Disney Princess Characters

Not only do Disney princesses result in bad self esteem, they also encourage passiveness and reliance on others. The feminine and vulnerable side of these princesses, reflect the reliance on their hero and true love. The Disney princess stereotype insinuates that girls should be sweet and submissive, and should fully rely on a male-counterpart. Conversely, new characters, such as Elsa (Frozen), Rapunzel (Tangled), and Merida (Brave), do not express this passive characteristic. At the same time, these princesses continue to need assistance to reach the desired solution. For instance, Princess Rapunzel still needed hero Flynn Rider, in order to navigate her to her parents throughout the movie. None of these princesses independently found a solution to the main conflict in any of these Disney films.

Disney princesses are fun for all ages, but their target audience is young children and “as children grow and develop, they can be easily influenced by what they see and hear”. Therefore, what they see and hear in Disney movies leaves an impression on them. The first princess, Snow White, was created in a time where each gender and race had a specific role in society. Recently, many believe that Disney has come a long way in regards to gender and race since Snow White, as several multi-cultural protagonists have been introduced subsequently, and gender roles do not appear to be as stereotypical as they once were. However, many of the apparent innocent messages about race and gender in these movies, can be exposed as otherwise. Despite

Disney’s princess movies from the Classic era have translated the society’s definition of women and their roles during the 1930s.

In our modern society parents want to know who the best role models are for their children; especially parents of young girls. Most girls are introduced to Disney Princesses at a young age, but what most parents don’t know is that not all Disney Princesses are positive role models of modern society. The princesses were amazing role models for their time but since then many opinions have changed on what is expected of women and what is not some; people in society today can argue weather certain qualities that the princesses posses are acceptable for today’s youth. The most famous princesses are the “Original Disney Princesses” :(in chronological order) Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan.

The original story Little Snow White uses the stereotypical idea that women cannot go out and make money for their families. For example, in the story when the dwarfs first find Snow White living in their home, they make a deal with her in return for her to be able to stay with them: “If you will keep the house for us, and cook, sew, make beds, wash, and knit, and keep everything clean and orderly, then you can stay here.” This agreement isn’t fair. They go out and make money while she does the chores. The stereotype they have shown is that all women can do is stay home and clean. Snow White is forced to stay home and clean the entire house everyday while the men go out into the world and make money. This is how Little Snow White incorporates gender roles and labels into the personality of the female protagonist.

Many girls dream of their knight in shining armor, a perfect wedding, and a “happily ever after” life. Disney princesses give them hope to find love and happiness, along with emphasizing their want for the beauty and grace princesses represent. Authors of “Cinderella and Princess Culture” and “The Princess Paradox,” Peggy Orenstein and James Poniewozik, respectively, agree most girls adore princesses. However, these articles convey differing parental opinions about lessons exhibited from princesses and the unfavorable effects on young girls. Orenstein describes her negative views of princesses through experiences with her daughter and the marketing knowledge of Disney executive, Andy Mooney. Conversely, Poniewozik recounts the changes in princess culture with examples of modern princess movies to depict positive lessons princesses communicate. Both authors find importance in business models, feminism, and future aspirations of young,

Cassandra Stover explains in her Journal Damsels and Heroines: The Conundrum of the Post-Feminist Disney Princess, the dramatic shift with Disney princess at the peak of the late 1980s and early 1990s. She explains that the shift can derive from feminist movements and how the change can be directed to the third wave of feminism. She examines the original Disney princesses and decribes them to be more passively aggresive and unindependent, while the new princesses are more independent and brave. The author then explains if the shift from the old to new princesses are actually better, and not just different. Stover analysizes that Disney princesses evolve and are a part of the worlds change on feminism.

To fully understand why there has been such a dramatic shift in the portrayal of these princesses, you first must understand why it was necessary. In the last thirty years of so, Disney has been in the midst of a battle with the public and their audience. Disney has been accused of stereotyping women through their princesses and keeping traditional roles when our society no longer values those roles. The influence society has on princess is first and foremost the biggest reason why Disney had dramatically changed their princess. After all, with no audience watching these movies, no revenue is generated and thus the business will fail. In 1937 when Snow White was released society’s views were so different from how they are now. The release date is really important because of how life was in America. We had already been in World War I and were approaching the start of World War II. Unemployment was high and many viewed a women’s “job” as the home carer so that way men could have the jobs (which were scarce). In addition how gender roles were viewed weren’t always as “free” and accepting as they are today. “In

Growing up, I remember watching Disney movies all of the time and wanting to be one of the princesses. Still that I am older seeing princesses movies I still feel like a little girl all over again. When Disney first started to create the princess, Disney made the princess helpless and in need to be rescued by a prince charming. Disney is changing the way the princesses’ characteristics by making them stronger and brave. Although many parents believe that Disney should not be changing the gender roles of the princess.

We all think that Disney princess movies are happy and positive, but there are some downsides in their movies that are affecting some people in the public. How are Disney princess movies affecting people on how they think or feel about themselves today? According to research done, especially young and developing women, have been affected by Disney princess movies because they have made negative impacts on their future. They were taught wrong lessons about marriage and what they’re worth, and overall messing with people’s minds. But first, one needs to know a little bit about the one and only, Walt Disney.

For decades now, Disney Corporation has been providing us with countless films made to delight and amuse children and adults alike. But not all Disney films seem particularly appropriate for their target audience. Many of these films portray violence, gender inequality, and skewed views of leadership roles that seem altogether inappropriate for impressionable young children. Better and more contemporary heroines need to be added to Disney’s wall of princesses in order to counteract years of sexism.

Walt Disney Animation Studios is a large part in America’s entertainment industry. Reaching children and adults through their many platforms, Disney has been influencing people for over 90 years. These films have played a huge role in the society displays of gender roles. This is seen in the representation in their characters, more importantly females. Culture has been going through changes in the past couple of decades and Disney reflects the changes in society through its characters. Popular culture rises with each of Disney’s films and become well known with their recognizable roles. The Disney Princess line up has been a rising influence since 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and continues to present with the current release of Moana, the most revolutionary Disney Princess as of yet.

What young girl does not dream of becoming a princess and living in a castle happily ever after? Virtually every young girl identifies with princesses and has watched at least one Disney Princess movie. From the first movies of Snow White and Cinderella, to the later movies of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, to the most current movie Moana, Disney Princess movies permeate not only the movie theaters, but also our culture. In fact, “becoming a princess is as easy as purchasing a tiara and hosting a princess-themed birthday party or buying a Halloween costume and playing pretend” (Garabedian, 2014, p. 23). Nonetheless, as declared by Princess Merida in the movie Brave, “there comes a day when I don’t have to be a princess. No rules, no expectations. A day where anything can happen. A day where I can change my fate” (Andrews & Chapman, 2012). In other words, does the life of a princess measure up to the expectations of little girls everywhere? The Disney Princess brand has grown incredibly popular, especially with young girls. In spite of this, the franchise has also become extremely controversial due to potential gender stereotypes in the films. “Gender is one of the most discussed topics in today’s society…[it] represents and also reproduces certain attributes, expectations and roles which are associated with male and female…influencing the views and opinions of future generations” (Maity, 2014, p. 31). Yet, is the Disney Princess brand harmful to young children due to gender stereotypes? Two essays that contemplate the Disney Princess brand and gender stereotypes with opposite viewpoints on this controversial issue are “Girls on Film: The Real Problem with the Disney Princess Brand” by writer Monika Bartyzel and “In Defense of Princess Culture” by writer and mother Crystal Liechty. However, Liechty’s essay “In Defense of Princess Culture,” is the most effective article in convincing the audience of her point of view due to the claim, support, warrant, language, and vocabulary employed.

Cramped in a small Los Angeles office, Walt Disney drew a few larger than life cartoons. After Disney’s big hit Alice Comedies and cartoons of Mickey and the gang, he moved his office to Burbank, California. There, Walt and his brother, Roy, came up with their most famous movies such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. Now with two American amusement parks, three international parks, multiple cruise lines, multiple resorts, over five hundred films, and over thirty academy award, it’s hard to not heard of Disney. Every boy or girl has at least seen or heard of Disney movies. It’s such a big part of society today that it becomes influential in a kid’s childhood. This project will look at the underlying effect of the Disney princess phenomenon and how it shapes a young girls’ perspective of herself and how she’s “supposed” to be.

Some of the recurring themes and messages I found while reading "Snow White", were women, (even Queens) actually like to do domesticating chores like sewing; that women are so indecisive that even after they get what they ask for they will still find some measure of dissatisfaction. Extreme vanity is a priority, being the most beautiful in comparison