Am I too analytical?

OK...so we were watching the nephews on Friday, and the two year old has a major Backyardigans addiction. Unfortunately, we only had one episode on the DVR (we quickly set up some more to tape so we don't run into this next time), so we had to watch that one episode about 4 times. For those parents subjected to the Backyardigans on a regular basis, it was the Luau brothers episode...and after the second run-through of the show, I actually caught onto the plot (ok, plot may be a loose term). And I was disturbed.

So, the Backyardigans boys, Tyrone, Pablo and Austin are the Luau Brothers - spouting Hawaiian words here and there and wearing tropical swim trunks. Their Luau is interrupted by the Volcano Sisters, who are angry and are threatening to erupt the volcano. They tell the Luau brothers that we want something, and if they don't get what they want, they'll erupt the volcano. And, of course, they won't tell the boys what it is that they want. The boys have to guess, and if they get it wrong, the volcano will blow.

So at this point, I'm quite disturbed by the gender stereotypes. Girls, being demanding and threatening destruction if their demands are not met? I get the feeling that one of the writers had a fight with his wife right before writing this episode. She must have wanted something, and he had no idea what it was, and so she blew up at him for not being more understanding of her needs. Or something along those lines.

When expressing my concern about the gender themes in cartoons today, the wife pointed out two things...first, the boy is 2, and only gets the bright colors and catchy tunes. And second, I need to stop being so analytical...it's just a cartoon. Maybe...but I can see myself in a few years saying "honey - you know this is pretend, right? Girls in real life are nice, they explain what they want, and they dont' threaten to blow things up." Poor kids are going to grow up all nutty like me.


PS - the Volcano sisters ended up wanting an invitation to the Luau. Just like a woman to complain about being left home alone while the boys go out and party. ;-)