A cartoon role model makes sense
The world media has been portraying female role models through characters of television shows for a long time. Subliminal and otherwise, these characters do influence the female viewers. Lisa Simpson, from the animated show ‘The Simpsons’ is a mathematical genius and has an interest in social sciences, arts, music, and history. Where Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian mathematician who recently won the Fields Medal can influence females around the world, perhaps Lisa Simpson can do the same or perhaps she is already doing it. This may be because Lisa can respond and react the way she feels like - without thinking about the possible consequences - as a real girl would do.
Moreover, Lisa’s dialogues are a representation of an average female girl residing in the US and these emotions are the same no matter what the geographical location of the viewer. Lisa speaks her mind, confronts her father, argues with the school principal, talks rationally with her brother and eventually convinces everyone who opposes her valid arguments regarding an issue.
Furthermore, animated and fictional characters have been a source of inspiration and an effective role model for the viewers because they perceive these characters as a representation of an idea, which they themselves feel or want to become.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Not a reality
I grew up watching The Simpsons. It is one of my favourite shows and in a large way defines my childhood, however, the achievements of a fictional character will never compare to what a real person does in the real world. This would be like giving Han Solo from ‘Star Wars’ a Nobel Prize in physics because he made the “Kessel Run” in less than 12 parsecs. Niels Bohr and Sir Isaac Newton will always be better role models than Han Solo.
From Mr Cole Taylor
Greenville, US
We know Lisa better
It’s interesting because we’ve been exposed to Lisa Simpson’s moral compass for 25 years, so we know her views on pretty much everything. I could not tell you, however, what Mirzakhani thinks about animal rights, equality or the place of religion in society. Just on available information, I would say Lisa is a better role model just because we know more about her. I hope that is in no way disparaging to Mirzakhani because she is more accomplished than I will ever be and is undoubtedly a great role model for women and men everywhere!
From Mr Will Dennis
UAE
This is sad
I think it’s sad that we have come to a time in our society where we would even consider a cartoon character as a role model. Let’s live in reality for a bit, shall we?
From Ms Melissa Bee
London, Canada
Is it that bad?
I understand where you are coming from, but if the cartoon character is positive and reaches a wider audience, is that necessarily bad?
From Ms Cathy W.
UAE
Defining ‘effective’
To be ‘effective’ means to produce a desired or intended result. If the desired result is to get her message out there to a broad and large audience, then yes, Lisa is more effective than Mirzakhani. However, is it a fair comparison? Lisa is in a television show, which like all shows, is created with the same desired result to be seen by a huge amount of people. It hardly matters if the characters are meant to be role models or not. Lisa just happens to display certain attributes that make her role model material and she happens to be placed in a vehicle that delivers her to a wide audience.
From Ms Lee Ann Fit
Oman
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