I’m in the midst of a serious nostalgia trip this afternoon thanks to a variety of sites that have enabled me to watch The Jetsons, The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, and a slew of other classic cartoons from the 70s, 80s and earlier. It’s a really nice way to revisit elements of my youth, when I’d spend countless hours on Saturday mornings glued to the television screen.

I have to say that the plethora of online video services are a fantastic ways to drive down memory lane. I’d be very unlikely to gain such easy access to these shows otherwise, but in a weird sort of way I also sometimes morn its immediacy. I remember the growing excitement I’d experience during the lead up to the weekend, with Saturday morning marking the centre of the weekly calendar. Now entire seasons can be purchased on DVDs, or downloaded as torrents from the internet. It’s almost as if the immediacy of access has also inspired a greater sense of impatience and need for instant gratification.

I’m not sure if saying this contradicts everything I’ve ever said on this blog; it’s just where my head’s at right now.

The other interesting observation I made when watching these clips is the unspoken social dynamic that’s depicted. In that sense it seems as though cartoons can provide a clear window into the social norms and unspoken roles of an era.

In the embedded clip for example, George Jetson has to dress up as a woman in order to go for a job as a secretary; and the opening segment always shows Jane Jetson heading off to shop rather than going to work. Likewise shows like Leave It To Beaver and Happy Days both had the wife at home and the husband working, while Scooby Doo, and The Smurfs always portraying the girl tripping or in need of rescue (in this case Daphne and Smurfette respectively).

Attitudes about guns, smoking and violence also significantly different – at least as I can recall. One episode of Bugs Bunny in particular jumps out at me here. It was a reenactment of the Tortoise and the Hare story, with Bugs Bunny expecting to win and therefore not trying hard at all. When he realises he’s far behind the tortoise he decides to cheat and hires help to slow the tortoise down. Unfortunately his hired goons mistake Bugs Bunny’s racing suit for the tortoise, costing Bugs the race (oddly enough the suit is shaped like a tortoise shell). The episode ends with the group pulling out a revolver and shooting themselves in the head. It striked me odd even at the time, today I’m horrified they were ever able to get it on a childrens show.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the last time I saw the clip (now several years ago) that last sequence had been removed.

At the time I didn’t think anything of it, but now 25 years later the social implications are clear. I also note the significant shortages of minorities in cartoons – at least as equal billing to the white, male characters.

Almost certainly there will be shows today which are poor role-models for children, but comparing Then to Now, there definitely seems to be more diversity in the characters portrayed in shows, both with respect to women and minorities.

That said there are still areas which have yet to be adequately broached. I’m hard pressed to think of a single episode – let alone show – where a same sex couple was portrayed. I can also not think of any cartoons where interracial couples have been portrayed either – though I suspect the latter has been referenced and I’m just not thinking of any.

I do recall the outrage of the religious conservative right regarding their belief that one of the Teletubbies carried a purse, and that it amounted to an attempt to subversively introduce lessons on acceptance of homosexuality. As I recall that character was pulled from the show, however having never watched it I can’t be sure. If cartoons are indeed a mirror to society it would seem that, while progress is slowly being made in acceptance of homosexuality, it’s still largely considered a taboo topic.