Disney's Oppression Of Gender Stereotypes

Disney strongly portrays gendered stereotypes using their eleven official princesses. Young children, specifically young girls in this case, are extremely susceptible to being influenced by the portrayal of these gendered stereotypes. Golden and Jacoby performed research regarding how preschool girls interpret the gendered stereotypes shown through Disney Princess media, through both the young girls’ pretend play behaviors and the discussion of the princesses. Golden and Jacoby performed this research project in order to examine the perception of young girls in relation to princesses and awareness of gender-role stereotypes, a different research study found that girls who lived and accepted gendered stereotypes, in believing that women

As a child I had often enjoyed playing pretend, emulating my favorite characters from television and film. In particular, I had often imagined myself as the heroes from popular Disney films and often looked to them as role models and inspiration. Disney movies played a large role in mine and millions of others children’s development, imbedding there themes and lessons into our personalities and conscious. The problem however, laid in the fact that the majority of these classic Disney films themes and lessons are from an era that promoted sexism and negative gender roles. Disney’s misrepresentation of the role of males and females portrayed in their popular films coupled with the rapid increase of digital media and merchandise sales has distorted

Bartyzel’s wide array of evidence to support her claim that princess culture narrowly defines what femininity means to young consumers makes her argument compelling. She used Disney’s unfitting princess makeover of the character Merida from Brave - who desperately fought against princess ideals in the movie - as an example of how Disney has a habit of backtracking their own progress. Bartyzel also provided accounts from mothers who support her claim by expressing that their daughters’ behavior had been shaped by princess culture. Additionally, Disney routinely overshadows the darkness of traditional fairy tales with overly idealistic narratives and has a history of depicting harmful racial stereotypes, problematic female characterizations, and unrealistic storylines (Bartyzel, 2015). Bartyzel examined these stereotypes and problematic characterizations with the design alterations made to Disney princesses; specifically, princesses of color. Finally, Bartyzel reinforced her argument by conveying that women are diverse and to overlook these differences affects how young girls view themselves. Bartyzel’s professional presentation, the various forms of evidence, her counter-arguments, and her examination of the different issues tied to princess culture helped convey a strong argument.

He ripped her from her family, would yell at her if she chooses not to entertain her and would manipulate her into thinking that he can’t live without her. “We have examples like Beauty and The Beast, where the argument was that this a strong and powerful woman, and why is she so strong and powerful? Because she’s reading a book… Well then reality is just pseudo feminism because ultimately in Beauty and The Beast she marries a batterer.”4 This movie is teaching our young girls that if a man treats you this way its ok, you can love someone even though they do not treat you the right way. Disney makes the woman seem sexy and seductive, like the princesses Ariel. Ariel is gorgeous with a curvy body, long hair and a voice to match.4 this makes our girls think about is this will look when they are older and if you look like Ursula who’s big and isn’t the ideal “beautiful” woman.5 Makes it seem as if that you happen to look like this you do not have the possibility of becoming a

The Walt Disney Company dominates the youth entertainment market and greatly impacts children around the world. Disney Princesses, the most lucrative Disney franchise, grosses billions of dollars in revenue each year (Forbes). Through this franchise, Walt Disney imposes rigid definitions of gender, masculinity and femininity on children. The media plays a large role in the construct of social norms and has a heavy influence on young kids: “children as young as three were very conscious of what they played with and appeared to have mapped out in the mind which toys and activities were ‘for girls’, which ‘for boys’ and which were gender neutral” (Browne and Ross 143). Beauty and the Beast, first released in 1991, exemplifies the rigid gender roles and stereotypes that the Disney Princess franchise embodies and imparts these values on children.

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)”

Children first begin to learn their gender identities between the ages of two and six. With this, they also begin to recognize activites, traits, skills, and other stereotypes associated with each gender. During this period of time, children are vulnerable and impressionable, imitating the actions they see happening around them. Children begin to act according to how their gender is portrayed in society, and the media is playing a larger role in daily life now than ever before. Binary gender stereotypes are continually advertised in the media through movies, television shows, advertisements, music, etc. Unfortunately, a message seen far too often within

While Pocahontas (1995) is one of the Walt Disney productions that does include multicultural themes and characters, however unfortunately does reveal various sexual as racist stereotypes. While Pocahontas is often criticized due to the sexual representation of a typical Disney princess instead of being praised for being a strong independent woman, the film possesses quite damaging stereotypes of American Indians. Disney publicists contended that in every aspect of the storytelling, the filmmakers tried to treat Pocahontas with the respect she deserved and present a balanced and informed view of the Native American culture, however aspects of the movie show otherwise (Aidman & Reese, 1996). Educators face the challenge of identifying instructional materials and media films that are culturally responsive to different children; the cultures represented face the greatest challenge as film media continues to promote racist and sexist representations of non-majority social groups,

The other women in the film are, however, still portrayed as dumb. Belle from Beauty and the Beast is also different. She is well-read and smart and not interested in marrying the handsome bachelor all the girls are interested in. Belle is also criticized by the people of her town because she is smart, reads and has dreams of her own. Although Belle is very different from the other princess, she ends up marrying the prince who the Beast turns into.

No doubt that a large movement for women’s empowerment is spreading across the country. Henceforth, the story of Beauty and the Beast is modified to appeal to modern feminism. Belle is no longer a week and lonely bookworm. She became prosperous and independent. Just like her dad, she became an inventor. Her washing machine was ahead of time, and she even began teaching a young girl

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.

The entertainment industry can do more harm to us than good. The harm that comes from these films are things like stereotyping women and minorities. Women and minorities are more subjectable to be stereotyped because they are different from the typical Caucasian male. Stereotypes such as beauty is good in Disney films and how diversity in films leads to poor box office outcomes. These stereotypes alter the way we look at individuals and groups that can lead to discrimination.

She is presented as a much more well-rounded person, with interests, goals, and aspirations. More than just a self-sacrificing, devoted daughter, Belle shows gumption when she stands up to the Beast, curiosity when she explores the forbidden West Wing, and rebellion when she runs away from the castle. Yet, for Cummins, the emphasis is on Belle’s nurturing tenderness, her beauty, her sexuality, and her happily-ever-after commitment to the Beast (Cummins, 27). Belle is the first strong example of a modern heroine for Disney, leading the way for stronger Disney princesses and

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.

What’s important to understand is that the characters that Walt Disney created over the years, for example Mickey Mouse became icons, which had a lot of cultural significance, especially with children. The characters and their stereotypical body images, mannerisms, and behaviors were merely aspects of Walt Disney’s biased and vivid imagination and did not accurately reflect society or the culture for which they were created, but intern negatively influence his audience. Obviously, Wald Disney did not create the stereotypes, but it was the use of those stereotypes in his films that gave children the wrong impressions, specifically regarding gender roles or what it means to be a male and societies expectations of men.