13 Cartoon Characters Who Defied Gender Stereotypes

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13 Cartoon Characters Who Defied Gender Stereotypes

These characters truly challenged gender stereotypes!

Nickelodeon/Disney

Cartoons have provided entertainment ever since animation was originally released. We attach to cartoon characters just as much as we do live action, and we love to see representation within the shows we watch.

Here's a look at 13 characters who defied normalized gender stereotypes, as well as where they came from.

1. Regina "Reggie" Rocket from Rocket Power

Nickelodeon

Otto's older sister Reggie Rocket not only skates, surfs and plays hockey alongside all her guy friends, she also publishes her own 'zine, feeding her dream of becoming a published writer.

2. Charlotte Pickles from 'Rugrats'

Nickelodeon

Anglica's mom may be portrayed as being overbearing and intense, but she is the breadwinner of the family, and being a full-time working mom is a big job.

3. Ashley "Spinelli" from 'Recess'

Disney

Known as the tomboy of Recess, Spinelli won't even go by her first name so as not to have any relations to the girly-girl bitches known as "The Ashleys."

4. Roger (the alien) from 'American Dad'

Fox

Roger, American Dad's best character, is known for his neverending repertoire of disguises; he plays as many women as he does men. And even though he's not technically a human, he's easily the most famous gender-bending character since Bugs Bunny.

5. Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup from 'The Powerpuff Girls'

Cartoon Network

Sugar, spice and everything nice, plus a dash of Chemical X created these little superheroines, who spend their time fighting crime and shattering the idea that heroes must always be boys.

6. Chas Finster from 'Rugrats'

Nickelodeon

Sensitive and soft spoken Chas, Chuckie's father and single-parent broke the idea that women are the only people raising children on their own.

7. Dr. Hutchison from 'Rocko's Modern Life'

Nickelodeon

8. Elizabeth "Betty" DeVille from 'Rugrats'

Nickelodeon

Donned with a female-symbol sweatshirt, tennis shoes and a headband, Betty DeVille is the butchest straight woman children's television has ever seen, which so eloquently shatters the gender stereotype that "masculine" women can't be straight.

9. Eliza Thornberry from 'The Wild Thornberries'

Nickelodeon

Eliza Thornberry's entire life was consumed by her power to speak to animals, an ability that allowed her to save many animals in need, a protagonist role that would generally be given to a boy.

10. Patti Mayonnaise Doug

Nickelodeon

Doug had many reasons to love Patti Mayonnaise, but let's not forget that she was very into athletics. Known for sinking hoops and hitting runs, Patti wasn't afraid to shy away from typical feminine activities.

11. Kim Possible

Disney

Kim not only breaks stereotypes by having a male sidekick, she's also a talented cheerleader and avid gamer. So many different interests wrapped into one very cool girl.

12. Timothy O'Neill from 'Daria'

MTV

Sensitive, effeminate English teacher Tim O'Neill likes to encourage emotional development, without really having a grasp on his own, very volatile feelings. When he starts crying, no one is surprised.

13. Penny Proud from 'The Proud Family'

Disney

Even though this girly girl sings, makes straight As and writes for the newspaper, her best friend is a boy and she plays football. Because she's a little badass.

| 07/20/23