Gender Stereotypes In Disney Girls : Gender And Gender Aspects Of Young Girls

Disney Princesses have changed from time to time, but they still hold the same value. In Monika Bartyzel’s article “Girls on Film: The Real Problem with Disney Princess Brand”, she is basically pointing out the negative affects Disney Princesses have on little girls. Bartyzel claims that Disney is pulling the company’s progress back with feminine stereotypes of the past (Bartyzel 467). What really matters is how Disney princesses give little girls something to look up to, all around the world. Despite the backlash Disney has received based on the changes throughout Disney Princess history, Disney Princesses shed a positive light on little girls through love, a sense of morality and dreams.

“Little Girls or Little Women? The Disney Princess Effect” is an article by Stephanie Hanes which touches on the princess phenomenon many young girls are obsessed with. Stephanie Hanes concludes that the Disney Princess craze is linked to self-objectification and the growing sexualization of young girls. Although she provided numerous facts the argument was unsuccessful because it was weak and confusing. Her own personal opinion on why she blamed the Disney Empire for sexualization amongst young girls was rarely voiced. Lastly the main idea of the article gets masked by controversial expert claims that are not linked to the topic.

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.

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

Each and every child grows up viewing Disney movies, wearing princess gowns, and buzz lightyear suits. The parents of these children are the individuals purchasing these Disney costumes, toys, candy, and other related items for their children. Our society today accepts Disney and their culture of entertainment as a part of a child’s childhood experience without second thought. Elements of the fairytale of Cinderella has adapted over time to please the culture in which it is told; yet in today’s culture, adaptation to these elements is taken to where it has never been. In “The Princess Paradox,” James Poniewozik says, “You can have the girly dream of glass slippers and true love, these films say, as well as the womanly ideal of self-determination and independence and any contradictions between them are no match for the movies’ magic” (Poniewozik 324). Peggy Orenstein compliments Poniewozik’s article because she states, “The first Princess items, released with no marketing plan, no focus groups, no advertising, sold as if blessed by a fairy godmother” (Orenstein 327). Poniewozik is trying to argue that films have altered the story of Cinderella in the 21st century cinema realm due to the addition of the concept of feminism, women 's separation from men, and the traditional magic implemented within them. Orenstein marries these articles together indirectly by pointing out that Disney legitimately had no marketing plan, yet they continue to rake in money. The reason Disney

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.

Growing up watching Disney films is a fond memory that many people share, including myself. Older, and now deemed as ‘classic’ Disney films are funny, heartfelt, endearing and produced an all around joyful experience. With the Disney Corporation as “one of the largest media companies in the world” (Towbin et al. 2004:19), it is easy to see why Disney films are the most popular among children’s entertainment (2004). A large and very significant aspect that is typically not associated in everyday conversation about Disney films is the topic of gender roles and how they can impact society. In this paper I will be focusing on the gender roles illustrated in Disney films with specific attention on Cinderella (1950), The Little Mermaid (1989) and Beauty and the Beast (1991). I hope to demonstrate and compare the gender roles of men and women within these films and discuss the relation between Disney films and society based on a feminist perspective.

In this short essay I will make a brief comparison of female characters in Walt Disney feature length animations before and after the 1990’s. This comparison will examine whether the stereotype of the female Disney Characters mainly the princesses changes around this time or not. Female Characters in Disney animations have become famous over the years more so than the male ones, however in saying this many of them don't become princesses until towards the end of the films. Some of the most famous Disney women are the traditional ones that almost all little girls know about: Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937 Dir: William Cottrell), Belle from Beauty and the Beast(1991 Dir: Gary Trousdale, Krik Wise), Cinderella from Cinderella(1950 Dir: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske), Ariel from The Little Mermaid(1989 Dir: Ron Clements, John Musker), Jasmine from Aladdin(1992 Dir: Ron Clements, John Musker) and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty(1959 Dir: Clyde Geronimi).

Moral and valuable examples for both girls and boys can be difficult to find in society today. Amidst pop culture and societal views becoming increasingly worse, children more than ever need a respectable and moral individual to idolize and follow. In the world of Disney, princesses have become a closely enjoyed and respected view for what every girl should aspire to be. Each princess represents a different background, culture, and set of talents that express a type of woman that stands out in the world. Although many girls enjoy the princess culture and lifestyle, many parents feel this campaign is wrong for both their children and other girls. They believe the princess way of life is harmful towards girls’ images and their views towards the realistic events that accurately represent reality. Disney princesses are an encouraging example of an ethical and strong woman and, if desired, should be accepted and encouraged to follow despite views and beliefs that girls are stereotyped into gender cliques.

Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into film production, television, and theme parks. In this essay will particular focus on the changing of gender role in the film production of Disney Company. In the early ages of Disney’s film, generally speaking, the gender role of women characters in the movie is passive. Male characters have been more prominent and portrayed as more they are more likely to have a recognizable job, more independent, athletic, important, and stronger than female characters. For example, according to the timeline of Walt Disney Picture Film (Disney), Snow White and The Seven Dwarves (1937) is the first animated feature length film produced by Disney. In this movie, Snow White is a dominant character and only relying on the princess to save her. Furthermore, the similar trend can be found in Cinderella (1950) and Sleeping Beauty (1959) as well. Prince is the leading role of the story line and princess or women characters in these early films all are subsidiary. However, this circumstance has been changed in the 1980s because the rise of Feminism in America. The release of The Little Mermaid (1989) means that the traditional princess roles are no longer exists. The gender role of the princess in this film is rebellious and ambitious and she finding success herself instead of

The Walt Disney Corporation and their films have served as icons that have produced numerous animated films, whose characters have become heroines for adolescents for over a decade. The Disney Corporation along with its princess collection is recognized as a powerful influencer on children’s media; thus, teaching societal norms for target adolescent groups. Disney’s collection of princesses have spanned over 78 years, from the first generation Disney princess movies (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora) to the second generation Disney princess movies (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Aladdin’s Jasmine, Pocahontas) to the new era princesses (The Princess and the Frog’s Tiana and Tangled’s Rapunzel). A researcher noted that, Disney continuously controls cultural authority and traditional sites of learning which include: public schools, religious institutions, and the institution of family (Giroux, 1995). Numerous research has studied the underlying stereotypical constructs presented in Disney animated films including: gender, age and race. For example, England, Descartes and Collier-Meek recently conducted a study on gender roles and its portrayal in popular Disney films.

In week one we observed and discussed how Disney creates their princess with the ideal image as well as to how women are supposed to be seen today. Disney mainly targets young little kids and influences them from the begging they watch either their cartoons or movies. Mainly in their top rated films the princess who are the main characters either have an hour-glass body or they send the message that a male will come into your life and save you from danger and you will live happily ever after or often things change around and the princess gives the male a kiss and saves him. Not to mention, they also focus on males making them very masculine to also influence little boys to achieve the ideal body image. Not to mention Disney also displays the

The success of the multi-million dollar Disney corporation is undeniable. Whether it be through films, books, merchandise, or television advertisements, Disney has considerable impact on children’s lives. One of Disney’s primary influences has been on the construction of children’s perception on gender roles and gender expectations. The influence Disney has on young children has been bought to the attention of critics, who argue these films produce unhealthy, concealed messages to the most vulnerable viewers. Disney is aimed at a younger audience, still in their early cognitive development stage. At this age, children are carefully noting what goes on around them, gaining knowledge of how society and the wider world works. (Hibbeler, B 2009) Since heavy topics of sexism and gender roles are not likely discussed with one’s parents at this age and stage, Disney films are one of the earliest transmitters of these kind of messages. Behind a mask of innocence, early Disney Princess films promote corrupt expectations on how women should appear, act and behave – setting foundations for these beliefs and morals amongst children. I will be critically analysing how gender expectations formed from Disney Princess films have developed over time, and what effect they have on their young audience’s perspectives on gender. I will then conclude with an examination of how these portrayed gendered roles reflect what is accepted in society at the significant point in time.

Some figures that have been very important and influential to young children for a long time are the Disney Princesses. There are many features about these characters that make them so loved however after careful analysis is becomes obvious that these are not the kinds of characters children should be idolizing. Many young girls spend a large amount of their life wanting to be a princess but Disney’s portrayal of princesses makes this not seem so desirable. A princess according to Disney is a young, virgin, beautiful girl who has a single parent and an unnaturally skinny body. She falls in love very quickly and her only goal in life is to get married (Daedaluss, C.). There are nine Disney Princesses that were released between the years of 1937 and 2009. According to a study done by England D., Descartes L. and Collier-Meek M. (567) all of the Disney Princess movies portray women as having very stereotypical representation of gender. Over time Disney’s portrayal of the princesses have changed but overall there is not a lot of improvement in regards to the portrayal of gender stereotypes (England, Descartes & Collier-Meek , 568). These stereotypes have given young girls misunderstandings about how a woman should look and behave.

As a child, I grew up with the Disney pop culture surrounding me. I constantly watched Disney movies, cartoons, and I even played with their toys like every other kid in America during the early 2000s. Not much has changed except the increase and growth of their industry. With the expanding $4 billion revenue (Hanes 510) flowing in each year, they have added more princesses along the way. While some girls are ecstatic over the new additions to the princess family, some adults are not. This is not a common opinion among many Disney fanatics to see, but the author of “Little Girls or Little Women? The Disney Princess Effect” Stephanie Hanes is one of the few that are not satisfied with the work of Walt, bringing an eccentric point of view to our attention. Parents, like Hanes, fear the psychological effect it can leave on their daughters and how it can potentially narrow their future goals. Hanes’s argument uses ethos, logos, and pathos to skillfully to argue the point of the Disney Princess effect on girls.