* Focus on Child's Perspective: Cartoons often center around the experiences of children. This means their world is filtered through a child's perspective, where adults might be perceived as bigger, more imposing figures. The focus on the child's experience means adults, especially parents, aren't always central to the story.
* Simplified Storytelling: Cartoons are meant to be simple and digestible for young viewers. Complex family dynamics can be difficult to portray in a concise way. By minimizing the presence of parents, the narrative can focus on the child's adventures and challenges.
* Humor and Exaggeration: Cartoons are often filled with exaggerated features and humor. The disproportionate sizes of characters and the lack of detail on parents can contribute to this comedic effect.
* Cost and Production: In early cartoons, drawing detailed adult characters was time-consuming and expensive. Keeping parents in the background or minimizing their appearance simplified the animation process.
It's important to note that this isn't always the case. There are plenty of cartoons with well-developed, involved parents. Think of shows like "The Simpsons," "Rugrats," or "The Loud House," where parents play crucial roles in the narratives.
Ultimately, the prominence of parents in cartoons varies depending on the style, target audience, and the overall message the creators want to convey.