Steven Universe is the perfect cartoon for introducing kids to progressive ideas without confusing them or indoctrinating them. It’s subtle and integrates these ideas so flawlessly that kids don’t realize they’re learning anything at all. My nieces have a very religious, narrow-minded dad and I’m so happy that they’re able to grow up more tolerant than him in large part because of this show. If they were shown something like “Queer Kids Stuff” (god I hate that channel) and started throwing around words like “pansexual” and “queer”, their dad would punish them and force his beliefs onto them.  

But, because they watch SU, all I had to do was say “they’re like Ruby and Sapphire” when one of my nieces expressed confusion with a gay couple. She instantly understood and doesn’t think gay couples are weird anymore. Or, when Stevonnie was trimming their facial hair and one asked, “why is she growing a beard?” I just explained that Stevonnie is both a boy and a girl which is why they can grow a beard, while also mentioning that they go by ‘they’. She understood this, because she knows Stevonnie is literally a fusion of a boy and a girl. But, these ideas will follow them into adolescence and adulthood. So maybe when they see someone gender non-conforming, or someone tells them they use they/them pronouns… they will be less likely to question it. 

It’s not a politically charged show, which is important. It just preaches tolerance, acceptance and diversity. I’m not saying every kid should watch SU, but if they’re in a similar situation as my nieces it could really help them avoid inheriting the same bigoted beliefs as their parents. Say what you want about SU catering to “liberal SJW snowflakes”… but I feel it’s just a great show for kids.