Animated Movies : Gender Stereotype In Animated Movies

Stefan Babich, a blogger for Periscope Magazine, a blog for women.Wrote a online article in 2011 that Brings up an issue many of us might not have even knew existed, that there is a lack of female protagonists in Pixar films. Babich brings up many points that are important to think about, because whether we realise it or not films,books,video games, and the media in general, at times do treat women to be less than their male counterparts.

This study set out to examine the differences of gender stereotyping between old and new Disney movies. As a group, we watched nine movies in total. We watched one together, to test our observer reliability. Once confirming observer reliability was over eighty percent, we each watched two films on our own, one “new” Disney movie and one “old” and shared data. While watching, we specifically looked for actions that illustrated six characteristics that we predetermined were usually

Founded by Groves in 1999, the Cultivation Theory came into existence (Graves, 1999). The theory states that exposure to television develops social behavior and norms. At a young age, we are only just entering the stage in their lives where we are beginning to think for ourselves and develop our own personal beliefs and values. Our minds are gullible and can be easily manipulated. This particular empirical study analyzes the effects due to media, specifically Disney princess movies, on gender stereotyping. Gender stereotyping can be defined as common generalizations used to describe gender roles in society, specific attributes associated with each gender, and the differences between each. Many a time, gender stereotypes are

In the middle of Disney’s success, Disney faced many controversies. One of the most persistent and supported controversies by many people across the globe is the prevailing of sexism behind its film plots and themes. Sexism, as defined by Oxford, is “prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.” Many animated films by Walt Disney Animation Studios, especially from the older ones, are filled with obvious sexist tones. The sexist tones that are said to exist in Disney films should be analyzed and be made public for the sole reason that more than millions of people as proven by their sales views these films.

In their journal article of “Hetero-Romantic Love and Heterosexiness in Children's G-Rated Films,” Karin Martin and Emily Kazyak discussed how the animated Disney films as well as G-rated movies construct heterosexuality to young viewers – children, as they should not contain any of heterosexual scenes. According to the authors, young children are seemingly involved deeply in media world as it is a fruitful chapter of their sexual socialization; animated Disney films or other G-rated movies are what they are oftentimes engaged and attracted. It is always plotted as a stunning, beautiful lady waits for a brave, handsome guy to come to her life, then they would live happily ever after since the movies mark relationships between opposite sex repeatedly,

Gender stereotyping is used in media to build up and magnify character traits and bring humor to situations. Keeping that in mind stereotypical characters portrayed in popular movies and television shows allow viewers to internalize those messages of gender thus making it difficult to argue stereotype behaviors in the real world.

When I was younger and learning about life is when I probably watched the most television. I fell in love with watching animated television shows and movies; in fact the first movie I had ever seen in theatres was Aladdin in 1992, a well-known Disney classic. Disney movies became my all-time favorite. Now watching them I have come to the realization of how they could affect how any child’s views on different gender roles. As Michael Kimmel explains “We now know that gender is one of the central organizing principle around which social life revolves. (Kimmel, 2)”

Gender construction is associated with society’s expectations of human beings based on their biological sex. Before humans are born, they are already classified as boys or girls through a sonogram. In Reading Lessons, An Introduction to Theory, Scott Carpenter explains that “gender has served as the primary human sorting feature since time immemorial” (89). In addition, children’s behaviors are developed from the fairy tales and characters from the cartoons that they watch. Boys are more likely to become superheroes while girls are encouraged to be pretty like Disney’s princess characters such as Snow White and Cinderella (Carpenter 92). Thus, girls are more focused on their physical appearance than boys. The different roles that actors and actresses play and the identification of men and women or boys and girls in movies, fairy tales, and the society influence people to expect what men and women should do and how they should live to get the ideal type for their gender roles.

Women have always been acknowledged for their physique, cleanliness, and their nurturing character. Today, societal norms on women and sexism have drastically expanded and changed over the years by permitting women to vote, work, and participate in masculine sports and activities. However, sexism still in some ways persist worldwide in many forms, but not always perceptible. For example, sexism has been portrayed in many innocent Disney films by representing “good” women as skinny, curvy with caregiving characteristics. Although these ideas are not being directly pointed out to most viewers as sexist, Disney films have indeed portrayed sexism in their films, and since the Disney industry has not stopped broadcasting these films, this can still

In society, one grows up and conforms to certain gender roles and gender based activities because of how one was raised. In Hetero-Romantic Love and Heterosexiness in Children’s G-Rated Films, K.A Martin states, “If educators and other cultural workers are to include the culture of children as an important site of contestation and struggle, then it becomes imperative to analyze how Disney’s animated films powerfully influence the way America’s cultural landscape is imagined.” Studies have shown that children understand the “normality” of heterosexual relationships through their entertainment. Media is an important building block in a child’s life. Most children don’t watch a movie once; They envy the movie, watching it hundreds of times just to make sure they can recite all the songs in their head.

I also valued the steps toward diversity and what seemed like a justice effort for Yost. Ranger casts through the years have always been fairly diverse racially, but there wasn't an emphasis on it in a constructive way. The most infamous example of this was how the black ranger was literally black (Walter Jones) and did a "hip-hop dance" form of karate, while the yellow ranger was played by an Asian actress (Thuy Trang). This time, there aren't any stereotypes in the color assignment department, and when Alpha lists some of the criteria for being "chosen," he says: "Different colors, different kids, different color kids." The point wasn't driven home with a reason of why difference is necessary or important, but as I stated earlier, effective details didn't come with the app. As for paying respect to Yost, it's somewhat common knowledge that he faced abuse from MMPR staff because of his sexual orientation. So, if it's not a

When most parents think of animated children’s films, they think safe, secure, guarded. These movies are for children, worrying about gender bias impacting them, or explaining death is not what comes to a parents mind. Many parents would feel that children’s movies and stories should be teaching positive morals and values. Instead they are showing children that their mother will not be there, and that in her place will stand an evil stepmother who one day will mistreat them. It is also bothersome that they portray fathers (men) as being

Walt Disney created an entire world of fantasy in which he scattered little boys’ and little girls’ heroes and heroines. His world was built on creativity and dreams. His characters gave every child an escape from reality. His images inspired their viewers and filled minds with visions of the impossible. Disney began building his empire in 1923 with his brother Roy and a small cartoon called Alice’s Wonderland (“Disney History”).

“The way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself in.” - W.H. Auden. This common saying may contain some truth, but in reality if you were to throw yourself in a fairy tale what would you really be getting yourself into? Disney/Mass Media communicates negative and false ideologies related to Gender, Race, and relationships.

For years Disney has been making films that have captured the hearts of thousands. These films display the “ideal” and “perfect” love story, filled with all things little girls dream of. However, these films are injected with underlying cliché ideologies that a women is nothing until she can find a man to be a part of her life. Popular films such as Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid are perfect examples showing this “hopeless without a man” theme broadcasted. Disney's films have been so successful and popular all across the world. However, if there is one thing we know about children, it is that they are like sponges. Children absorb and take in everything they see. If the themes and morals displayed in these movies are