Gender Norms In Disney's Movies

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.

The portrayal of Feminine aspects within Disney movies has been widely criticized, however the way masculinity is portrayed in films is also very controversial but infrequently discussed. My goal for this research paper is to look at two Disney films through a feminist lens and queer lens to decipher any stereotypical aspects of masculinity that are shown within the main characters. I am hopeful to find a film that breaks the norm of having a masculine main character that is hyper masculine like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast or Jaffar from Aladdin. I would also like to analyze the damsel in distress situations in films where the male role seems to always be the heroic figure even when they aren’t the main character in the story. Even though

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

The typical paradigm of a princess is to be gentle, nurturing, beautiful, and dependent upon somebody else to guide their fate and to also find their “one true love or prince charming.” Examples include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Sleeping Beauty. According to Orenstein (2011), she reinforces this model that “the first thing that culture told her about being a girl [was] not that she was competent, strong, creative, or smart but that every little girl wants – or should want – to be the Fairest of Them All” (p. 3). It was not until recently when the standards of social or gender norms have been challenged by modern princesses where the princesses wield a trait or some traits that exemplify strong attributes. Being a strong princess would be defined as a princess that controls her own actions and controls her own life, regardless of what is dictated by social or gender norms.

“A dream is a wish your heart makes” says Cinderella in her famous fairytale. (Cinderella). Cinderella is an animated children’s film released in 1950 about a young girl, Cinderella, who lives under her cruel stepmother’s house with two of her stepsisters who constantly belittle her. She receives an invitation to attend a ball and with the help of a fairy godmother, she is able to reunite with her prince charming in the end. The Little Mermaid is also a Disney children’s animated film and it was released in 1989.

Gender norms are something that each of us learn at a very young age. We get ideas about gender roles from our parents, our teachers, television, books and even subconsciously. Without even realizing we are all influenced in to think in a certain way, according to our sex or at least what is expected according to our sex. These influences are so that they dictate how we dress and how go on about our daily lives.

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 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.

While the beautiful princess Snow White cooks and cleans for the seven dwarves she sings, “Someday my prince will come… and away to his castle we’ll go to be happy forever I know.” Snow White passes time waiting on the dwarves, hoping a prince will come sweep her off her feet and she will live happily ever after. After biting into a poison apple, her fate ultimately relies on the prince to save her- a prince she does not even know. Disney emphasizes, “Where dreams come true,” however the in princess films they produce, the women’s dreams are frequently waiting for their prince to arrive. Disney films portray many controversial gender stereotypes.

The Disney film “The Lion King” is a great example of how females are seen as subordinate to males. Giroux states, “All of the rulers of the kingdom are men, reinforcing the assumption that independence and leadership are tied to patriarchal entitlement and high social standing” (Greene 582). This is the case for most Disney films that the male characters have power over the female characters. The female characters are depicted as weak and dependent on the male characters. This can give young girls the wrong idea of what type of roles they should take on. If they keep seeing female characters being portrayed as weak and dependent on males they may think that they should be the same way. However, not all of the female characters in these movies are portrayed the same way.

Screenwriters and filmmakers should refrain from using stereotypes based on gender, race, sexuality, religion, social class, and mental or physical disability even if it is for a comedy.

For decades Disney has given the wrong impression of female gender roles. Today many of the aspects such as women being the weaker sex and set roles for each denomination have not changed as much as the society thinks. Looking at male and female characters in animations, one can see how those two genders are portrayed differently in terms of their roles. In this case, Disney has crossed the line portraying gender stereotypes to their films, especially stereotypes of women.

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.

Gender norms are a set of unspoken “rules” set by society where people are told to behave and act a certain way per their gender. For a long time, it has dictated the way one lead their lives, telling them how to behave and act. It is something that we are all exposed to no matter the age, race, or religion These gender roles have had a huge impact on the way kids grow up and often has a negative effect, taking a heavy toll on the person. Every community has some form of gender roles. Ultimately gender norms play a role in how we as civilians’ function in our society.

Disney is one of the most successful and largest companies in the world. They have their hand in nearly every form of entertainment as well as media, and broadcasting. Disney is best known for their animated films, unique cartoon characters, catchy musicals, and fairy tales that most of us were first introduced to as children. They are one of the few entertainment companies in the World whose primary demographic is children and teens. Nearly everybody is familiar with the Disney name and its brand, and its realistic to suggest that nearly everybody has experienced a Disney film and animated character at some point in their lives; which may have helped to influence them or their behaviors or even their