The Magic School Bus & the "Default Male"
In class, we discussed Perez’s idea of the “default male,” or how men are seen as the default in different parts of our society. One example of an area in which women often feel unwelcome is the STEM field. Not only are most STEM careers male-dominated, but educational science material and science-y TV and movies usually center men. For example, those plastic human models you see in biology classes to help learn about human anatomy are almost always modeled after a male body. I can’t name a single nature or science show hosted by a woman, and as a young girl, I didn’t feel represented in science-related media. That’s not to say those shows narrated and hosted by women don’t exist, but almost all the shows and documentaries I grew up watching, like Bill Nye and National Geographic & BBC docs, are hosted or narrated by men.
The Magic School Bus is the only science show I remember watching growing up with a female main character (Ms. Frizzle!) and looking back, I think it’s fair to say it’s a feminist show. The show features a diverse set of characters, and I think it does a good job of depicting inclusion and equality among students. Additionally, Ms. Frizzle, always decked out in whimsical dresses and earrings, shows her audience that having a love for science and having traditionally feminine interests are not mutually exclusive. This may be just a small detail, but when it’s seen as unusual for women to be interested in science, I think it’s important to show that we shouldn’t have to tone down our femininity to fit into the STEM world.
As amazing as The Magic School Bus was for showing diversity and inclusion in science and in the classroom, there have been criticisms of the 2017 Netflix reboot, The Magic School Bus Rides Again. There are lots of tweets calling out the show’s obvious whitewashing of its black characters, Keesha and Tim, who have noticeably lighter skin in the remake, and Wanda, an Asian character. These criticisms are a reminder that, while shows like The Magic School Bus (and more recent shows like Doc McStuffins and Ada Twist, Scientist) have taken strides towards showing young people there is space for everyone in science, there are still steps to be taken before men are no longer seen as the “default” scientist.
It's definitely true that the STEM field is male-dominated, and that is reflected in shows. I think in the Perez reading it was stated that when kids were asked to draw a doctor or an engineer they drew men. It's harmful to see only men in children's shows occupying such roles. It is getting better though now that more and more females are showing up as lead roles in children's shows.
ReplyDeleteI think this is really interesting! At my elementary school, if there was a new concept we were learning, and Bill Nye covered it, we’d learn from him. However, Magic School Bus was just for fun. Our teachers would put on an episode during a break, or if there was extra time in class… we never really used it to learn. It was sillier, and like you say, more feminine, and considering Texas schools, I might attribute our not watching it as much to Ms. Frizzle’s femininity. So, I do think it’s awesome that we’ve got a STEM show like this, but I wonder if it’s taken as seriously because of the starring woman.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think this is such an interesting and important topic to bring up when talking about women in STEM visibility. Often people discounting the problem of disproportionately low numbers of non-men in STEM fields argue that there's no inherent restriction against women taking a STEM class or pursuing a STEM career. However, the lack of representation in media and society of women in science and math fields is also a harmful factor, even if its not a cut-and-dry law. I think the Magic School Bus is a great combatant to that. I do also agree with Ivy's point though; is there something to be said about how the Magic School Bus is more of a fantastical and funny show, with Ms. Frizzle being depicted as a bit 'off-her rocker,' and also just as a high school teacher rather than a scientist? I'm not entirely sure.
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