Do you want to build a snowperson?
The BBC has taken a step in the name of gender neutrality in children’s TV programming – and for some it’s a step too far.
Some viewers of CBeebies show Catie’s Amazing Machines were surprised at a recent episode in which snowmen were referred to as ‘snowpeople’.
“Snow is amazing,” presenter Catie Munnings said.
“You get to build snow people and go sledging.”
Though the BBC hasn’t commented, it’s been interpreted as an attempt at un-gendering snowmen.
The line was picked up by some parents who started a debate online.
A number of those who had heard it slammed the use of ‘snow people’ as political correctness gone mad while one even accused the BBC of trying to ‘indoctrinate’ kids.
Everything is getting beyond a joke now! It’s always been snowman, snowpeople doesn’t even sound right. Leave it the way it was! Pathetic!
— Sadie Jones (@SadieBaby_x) November 5, 2018
Watched Catie’s Amazing Machines with my 4 year old this morning as she loves it. However…
Snowpeople?! Really?! WTF are Snowpeople? Do they really require a gender? Even my 4 yo said it was a silly word cos they’re snowmen
Fact. #CBeebies #fail #bbc— L A U R A C L A I R (@laura__clair) November 5, 2018
I don’t swear that often – but @BBC @CBeebiesHQ please Fuck right off with this nonsense ? https://t.co/IKX78hX2l6
— Karma Chameleon (@Mashcat) November 5, 2018
Oh ffs, this is actually going too far. So anything with ‘man’ should be replaced to people? This is ridiculous
— Pimp named Slickback (@thatgirltammy) November 5, 2018
Put #cbeebies on for my daughter and they are referring to “snow people”. More PC garbage and indoctrination from the @BBC. Another reason to abolish the licence fee.#banthebbc
— Simon Gurd ??????? (@residentethel) October 31, 2018
For others, using ‘snow people’ instead of snowmen is no big deal.
I do see why – firemen are now firefighters and so they should be. There’s no problem with changing our language to snowpeople. If we all did ‘snowmen’ would feel very antiquated
— Jessica Morgan (@cornwalljess) November 5, 2018
Given that figures made from snow don’t generally have genitalia, unless you’re being really childish, ‘snowperson’ seems to make perfect sense to me.
— Amy Downes (@MumFullofDreams) November 5, 2018
In a few years no one will bat an eyelid. It’s how we evolve. I like ‘snow folk’ too ☃️
— Cliff Broadhurst ???? (@CliffBeee) November 5, 2018
I’ve always called them snowpeople. And the sort of people who have a problem with that, I’ve tended to call arseholes.
— Patrick Meehan (@padithedon) November 5, 2018
To the people freaking out about CBBC calling snowmen snowpeople, spouting shit like, “what is the world coming to?”, there are literal Nazis running around the place Sharon. Have some fucking perspective…
— Mark Smith? (@ZeroMark26) November 5, 2018
What do you think – is there any harm in rethinking our gendered language or do you think this is taking things too far? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
