The High Council for Gender Equality (HCE) has released its annual report on the state of sexism in France for 2025. Among the various topics addressed, a well-known series of children’s books is facing criticism: the “Mr. Men” collection. Behind its colorful characters and simple stories, the institution highlights an imbalanced gender representation that perpetuates stereotypes.
📖 Stereotypes Well Established
The HCE report highlights striking differences in how male and female characters are portrayed in the Mr. Men collection. Female characters are often defined by their appearance or social behavior, with names like Mrs. Beauty, Mrs. Fancy, or Mrs. Shy. In contrast, male characters are more often associated with dynamic or independent traits, such as Mr. Fast, Mr. Strong, or Mr. Adventurous.
This imbalance, according to the HCE, reinforces preconceived notions about the roles of men and women from a young age. The study also points out the lack of gender-equivalent qualities, further solidifying the idea that certain character traits are exclusively male or female.
🚸 An Influence on Children’s Identity Formation
Children’s literature plays a crucial role in shaping children’s representations. When exposed to stereotyped narratives from a young age, children unconsciously absorb social norms that influence their view of the world and themselves. If a little boy does not identify with the image of an adventurer or a strong figure, or if a little girl does not connect with figures of gentleness and appearance, these representations can impact their self-confidence and future aspirations.
The HCE does not directly condemn the Mr. Men collection but emphasizes the need to offer more diverse and inclusive role models for children. It highlights that these books are not an isolated case, but a reflection of widespread biases in children’s literature.
🛠️ Progress, but Still a Long Way to Go
In response to recurring critiques regarding the lack of diversity and equal representation in children’s books, the publisher of Mr. Men has made some adjustments in recent years. The introduction of characters like Mrs. Invention, Mr. Calm, or Mrs. Courage in 2018 marked an attempt to evolve. However, these additions remain marginal compared to the stereotypes still prevalent in the majority of the titles.
Although these efforts are a step in the right direction, they are insufficient to compensate for decades of gendered representations deeply ingrained in the collective imagination. The HCE thus encourages publishers to continue these adjustments, diversifying character traits and providing inspiring figures for all children, regardless of gender.
📢 Towards a Growing Awareness in Children’s Publishing?
This criticism from the HCE reignites the broader debate about the impact of children’s stories on mentalities. More and more publishers are becoming aware of the fundamental role children’s books play in the transmission of equality and inclusion values.
Rather than advocating for censorship, the report emphasizes the importance of balance in representations to offer young readers a broader range of role models. While the Mr. Men collection is singled out, it is merely one example among others of the necessary evolution towards more representative and inclusive children’s literature.
