"The women of Bikini Kill let guitarist Billy Karren be in their feminist punk band, but only if he's willing to just "do some shit." Being a feminist dude is like that. We may ask you to "do some shit" for the band, but you don't get to be Kathleen Hannah."--@heatherurehere


Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Tuesday Gender in Comics: Some Positive Role Models

In a break from the traditional posts on comics, I bring you a coupla comics from Lio, which bring me some hope regarding pop-culture and traditional gender roles:


Ok, sure, there is a certain amount of boys-will-be-boys stuff going on in the second strip, but what I see is love between father and son. Lio's dad is raising him on his own, and Lio isn't exactly the easiest kid to raise (he often builds robot replicas of himself to get out of doing something, for instance, and takes his Giant Squid Pet to places where mahem ensues). Traditionally in comic strips, you see fathers (especially) disciplining their sons, if you see dads interacting with their sons at all...but here's dad, loving his son, and Lio loving him back. It's just nice to see.

6 comments:

Sweating Through fog said...

Thanks for that strip - it is nice

Anonymous said...

If you like manga you should check out Yotsuba! It's the story of a 5 year old girl named Yotsuba living with her (single) adoptive father.

Jeff Pollet said...

Thanks, stf. It's nice when you and I can find a place of agreement. :)

marytracy9--thanks for the recommendation. I'm always on the lookout for other things to spend my money on in the comic shop!

Unknown said...

Not sure what comics you have been reading but fathers interacting or trying to interact with their sons and or daughters is rather common.

mintz said...

Froth... most comics show the dads being dicks and real ass holes.. like Calvin and Hobbs and The Family Circus and Dennis the Mennis has the kids beings hellions and the dad as a victim... Lio has the dad loving the child unconditional and showing pride in his child.. It is Very Generation X mentality on parenting.. I love it.

mintz said...

Froth.. There are many jerks for dads in the Comic strips.. Calvin's dad in Calvin and Hobbs is an asshole, the Family Circus dad is a bitter stern and battle weary dad.. never do I ever see him hug his kids in any of the stips. Even Sally Forth's dad is not all that doting. Lio's dad's love is unconditional, he is not afraid to show affection and he tolerates him with loving endearment. He is the perfect example of a Generation X parent... a 30 something parent in today's world.