“Bluey” – is it a good series for children and families?

Anyone who has ever been on the internet knows that outrage is never in short supply. When The Blaze published an article offering a bizarre takedown of the popular children’s television show “Bluey,” the online reaction was predictably swift and scathing.

The article, written by Jeremy Pryor and originally published on Substack, argues that the popular Australian show is not the heartwarming story of an animated family of anthropomorphic dogs that its legions of fans believe it to be. On the contrary, Pryor posits that “Bluey” is a kind of insidious cultural psy-op whose real purpose is “[turn] “Fathers become mothers” by removing “the essence of the elements from the historical father.”

The main object of Pryor’s ire is Bandit, the series’ widely praised father character, whose crimes against fatherhood appear to be his over-involvement with his daughters Bluey and Bingo as a “constantly caring, ever-present playmate.”

“He’s so present, in fact, that fans of the series often joke about when Bandit finds time to work, and in the series it’s clear that the mother has less time to play than the father,” Pryor wrote.

Most “Bluey” viewers now view Bandit as an aspirational figure: the kind of parent they hope to have and, in the case of fathers like me, hope to be. But Pryor sees something darker. He believes the show “empties the father character of all elements of the traditional male father,” dangerously undermining what Pryor describes as the Abrahamic “meta-father” role portrayed in the Bible.

That’s quite a reach. Pryor himself notes, “Even in the conservative Christian world, my position is a tiny minority, perhaps less than 1%.”

In fact, as the article made the rounds on social media, the comments section quickly filled with dozens of outraged parents voicing Pryor’s opinion, while others reached out to X to voice their displeasure. Opinion was largely unanimous: “Bluey” is a beautiful ode to the power of love, family and imagination, and Pryor sought to create nonexistent problems that fit his personal politics.

As a father of three and an avowed fan of the series, I agree with this consensus. And while I’m happy to make high-minded criticisms of a show aimed at preschoolers, I think it would help Pryor’s argument if it weren’t fundamentally flawed.

While Pryor sees Bandit as a destructive force tailored to undermine Christian values, I see a playful but responsible father who embodies many of the qualities the Bible encourages men to embody as fathers.

Bandit is actively involved in family life

As Pryor notes, Bandit is not a passive or distant father, but rather is fully committed to raising his daughters—whether that’s playing imaginative games, teaching them life lessons, or being a comforting companion when things go wrong. Pryor may see this as a betrayal of “traditional fatherhood,” but the Bible specifically calls fathers to take a proactive role in their children’s lives.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 the Lord says, “These commandments which I give you today shall be upon your hearts.” Impress them on your children. Talk about it when you sit at home and when you walk down the street, when you lie down and when you get up.” Bandit’s willingness to be present and attentive to his children reflects this divine call to actively teach and guide, albeit through playful and loving engagement.

Bandit balances education and discipline

Many parents find it difficult to find the right balance between care and discipline at home. Not Bandit. He corrects Bluey and Bingo when necessary, but always does so with kindness and a desire to help them grow.

This admirable approach reflects the Apostle Paul’s challenge to fathers not to be overly harsh or domineering. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” By Bandit, he managed to teach his daughters life lessons without ever overbearingly punishing their mistakes , Bandit has cracked this particular biblical code in a way that I can only hope one day succeeds.

Bandit represents sacrifice and hard work

Fatherhood in “Bluey” isn’t all fun and games. Bandit often sacrifices his own time, interests and comfort for the benefit of his family – a key element of biblical fatherhood. Ephesians 5:25 teaches that husbands (and therefore fathers) should strive to reflect Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church in their family life: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. “

Bandit’s willingness to put his own needs aside to prioritize the well-being of his family is a modern reflection of this sacrificial love. Whether he’s forgoing sleep to soothe a child or engaging in strenuous make-believe play, Bandit represents a father who puts first things first, even at personal cost.

Bandit shows patience and gentleness

Raising young children rarely goes smoothly, and Bandit experiences many moments that could test anyone’s patience – but he rarely loses his temper. His calm demeanor in frustrating moments exemplifies the admonition of James 1:19: “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Bandit embodies this wisdom by often pausing before reacting to stressful situations, and himself chooses to listen to his daughters and deal with them in a calm and measured manner.

This gentleness reflects the loving care that God has for His children. Psalm 103:13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Bandit’s gentle approach to leading his daughters reflects the compassion and care he has for both fatherhood as well as biblical teaching are of central importance.

Bandit encourages his children’s independence

While Bandit is a caring and present father, he also encourages his children to solve problems on their own and develop resilience. He doesn’t control their every move or prevent them from making mistakes. Instead, he does what the Bible commands in Proverbs 22:6: “Give children the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn away from it.”

Bandit sets his daughters on the right path by allowing them to learn from their experiences while providing them with the support and guidance they need. By encouraging their independence, Bandit reflects the biblical mandate for fathers to raise their children to be capable and wise people who are equipped to meet life’s challenges.

Parenting is hard and no real father should be held to the standard of a cartoon dog. After all, most of us don’t have thoughtful television writers writing our every word and action. But we can still learn from the lessons of “Bluey” and strive to emulate them. In a world where it’s difficult to find positive examples of fatherhood, the series offers a wholesome and inspiring portrayal of a father who leads with love, wisdom and caring.

These are qualities that every father, Christian or not, can aspire to – no matter what the internet says.

Steve Pierce, a writer at Deseret, is a Democratic strategist and communications consultant who advises campaigns, causes and brands on messaging and strategy. He is a senior director at Bully Pulpit International, a communications company based in Washington, DC