Almost all little girls emulate and mimic the Disney princesses they grow up watching. These characters Disney creates are role models for young girls all over the globe. Girls grow up believing they must be like these princess they view as their role models. What are these women like? What characteristics do they possess? All these women are beautiful, charming, and kind. They are constantly seen cleaning, cooking, and caring for others. And if they aren't any of these things they are often seen as outcasts or rebels such as Arielle and Belle. But the one thing all these women have in common are a man. All these women are rescued or swooped off their feet by their Prince Charming, a man who can rescue them from all their troubles in society. This is the message we are sending out to the millions of little girls who watch these films religiously. While watching these movies girls learn to be dependent on a man. They learn to believe that finding a man can solve any of your problems and once you've found this Prince Charming you can sail off into "happily ever after".
Cinderella is one of the many perfect examples of Disney films that perpetuate gender stereotypes and send poor messages to young girls. We first see Cinderella cleaning and cooking, working as a servant for her evil stepmother. Right away we see Cinderella conforming to the stereotype that a woman's duty is to clean, cook, and serve. Cinderella is a stunning, yet obedient woman who follows instructions and is not willing to stand up for herself and defy her stepmother. But, once Prince Charming comes along and falls in love with Cinderella after only a few hours because of her beautiful appearance, Cinderella is able to abandon her dreadful life as a servant and live happily ever after. In this film we see a weak, typical woman who simply cleans and cooks and listens to what she is told. But, once a man falls in love with her solely because of her looks she is able to abandon her problems.
It is clear that Disney is not being held responsible for these messages as they continue to reappear in films again and again. When Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" came out audiences were thrilled to see Disney's first African American Princess hoping this film would be the first to defy these gender stereotypes Disney had perpetuated. But, this film was met with much criticism stated it only further pushed other racist stereotypes. Disney continues to create films and princesses that portray the stereotypical women. Some of their newer films include Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled. At first one may believe the only solution to this problem is to hold Disney accountable for the media they are generating for the public viewing. Someone should make Disney feel responsible for the messages they are giving out to our society. Dr. Melissa Landa from the College of Education at the University of Maryland explains how this is simply unrealistic. But if Disney cannot be held responsible for their messages how can we solve this problem?
To counter the messages Disney puts into society it is extremely important to expose children to other sources of media that show other role models and life styles they can take part in. By no means is the defense against this messages is to censor Disney movies entirely. These films are undoubtedly enjoyable for both children and adults. But, is it important to have conversations with children after these movies. These conversations can be used to explain that sometimes these stories and characters are unrealized. Parents can also talk about how this is just one lifestyle for women to have. It is important to expose children to many different choices and outlets of media so they can explore different identities through characters they see everyday. Dr. Landa describes how important it is for children to be exposed to a variety of lifestyles to ensure balance in a child's life. With a variety of messages and role models to look up to children can still chose to be a like a Disney princess, fall in love and live happily ever after. But with exposure, children can also follow in the footsteps of Hilary Clinton and pursue a career in politics and be extremely independent. By showing children in society an assortment of media with different messages we are no longer limiting them to one stereotype lifestyle.
In society today it is crucial that we focus on the messages and media our youth are being exposed to. This media they are constantly being exposed to socializes them and shapes them into the adults they will be in the future. Although Disney sends the message to girls that they should all be beautiful, obedient women who can be rescued by a man does not mean we should ban these films. It just further pushes the necessity to expose the youth, especially youth girls, to other media that presents other women and other life style choices.
It is clear that Disney is not being held responsible for these messages as they continue to reappear in films again and again. When Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" came out audiences were thrilled to see Disney's first African American Princess hoping this film would be the first to defy these gender stereotypes Disney had perpetuated. But, this film was met with much criticism stated it only further pushed other racist stereotypes. Disney continues to create films and princesses that portray the stereotypical women. Some of their newer films include Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled. At first one may believe the only solution to this problem is to hold Disney accountable for the media they are generating for the public viewing. Someone should make Disney feel responsible for the messages they are giving out to our society. Dr. Melissa Landa from the College of Education at the University of Maryland explains how this is simply unrealistic. But if Disney cannot be held responsible for their messages how can we solve this problem?
