If you have a younger sibling, child, cousin, or if you're at that high school to college age where cartoons are cool again, then you've probably heard of a show called "Steven Universe." For those unfamiliar with the show, a quick summary would say that it's equal parts sci-fi, fantasy, musical, family sitcom, and drama. The show centers around a young boy named Steven Universe who is raised by his single dad and his deceased mother's best friends, who just so happen to be aliens. However, the alien mothers aren't even the most out-of-this-world aspect of the show and not the one this article is focusing on.
"Steven Universe" has a lot of groundbreaking aspects, such as their stance on gender and gender roles. The show gives a very positive view of gender equality and all but destroys the idea of gendering things like color, clothes, toys and more. Steven's entire color scheme centers around the color pink, a color usually reserved for girls in our heavily gendered society. He fights with a pink shield, incorporates pink into some of his outfits, has a pink pet lion, and most of his magic powers form in pink as well.
Steven's wardrobe has made some bold statements on gender throughout the show, and not just with color. In the episode "Sadie's Song" Steven goes on stage at a talent show in full makeup, heels, a midriff top, and a skirt. In most shows this sort of scene would be considered humorous. All too often we see the idea of a man in a dress as awkward or funny, as television likes to present it. However, Steven appears confident and beautiful as the scene begins with a close-up of his sparkling eyes and thick eyelashes. The crowd at the talent show simply agrees that this behavior is classic Steven, referring to the dramatics rather than the dress, and makes not a single disparaging comment. They treat the outfit as totally normal, never making fun of Steven.
There's more to the role breaking than just color and clothes, emotion also plays a key role in the accepting viewpoint this show takes. "Man up" is never once said in this show. Instead, our male protagonist is allowed to and even encouraged to show emotion, whether this is the typical Steven behavior of laughing and being sweet to everyone he meets, or crying openly in front of people without shame. Steven is naturally kind, and always seeks to make friends before fighting. The archetype of male hero gets turned upside down. Instead of being angry and tough, Steven is loving and gentle. This isn't seen as a weakness but is his greatest power which gains him all of his victories. Often, it is Steven's befriending of the villain that saves the day.
Steven isn't the only one showing a more accepting idea of gender, other characters on the show break stereotypes as well. In the episode "Island Adventure" two side characters, Sadie and Lars, are stranded with Steven on an island. The usual gender dynamic is reversed as Sadie hunts for their food and Lars cooks it. Sadie continues to be the tough one of the group as she fights to defend the boys from a monster, and is drawn with the leg hair a woman would grow if she was stranded far from razors for a few days.
On this show, each gender is shown engaging in behaviors usually considered strange for them. Boys cry and girls fight, boys blush and girls turn down romance, and the entire time these variations are shown as positive. These examples tell kids that gender doesn't dictate their behavior, and gives audiences one more reason to tune in to "Steven Universe."
