My children regularly ask for special TV time to watch the latest and greatest shows circulating throughout other kindergarten households. Over the past few years, I have repeatedly been disappointed; the shows are often extremely political and progressive, filled with bizarre fantasy to the point that children cannot relate to the narrative, or fail to impart any meaningful lessons. So, when my son came home a few months ago and suggested that we watch Bluey—an Australian cartoon about a family of Heeler dogs—I was not particularly enthusiastic. After watching the show with my son during holidays and breaks, Bluey pleasantly surprised and even shocked me because it was so simple and mundane. The show depicts a traditional family experiencing life and learning to manage the agony and ecstasy of two inquisitive girls growing up and learning how to navigate the world. This simple approach is so rare and powerful today that I strongly suggest Bluey should be embraced by conservatives, for it teaches children the about the power of family and its connection to a robust civil sphere.
The show focuses on a family of four dogs living in a comfortable home in a Brisbane neighborhood and is driven by the life and development of Bluey, an anthropomorphic six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy who is incredibly curious, energetic, and imaginative. While there is a host of characters and family members, the other key players include Bluey’s younger sister Bingo and her parents Bandit and Chilli.
Rather than tell stories of cartoonish figures in purely fictional, wish-granting, superhero-laden, fairy-tale worlds, each episode tells very relatable stories, from learning how to grow through conquering a jungle gym or riding a bike to shopping at a big-box hardware store. The show is about the normal and commonplace issues that all families face—from waiting for food at a restaurant to forgetting sunscreen at the pool—but with a background of parents and children who engage with their imaginations, play, and solve problems in a setting of real love and unconditional support. In a world of so much TV violence and political overtones, watching a main character learn how to persevere with the support of her family is both refreshing and inspiring. My children and I loved watching the Bluey and her sister learn to ride bikes and conquer their fears of the monkey bars on the playground. The parents were there, cheering them on and celebrating their successes in a way that I and many other parents try to with our own families, and this helped me grow closer to my own children.
Particularly valuable is Bluey’s deeply loving and connected set of friends and extended family. She also has two professional and working parents—and notably, a strong traditional and present father figure not in the mold of Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin, two figures that were so dominant in my life. Bluey’s parents are rare for modern television; they are fallible, yet deeply committed to their family and careers.
The parents make sacrifices for their children, too. In one particular episode, Bluey finds her father asleep on the floor seemingly clutching a ball. . Bluey’s mom notes that he must be dreaming about playing touch football, something he loves but rarely does since he is too busy at work and being a parent. In the morning, after a dream about her dad and their life together, Bluey greets her father in the kitchen, embraces him, and thanks him lovingly by saying, “Hey Dad . . . thanks for looking after us.”
Bluey’s exchange with her father is a simple but profound message in today’s environment of distractions and family decline. Viewers are given a chance to see an appreciative daughter and, more importantly, a dedicated father who serves as a role model, playmate, and guardian—a responsible adult that puts his family’s needs above his pleasures and pursuits. Bluey’s mother plays an anchoring role in the family, while the father is a bit more fun. Viewers see parents work maturely with their children to explore and be curious about the world. The show offers real insights into contemporary family life without political grandstanding.
As such, conservatives—whether or not they have children and families of their own—should cheer for Bluey. This show confronts reality in a mature, family-friendly way and embraces institutions and roles that have held society together for centuries, presenting life lessons in a heartwarming way to young viewers. Unlike noisy, lesson-less shows like Paw Patrol or the heavy-handed politics present in Sesame Street, Bluey focuses on a family with parents who want to support and nurture their children. I am so grateful that my son introduced me to this fantastic show. Bluey‘s recent popularity is well deserved and demonstrates there is a market for positivity, reality, and family. We should all be cheering for more content like Bluey.
Samuel J. Abrams is a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
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