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London Fire Brigade Accuse Peppa Pig Of Sexism For Using The Word 'Fireman'

London Fire Brigade Accuse Peppa Pig Of Sexism For Using The Word 'Fireman'

The fire brigade described the word as 'out of date stereotypical gender specific wording'

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

The hugely popular children's cartoon Peppa Pig has been accused of sexism for using the word 'fireman'.

To clarify, Peppa herself didn't actually use the term. Rather, the show's narrator did in the episode 'The Fire Engine'.

But London Fire Brigade were clearly not impressed that it cropped up in the show, responding to a clip from the episode on Twitter by accusing the programme of using outdated, stereotyping language.

The tweet read: "Come on @Peppa Pig, we've not been firemen for 30 years.

"You have a huge influence on kids [and] using out of date stereotypical gender specific wording prevents young girls from becoming firefighters."

'The Fire Engine' was first aired 10 years ago, and many people on social media pointed out that the episode sees female characters taking up the roles of firefighters to save the dads, who mess up a barbecue.

Indeed, the majority of people on Twitter seemed to think the fire brigade should focus on fighting fires rather than a cartoon pig.

One person said: "You have never watched the show properly. Ms Rabbit does nearly everything in the show, shop owner, helicopter pilot, rescue, you name it! Give her a break, let someone handle the fire duties."

Another said: "If someone doesn't want to be a firefighter because @peppapig said firemen they need to have a word with themselves."

A third added: "It's a cartoon with a make believe pig."

The female characters put out a fire caused by the dads in 'The Fire Engine' episode.
Entertainment One/Peppa Pig

But London Fire Brigade told LADbible it has been proven that outdated language choices can prevent women from pursuing particular careers.

A spokesperson said: "We need to challenge outdated language that our research is showing is stopping young girls and women from considering firefighting as a rewarding and professional career.

"It was widely reported that a four-year-old named Esme came home and said she couldn't be a firefighter because she was a girl. This shows that children's cartoons make a huge impression on young people and it's time for all media to treat us with respect and call us firefighters - as we have been for the past 30 years."

LADbible has contacted the makers of Peppa Pig, Entertainment One, for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Entertainment One/Peppa Pig

Topics: UK News, TV and Film