There’s a vocal contingent of fans of Steven Universe crying out for more representation. Why aren’t there MALE Crystal Gems, they bleat and moan, even though Gems are genderless and their physical bodies shape-shifted manifestations that almost but not quite approximate human bodies.
This complaint manages to miss one point entirely, that Steven’s world is almost completely devoid of moms. There’s one place where men are dominant and its in parenting roles.
Steven’s mom, Rose Quartz, is famously absent. Onion’s mom has (apparently) been seen in flash back but it’s his dad we’ve seen a few times day to day and who Sour Cream mentions as a parental figure. The Pizza family has a matriarch, but Jenny and Kiki’s mom isn’t there. The Fryman family is all male, a father and two sons. Buck Dewey’s dad is the mayor, his mom hasn’t been seen. The only moms we HAVE seen/heard about are Connie’s, and Sadie’s mom who still makes her lunches.
Men play a big role in Steven Universe. They are supportive and caring and they might not understand their weird kids they still love and protect them. They do the physical and emotional work that’s usually expected of women, and they do it whole-heartedly. They are kind and brave and selfless and strong.
It’s a portrait of masculinity that we rarely see, in a world where men are generally portrayed in shows, commercials, etc as bumbling fools who need to be parented by their wives. It’s beautiful.
Steven Universe and Moms and Dads
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theluminouscosmos 