There seems to be a stage in every toddler’s life where they become obsessed with vehicles. Recently, my three-year-old, Gungus, has entered this phase and just loves to play with his Choo Choo trains. There are two major players in the field of Train Kids shows; Chuggington and Thomas and Friends. I knew I had to make up my child’s mind about what show he would watch; for children shouldn’t be allowed to make their own decisions. I did research to figure out which show would not only distract him for the longest, but also which one would be the safest.
After reading several articles about how Thomas and Friends takes place in a Totalitarian Empire and that it teaches kids to be misogynistic, conservative, capitalist, and submissive, I decided my child should be raised on Chuggington instead. But when we watched a few episodes, I realized that Chuggington was much worse than the articles made it seem.
Chuggington follows several trains that work under a nameless, soulless entity known as Vee, who gives them commands via loudspeakers set up throughout the land. When “Trainees” Brewster, Koko, and Wilson bend to her every will, they are rewarded with Badges.
This may seem like an innocent enough premise, but upon further inspection, it becomes clear how disgusting and vile the messages the show teaches are. Badges have no value in Chuggington; they represent accomplishments and nothing else. These badges teach kids to do the work given to them no matter what; even if they aren’t getting compensated for their work. It’s almost like this show was designed by soulless capitalists to brainwash another generation of crotch-goblins to be their underpaid slaves.
The elderly are also portrayed in a negative light in this show. The only Steam Train in the show is called, “Old Puffer Pete,” and is depicted as useless and holding back the society. It’s clear that this is the subtle way of the writers to insinuate that the Elderly are of no use to society and should be cast out, a sentiment that can only be held when you decide the lives of others have no purpose if not to further your own gain.
It should come as no surprise that Chuggington has such a harmful capitalist and authoritarian message behind it; it was created for the purpose of competing with Thomas and Friends by selling more toys. The entire show was created for financial gain by tearing down others, resulting in the same sentiments being preached to its audience.
Clearly I cannot allow Gungus to watch this show any longer, for he could form a harmful, capitalist opinion. But I can’t allow Gungus to watch Thomas and Friends either for it also preaches terrifying authoritarian views. With all these major shows about trains preaching these horrifying methods, one thing has become clear to me: Trains are inherently evil. Society should do away with trains altogether in favor of a safer and more Politically Correct form of transportation.
I’ve been doing research on other TV Shows for my little Gungus to watch (We’re trying the Cars Franchise next) and recommend you find something other than a Train Show for your children to watch as well.
Thomas News Network 