Gender Stereotypes In Disney

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.

Human beings consume media every day. Nostalgically, we remember watching many television shows and movies— some of those were of the Disney variety. Whether you watched or still watch those movies, you are familiar with the catchy songs, funny and memorable scenes. But, if you step out of that box you will also see a lot of the Disney movies, more specifically the Disney’s princesses’ ones, have hidden gender roles and represent the women in a certain way over the course of decades of princesses. The misrepresentation of women by implementing gender roles, which is defined as “how we’re expected to act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct ourselves based upon our assigned sex,” and stereotypes, which is defined as “a widely accepted judgment or bias about a person or group — even though it’s overly simplified and not always accurate,” though subliminal, can be seen in those children’s movies, (Planned Parenthood 2017). Though, there is proof that these princesses have evolved from their damsels-in-distress personas to the independent, ambitious women, and proof that the misrepresentation of women being damsels, who need a man’s help because they are inferior— or they are content with the role of being a cooking, cleaning, house wife, or created as the outcast for being ambitious— still exists, the topic of how Disney presents women is more complex than what it seems.

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

Disney makes over $3 billion on their Disney Princess products every year and now have over 25,000 items in their princess collection (Orenstein 2). Disney has played a big role in shaping not only societal viewpoints on what young girls should like, but also what little girls believe they should enjoy as well. Gender stereotypes have been around for a long time, but now with technology advancements, such as media in western society is able to play a bigger than ever role in influencing people’s perspectives. Not only do we see gender roles and stereotypes in television shows, but also in advertisements and in children’s toys. Although many readers of Peggy Orenstein’s “What’s wrong with Cinderella” have argued that the princess culture is corrupting today’s young girls and making them more dependent on men, a closer examination shows that many girls grow out of the princess phase with no negative repercussions and choose whatever passions they want.

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.

Since the beginning of the Disney princess era in 1937 with the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney princess films have been a part of children’s lives for almost a century. According to Robinson, Callister, Magoffin, and Moore, media, specifically television and films present children with images and ideas that may create, alter, or reinforce how they portray stereotypes (203). From the classic Disney princesses such as Snow White and Aurora, to today’s modern princesses such as Elsa, Anna, and Tiana, the roles of Disney princess have changed significantly since the beginning of the franchise. The evolution of gender stereotypes in Disney

The Disney princess movies have a typical female body that they use in every Disney movie. According to Rachael Michelle Johnson, “The classic Disney princesses depict the societal Western standards of beauty such as thin, graceful, young, and attractive to romantic suitors of the opposite sex.”(Rachael Michelle Johnson) Furthermore, the ideal concept of beauty is preserved through princesses having “extremely pale skin tones, small waists, delicate limbs, and full breasts,” (England et al., 2011, p.556) This stereotype teaches children that girls and women are only beautiful if they have these characteristics, and if they don’t then they are automatically considered ugly. Young children learn a lot from the media, when they see

In children’s film Anastasia (which is not a Disney movie) there are a lot of forms of interpellation, which I have never noticed before. Interpellation is when a film or book works to make certain social values more important. These can be values of race, gender, class, or any other values society thinks are important. In the video “Mickey Mouse Monopoly” they look at how Disney tries to portray values within their films. Some watch this and can’t believe they did not see it before but that is why interpellation is so important, it is mostly done unconsciously.

Disney had the opportunity to destroy gender stereotypes that are present in almost all facets of children's media but instead decided to create an in between story. One that would sell and keep people on both sides from attacking their multibillion-dollar company. This could be because Disney believed that, “you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality” (Pinsky 2). The reality, in the case, is that gender roles exist and play an significant role in almost all aspect of life. Perhaps Disney, like many parents, was trying to shield children from the harsh reality of gender stereotypes.

Since childhood, we are taught what norms are appropriate and meant for depending on the gender we are ascribed to. Ferris and Stein (2014), define norms as “the rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behaviors are acceptable and appropriate within [a certain] culture (84). These gender norms are passed down to us through the culture our parents and ancestors belonged to.

Cinema has been a part of our global culture for years,beginning in the late 1890’s with the Lumiere Brother’s short film “L'Arrivée d'un Train en Gare de La Ciotat” which had people so immersed they found themselves running for their lives (Cooper,2015). Commercial films have captured the hearts and imaginations of people of all ages,genders,creeds and colours. As such, an industry that’s so intersectional and cross-cultural should cater to every audience. Much has changed since the Lumiere Brother’s time, with the advent of the internet,the coming and going of the second World War, and the beginning of third-wave feminism. North American society as we know it is growing and changing as an increase in urban living and immigration draw new people towards city centers, and, consequently to the movies. This essay will analyse the gender representation in films released by Walt Disney Pictures, and will pose the question: Does the animated film industry- and the princess archetype -provide sufficient

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.

Advertisements of movies and other forms of media can be used to persuade children into wanting certain toys. These companies are now promoting toys to children that are gender-biased. Toys can be seen as gender-biased by the colors they have or the actions that the figures are restricted too. When here are great movies out in heaters that intrigue many children, this children will most likely want a toy that relates to the movie. Sometimes this can create conflict when companies do not make toys that represent some of the characters. Some people might believe that the companies are being gender-biased by doing this. In the article “Asleep at the switch? “Force Awakens” heroine missing from the toy line,” it says that Disney did not release

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.

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