Far be it from me to claim to be any kind of an expert in the social sciences, but is this really worth the time and effort?!

I mean, when was the last time you heard someone with a conservative ideology referring back to their time in front of the Thomas the Tank Engine, as being somehow significant in forming their worldview.

Let’s look a little at how they frame this…

Storylines written for Thomas and his steam-powered friends appeared to “punish individual initiative”, the Canadian study found, while female characters were shunted into support roles only.

Punish individual initiative… while female characters were shunted into support roles only… Mmm, take note of the words “punish” and “shunted”… sounds positive?!

Just in case you didn’t get the point, after making some positive statements about some positive aspects, the AAP, where this story originates from, rams their perspective home…

“It also represents a conservative political ideology that punishes individual initiative, opposes critique and change, and relegates females to supportive roles,” she said.

In other words, you don’t want to have that nasty conservative ideology!

Time to take those Tank Engines off the shopping list?!

While, on the other hand, CN~NZ would agree with the following words…

“We tend to think of children’s TV shows as neutral and safe but they still carry messages,” she said.

It does sound a little of an overstretch to lay too much of the blame at Thomas’ feet!

“Eventually, these children will attain full political citizenship and the opinions and world outlook they develop now, partially influenced by shows like Thomas and Friends, are part of that process.”

Australia’s Professor Sue Grieshaber said children gained the ability to think about the subtle messages contained in programming, like Thomas the Tank Engine, from about age four or five.

Partially influenced by shows like Thomas and Friends… care to quantify?

What about the rest of what is on TV?  What agenda is this pushing?  So, giving this study credence, it is Thomas the Tank Engine versus pretty much all else that is on TV… sounds fair!

Instead of asking questions about Thomas the Tank Engine, one should be asking questions abut the “so-called” mainstream media, which this example illuminates, as it continues to frame conservative political ideology in a negative light!

If what they are affirming is true in Thomas the Tank Engine’s case, then something goes particularly awry from ages 6 onwards!

I can’t wait for the study that affirms that Noddy and Big Ears are really pushing liberalism!

You can read the whole article HERE!

What say you?

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin