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Miscellaneous See other Miscellaneous Articles Title: Thomas The Tank Engine branded 'right-wing, conservative and demeaning to women' Thomas The Tank Engine branded 'right-wing, conservative and demeaning to women' By David Wilkes Last updated at 6:22 PM on 09th December 2009 Generations of children have grown up enjoying the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine. It is probably pretty safe to say that few of them, however, have ever pondered the socio-political sub-text of the charming stories. If they had, they would have discovered the cheeky little train and his friends live in a world blighted by a 'conservative political ideology' and a rigid class system that stifles self-expression, according to startling new academic research. Thomas The Tank Engine: Demeaning to women Thomas The Tank Engine: Demeaning to women? Professor Shauna Wilton also found that women are under-represented in the stories and what few female characters there are tend to have 'secondary' roles or be bossy. What's more, she has warned that such negative messages about society subconsciously gleened from the show may drive its young fans off the rails in later life. Professor Wilton concluded that the themes are not 'constructive' after analysing the characters and plots of 23 different episodes of the television show. She was left feeling 'uncomfortable' by the way the colourful steam engines are punished if they show initiative or try to change their rank or role. Her research also highlights the class divide with Thomas and his fellow engine friends like Percy and James at the bottom of the social ladder and the Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt, at the top. Any attempt by the down-trodden workers to break out of this controlled hierarchy to gain individual power, show initiative or dissent is met with punishment, usually because it goes wrong, Professor Wilton found. In one episode, for example, Thomas whistles impatiently at a police officer and is replaced with a different engine as a punishment for showing dissent. Professor Wilton was also critical that only eight of the 49 characters in the shows she analysed were female. She said: 'It represents a conservative political ideology that punishes individual initiative, opposes critique and change, and relegates females to supportive roles. 'The female characters weren't necessarily portrayed any more negatively than the male characters or the male trains, but they did tend to play more secondary roles and they're often portrayed as being bossy or know-it-alls. 'We tend to think of children's TV shows as neutral and safe, but they still carry messages. 'Eventually these children will attain full political citizenship, and the opinions and world outlook they develop now, partially influenced by shows like Thomas, are part of that process.' The original books by Rev W.V.Awdry were first published in the 1940s. The stories later became a hugely popular animated children's televison series shown in 130 countries. Professor Wilton, from the department of political sciences at Alberta University, Canada, found that the show does portray some positive values, such as contributing to the community, tolerance of others and good communication. She was inspired to carry out her study after watching Thomas videos with her three year old daughter and being concerned at what she saw. Professor Wilton presented her findings at a conference and says there should be tighter controls of what is broadcast to children. Laura Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, described the research as 'unbelievable nonsense.' She said: 'I cannot believe anyone has the time and energy to do such a study. I'm surprised she hasn't singled out the Fat Controller as an example of fattism too. 'Children should just be left to enjoy the innocent fun of Thomas without the politically correct brigade stoking the fires and ruining their enjoyment.' Now a huge global industry, Thomas has had two theme parks opened in his honour, one at Drayton Manor near Tamworth in Staffordshire and one in Japan. The characters, created by Rev W V Awdry to entertain his son who was suffering from measles, have also helped to sell more than 200 million books and 50 million DVDs. Television programmes of the stories have been broadcast in 150 countries. In its early days the UK television version was boosted by voiceovers from former Beatle Ringo Starr for the first two series. A huge array of Thomas-themed merchandise is also available, from toys and duvet covers to cutlery and even spaghetti shapes. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1234547/Thomas-The-Tank-Engine-branded-right-wing-conservative-demeaning-women.html#ixzz0ZDYeJlKX
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#1. To: Pepper (#0)
And this observation was made by somebody who sits down looking for demons in children's television shows because she knows it all, then stomps her feet at us to do something about it in a bossy manner. Maybe Thomas is, oh I don't know, being rather accurate? :)
MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
Touche'
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