Doc McStuffins
A few weeks ago I was babysitting my little cousins. They are five, three, two, and 6 months- I know a busy house. As my aunt was leaving she was telling me that the kids were allowed to watch two shows before bedtime, and that was it. I was getting everything under control, and as she exited the door my cousin said, “and Brooklyn will beg to watch Doc McStuffins, but they can’t watch that one. Okay have fun”
Usually, I totally get if the kids aren’t allowed to watch a certain show. It could be too scary or mature and that makes sense. But, I have seen a few episodes of Doc McStuffins, it is just a wholesome show about a little girl playing veterinarian for her stuffed animals- cute right?
So when me cousin got home from her night I asked her why they couldn’t watch that show, and she explained that the little girl had two moms and although they weren’t shown much she didn’t want to normalize lesbian or gay relationships to her young children.
“Don’t get me wrong,” she said, “ I love and support that community, but my kids don’t need to grow up thinking that is an option, or normal.”
Growing up in a Catholic household, the ideas of sex and homosexuality were never discussed. Like Solomon who grew up in a conservative neighborhood, we too would never get “the talk.” Our parents would try so hard to hide these dirty or inappropriate ideas and conversations from us for our own good- as they would say. But the thing is, eventually kids find out. Whether they are 12 or 25, kids will learn what sex is and kids will come out as gay.
Sugar coating these ideas can lead to bigger consequences. It might seem like a wholesome story Solomon came up with- the bone juice from the man is delivered in a mason jar, with a bow, to the girl when there is a enough for a baby Skelton. But by withholding information what are we really doing for kids?
Even from a young age children should start being able to name all the parts of there body, with correct names not these silly made-up names. They should be taught about the basic social constructions for privacy, nudity, and respect for others in relationships. While learning what differentiates boy and girls, they should also learn that gender has a range of expression and isn’t always tied to you biological sex. No, we don’t have to tell our toddlers what sex is or, but we should create an environment that they can feel safe to ask questions about the roles of sexuality in relationships and feel safe to be open about their gender expression. Creating this safe place allows for children of all sexual identities to thrive.
So I do think my cousins should be introduced to this lesbian relationship in Doc McStuffins. Because although gender expression is a huge part of one’s identity, but it isn’t everything that makes them who they are. By normalizing homosexuality, children we start to see one another as the humans they really are. Not only will they become more accepting of gender expression, but they will not become fixed on it. We want to raise a generation that sees each other as human beings with depth and love.
