Gender Stereotypes : Disney Princesses Are Not Harmful To Young Girls

The effects of the portrayal of the princesses can be positive or negative. Young girls have become more imaginative by watching Disney films. According to Stephanie Hanes (n.p.), “’For 75 years, millions of little girls and their parents around the world have adored and embraced the diverse characters and rich stories featuring our Disney princesses.... [L]ittle girls experience the fantasy and imagination provided by these stories as a normal part of their childhood development’.” Also, children are encouraged to believe and hope. In most Disney movies, the characters convey the message that we can believe in true love (10 DISNEY MOMENTS THAT PROVE LOVE IS ALIVE AND WELL

Authors James Poniewozik and Peggy Orenstein are both concerned with the increase of princess culture among young girls. Poniewozik’s article “The Princess Paradox” and Orenstein's article “Cinderella and Princess Culture” discuss similar aspects of princess culture that could be potentially harmful to it’s audience. Both Poniewozik and Orenstein take on a feminist perspective in their articles. Specifically, both authors discuss feminist themes in princess culture but Orenstein focuses on toddler to pre-teen aged girls while Poniewozik is more concerned with specifically teenagers.

But Orenstein, among other parents, believes these Disney products are affecting young girls negatively, and suggests that this potentially damaging social issue is not being responsibly managed as the Princess franchise grows. In a survey reported by Girls Inc., an overwhelming amount of school-age girls who grew up in the presence of the very feminine Disney princesses felt pressured be “perfect” (Orenstein 329). And why would they not feel that way? Disney is a master at developing alluring visuals and entrancing soundtracks, and then strategically targeting them to audiences through the use of powerful marketing campaigns. Disney Princesses have almost perfect fairytale bodies, beautifully colored clothing, and storyline lifestyles that young girls have come to envy. But that is not the case for princesses such as Pocahontas and Mulan. These princesses, who are arguably the most realistic-looking and normal of the bunch, are rarely seen in Princess merchandise. Orenstein’s theory is that Disney exploits only certain princesses through strong merchandising and marketing because certain princesses have outfits and accessories that are more glamorous and lucrative than

Disney princesses are known to be feminine and calm domestic figures. Are these roles commonly portrayed by the princesses getting out of hand or are they conforming to more modern times? Often Disney princesses are seen as helpless, they need someone to save them. If a Disney princess obsessor falls in love with a horrible man, she may not wish to get out of the relationship. Disney princesses must all act the same way, if they distance themselves from the normality, they are ostracized by the people around them.

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.

Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Ariel are all names almost every young female can recall. These are just a few of Disney’s most memorable characters, the “Disney princesses” which are idolized by young girls everywhere. These princesses are portrayed to be strong willed, optimistic, and hardworking women who overcome various hardships throughout their life. Talk about being the perfect role models for little girls everywhere- but are they really? Although they may seem to have admirable qualities, by the end of these Disney movies, each princess receives their happy ending with their “prince charming” at their side. This concludes that happiness is obtained only by finding your “prince charming”. A princess’ “happily ever after”, that is repeated in these iconic Disney movies, distorts what true happiness is and could be for girls around the world. This perceived reality promoted by Disney then becomes engraved in our young girls’ minds through ways that are much like propaganda in the political arena. Propaganda is a form of language commonly used to manipulate intended audiences. In Disney’s case, their intended audience consists of young girls around the world. These Disney films display methods of propaganda, such as doublespeak (Lutz) and the two-extremes fallacy (Cross), which result in our young girls believing in a false reality. There needs to be attention brought about this flawed perception of a sole happiness that is continuously depicted by Disney and shared through ways of propaganda, as it is damaging the minds of our young girls- the future contributors of our society.

In later Disney princess films we get a different modern day look into what women really need and portray, not some prince who makes everything magical. Disney films have portrayed many depictions of gender roles through the princesses who most girls look up to as a role model and who loves and dreams of living that fairy tale ending.  Women have been given the stereotype of being the weaker sex and this has been portrayed in Disney princess films. From the first Disney princes Snow White, to Cinderella and Aurora, women were portrayed as passive. They do not fight back in any way or stand up for what is right for them.

Big eyes and beautiful dresses. Little girls all over the world look up to these so called ideal women. Disney princesses have had a significant impact on young girls from day one, but is this really a good thing? Disney princesses are such bad examples to little girls, for reasons such as, body image, dependence on men, use of black magic, and their overall character. From the moment Disney princesses are viewed, girls self esteems are lowered.

Disney is known to bring us some of the most controversial myths of all time, with subliminal messages, to hidden characters, all the way to misinterpretation of the entire plot of their movies. With large worldwide corporations such as Disney, it is easy to recognize a character when you see one, because of the advertisement and popularity Disney has developed over time. Disney is known for its variety of movies, and TV shows, including the famous characters; from Mickey and Minnie, all the Way to the Disney Princesses. Disney doesn’t use myths just for fun and entertainment, their Disney Princesses have negative messages and hidden influential implications that they pass onto their young female viewers. Many young girls before preschool

Fred Rogers and the Disney princesses have a unique similarity in that they both employ an overt sense of self-esteem in children, which negatively impacts that child’s future. Mr. Rogers, through his television show, has made kids believe that they are special for just being who they are. A similar idea is also true regarding Disney princesses, in that the little girls who emulate them believe that life should be lived as a fairy tale. As children grow up, they are very easily influenced by what their surroundings, particularly by what they see and hear. With Mr. Rogers being the main character on an educational children’s TV program and the “princess” message being promoted everywhere you look, it is very simple for children to latch onto these people/characters. All of these individuals seem to allow the child to believe that they are at the center of the world. This may be nothing to yearn over if it is seen in a young child, but as the child grows up there are various factors that may be worrisome. Self-esteem, empowerment, and entitlement are three ideals that could be influenced negatively as the child develops into a young adult. Once again, on the surface it may seem that Mr. Rogers and the Disney princesses are very positive role models for the youth of our country, but it is evident that there are aspects of their teaching/culture that are not all that good for an easily influenced, developing child.

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.

Many young girls are exposed to various Disney princess images that may guide their creation of future self-images, says Bisbo in her article, Disney Princesses’ Effect on Young Girls’ Self-Images. Disney movies have been a huge part in almost every little American girl’s childhood, Disney movies often have major female roles such as, princesses. The princesses are beautiful young ladies, escape assumed domestication and find a prince to be with for the rest of their lives. The Disney princesses Cinderella, Little Mermaid, and Snow White portray all of these characteristics in their movies. The princesses are not happy at the beginning of each movie and escape their home life situations.

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.

influences around them. The role models would impart on the young girls the necessary standards to compare themselves to learn their intrinsic worth and fight the opinion that women are inferior to men. Many times they look to the media for such influences. Disney princesses have for decades been the representation little girls see; however, not all of them are positive. The Disney Princess brand is broken down into three generations, or waves. The first generation, including Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora, perpetuate sexism because they teach young girls that their value lies in their beauty and their relationship with a man. The second wave

Girls of all ages find an exceptional amount of inspiration from the “happily ever after” stories their parents read to them before bed. Disney princesses are respected by girls and often boys of all ages. The influence a Disney princess imposes on a child is based on how princesses are presented. The interest in a character, such as Cinderella, has mesmerized children as well as parents, but the perception of what is real and fantasy, creates a barrier for parents. The opportunities for children are endless and with exceptional role models, essentially, Disney princesses are a representation of how a child should develop ambition for themselves. Absorption of the characteristics of Disney princesses, however, advocates a portrait of how a