One day, I had gone out to breakfast with my dad. He and my mom are divorced, and so he and I get-together about once a week. We go out to eat, go to movies, and things like that. We had stopped at IHOP to get some food. Like usual, we talked over our food about our lives, what had been going on recently, and different kinds of media. When the media part of the conversation had come up, I started telling him about a Fox News Report that I saw. In the report, the news casters brought up the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic series, and how, despite the demographic, the series had attracted a large amount of fans who are older and who are males. "That' doesn't sound like a news story at all," I said, only starting to share my disappointment as I poured syrup on my pancakes. "Well," my dad started to inform me, "A company, that is affiliated with Fox News, recently took a major blow: They were found tapping phone lines to get their headlines - And, so, if it seems like that they're scraping the bottom of the barrel to get their stories, that's why." I took point of that as I continued between bites, "The thing that really irked me, though - besides the fact that it wasn't an actual news story - is that the people, who were talking about the fans, were laughing and saying how it was 'so sick.' I don't really see the big deal: It's just older men who enjoy My Little Pony." I quickly added on, "I have a few friends, who are guys, and they like My Little Pony - and, they're not sick at all." My dad paused, swallowed a mouthful of hash browns, and said, bluntly, "Think about why they like a show like that." I cocked my head abit as I chewed on bits of pancake, "What do you mean? It's a good series - and a guy liking My Little Pony would be no different than a girl liking Transformers." "But, what is the demographic for a show like My Little Pony?" He asked, again, very bluntly. "It's made for little girls," I answered. "Right, and so these men are probably getting into My Little Pony to prey on small girls," he said, "Hence why these people, on Fox News, find it sick." I wanted to rebuttal with a comeback of some sort, but I really couldn't think of anything that would support my side. I know that what my dad is claiming is not true - it may be true for an extremely small percentage of Friendship Is Magic fans, but it's definitely not true for the majority of the community. I don't want to turn my dad into a fan - not at all! I just want him to understand that the majority of the community aren't pedophiles; that it isn't what seems or looks like. Oh, and for people who want the links for the Fox News reports, here you are: "FOX Attacks Bronies" [YouTube] "RedEye on 'Bronies'" [YouTube] ~ Syd (RotundReptile)
I suggest try using this "My Little Pony Retrospective - G4" video. http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/vi...94-episode-58-my-little-pony-retrospective-g4 It's very funny and can easily explain why this show is so popular within 25 minutes.
It's unfortunate because it's going to take a lot to prove to him something so simple. The problem is that with everyone's mentality, anything that doesn't fit into the societal norm has to be rationalized in a "worst case scenario," so if someone likes a show for little girls in their minds it must be for the most horrible reason because it's so far from what they perceive as the norm, and thus comes the mental connection that bronies prey on little girls. The more abnormal something is from the societal norm, the more terrible they feel they must rationalize it. Getting him to break this thought process is going to be tough to say in the least.
That is an incredibly indirect idea for liking the show. I would've never seen an answer like that coming. It seems like a really poor basis for the news article, granted, it could be mildly accurate for the sickos out there. Still, the bulk of the demographic is people who enjoy the show, not people using it for darker motives.
Do as nuke said, show him the review. Your dad sounds like my grandparents only they assume I'm gay for liking the show. It will be a challenge to break your dad out of the preying on little girls mind set. Most people will refuse to allow something to change the way they view things. Over time you made be able to break him out of it.
Being raised in different eras impart different views that linger from societal views long past. That's how we ultimately take after our parents. Influenced by their lives, being that's what they know, raises us with the influence of theirs applied to our own. I'm fairly sure that's why the show is heavily associated with male viewers being gay by default.
Perhaps you need to remind him that it was also aimed for said little girls' parents? And it's not necessarily ridiculous for a TV show to fall subject to a different group than it was aimed for. Also, how can you target little girls through a TV? People these days are kind of rude... I feel pretty infuriated right now with Fox News. Once again, apparently having interests is blasphemous.
Well, I've lived with my grandparents for my whole life. If I were to follow their views, everyone here would hate me. They don't have the best views in the world, but being raised in the 40's will do that I guess.
I'd like to think I have the ability to see opinions through different viewpoints, and I can certainly see where your dad's coming from. Older men watching a programme which is targeted towards young girls isn't exactly the best contrast. However, I'm also quite opinionated, and I believe his perception of us is drastically wrong. Maybe you should show him a video or something explaining the show. Oh, and Thiessen's a brony, naturally because he works on the show. Do you think directors of little girls' shows are paedophiles? Didn't think so.
challenge him to watch one episode and say same thing again. all I had to do to get my dad to understand me watching mlp, was show him one episode (and he likes mlp himself (and watches with me and sister when he's over here))
I mentioned it to my parents, and my dad had a good laugh about it. I did talk them into watching both episodes of the Season 1 pilot, and since then we all are able to crack jokes since they have a better understanding. I think they're still a bit unsure about it, but they don't dislike it. Since my dad grew up on a ranch, his favorite pony is Applejack.
Hmmm, my dad's okay with it himself. He hasn't watched much, though... due to him falling asleep quickly after returning from work. But all my siblings love the show. They just hate the idea of anyone finding out I'm a brony. Which, several people know already anyways, so... :derpe: FAIL. Still, I appear to not be on the topic of this thread. So, to return to topic: Just show him the show, and ask him to be more open-minded while watching... I'm sure he'll find himself liking it as well. And if not, at least understand the concept a bit better.
Rainbow Dash is always an easy way to have people spontaneously explode from sheer epicness. Seriously, try showing him the pony songs such a Pony Swag and some of the rock ballads to prove to him that it's the real deal. Also, it's not right that watching shows for a different demographic is frowned upon...
^This is the main reason I'm confused by all the "You watch a show for little girls? YOU MUST BE A PEDOPHILE!!!!!" comments I've seen. I mean, seriously. What about grown men watching shows for little boys, huh? I bet most of them (including OP's dad it seems) wouldn't have a problem with that. :|
It's quite common for guys who are "too old to be watching cartoons anymore" to still enjoy watching cartoons; everything from Spongebob and Family Guy to from Ed, Edd & Eddy and Fosters Home for Imaginary friends. Which at worst makes you appear a bit immature, but typically no one cares. Same guys watching MLP:FiM..? Pedophiles. .....wtf
I find the thought that people call bronies gay pedophiles because they watch a show with a young female target audience. That point isn't very well thought out at all.
People just assume things because they think it's an obvious answer. Like..."Oh he's automatically gay for watching MLP." It's just a cartoon for god sakes, it's not like anyone cares about his/her opinions. We like the show. Nuff' said. ...and really? The term pedophiles? Anyways like I said, it's just a show. Nothing wrong about that.
