Gender Stereotypes In Disney

Words: 363
Pages: 2
Open Document
Disney has been around for almost nine decades and since then, it has brought on hours of boundless enjoyment to young children and has always been viewed in a positive light, but recent research and debates have shown that maybe Disney is not as glamorous as it likes to pretend to be. After watching Disney films with his three sons, Pennsylvania State University professor Henri Giroux said,“This isn’t just entertainment. It’s teaching our children. Popular culture is a powerful educational force, regardless of where you are politically. And there are things going on in popular culture that aren’t very friendly to our kids” (Giroux 1). He was right. When looked at with a critical eye, there are many flaws that could be found within its contents …show more content…
A few researchers have named this phenomenon, The Disney Effect. “In children’s animation, females, minorities, and workers have few redeeming qualities,” (Giroux 1). Disney has many problems that can affect both genders and offend many in multiple ways. Gender-wise, Disney forces many “traditional” or stereotypical roles on each gender. For females, they must be aesthetically pleasing. Everything, even finding a good husband, comes down to their image and how they look. This belief is depicted by the role of the Princess. Princesses are meant to be a certain weight, be skinny and have flawless skin. Child Psychologist Sharon Lamb argues that “Disney girls are depicted as women with Barbie doll bodies” (Lamb 2). Basically, what they are saying is that females must be perfect, which everyone knows to be impossible. This outlook on perfection can lead to eating disorders and self-esteem issues along with the lack of confidence. Women are also expected to be compliant and that without a man, they are nothing. They are willing to give up everything just to obtain a husband. An example of this can be seen in The Little Mermaid. Ariel gave up her home, family, and voice just to marry a man who would take another woman to the altar just because she could
Show More

Related Documents: Gender Stereotypes In Disney

Gender Stereotypes In Disney Films

There has been, and still is, the continual debate on gender roles, variations in cultures and several factors that contributes to the manner in which people behave and live, starting from their childhood up until they become adults (Bryant, 2011). One such factor or element that contributes to people’s perception is print media and film. In this thematic analysis, therefore, I intend to elaborate how print media and film influence how men and women think. Specifically, my discussion will focus on…

Words 491 - Pages 2

The Hidden Gender Stereotypes in the Animations the Little Mermaid and Tangled Essay

The Hidden Gender Stereotypes in the Animations The Little Mermaid and Tangled Erlina EKAWATI ABSTRACT After the success of the feminist movement in the early 1960s, gender stereotypes are considered as not a big issue anymore. Many people tried to break gender stereotypes especially in mass media. However, it is undeniable that gender stereotypes are still imprinted because people have been fed by gender stereotypes from the show that they watch since they are young. It is shown in two animation…

Words 7511 - Pages 31

Examples Of Sexism In Mulan

Sexism and Feminism in Mulan In 1998, Disney released the controversial movie Mulan. Mulan is a story about a girl who joins the army to protect her father, trains to be a good soldier and a strong leader, then proceeds to defeat the Hun army during their invasion of China. The main character of Mulan is not like the typical Disney princess. In contrast to the traditionally dainty and incapable princesses, Mulan appears to be a strong and capable character who isn’t looking for a man to complete…

Words 391 - Pages 2

Jordan Pollock 2107965 Research Paper

Does tokenism in Children’s Media create negative stereotypes? Jordan Pollock 2107965 Token, or minority characters have appeared persistently since the early days of children’s media. There has be no real consistency in the use of Token minority characters in children’s film and television, neither through sex, or race. Females have appeared as minority characters on boy’s television shows, and vice versa. African Americans have appeared as racial minority, yet, a Caucasian character has been…

Words 2757 - Pages 12

Gender Stereotypes In Snow White By The Brothers Grimm

Disney stories and fairy tales have been around for a very long time. When these fairy tales were first written, they portrayed the more conventional and stereotypical gender roles of that time. These roles included women cleaning, cooking being nurturing and caring. No one cleaned a house full of seven dwarfs faster than Snow White and never once did she question why these seven little men could not clean their own home. As of late, Disney has attempted to include more…

Words 1962 - Pages 8

Stereotypes In Disney Movies

Great post Robert! You offered many interesting thoughts and arguments. I do agree that many older Disney movies do portray stereotypes. Like you stated both Cinderella and Snow White feature main characters who wait around for men to save the day. I agree these movies were created in a different time period, but I do believe stereotypes still exists in today's generation. Gender roles stereotypes still exists. Working in a pre-k classroom this is something I have noticed. Kids as young as four pick…

Words 162 - Pages 1

The Misrepresentation Of Women In Walt Disney's Film Wall-E

change in gender ideology can be noted in the development of Walt Disney’s classic female leads, and most prominently in Walt Disney’s recent film Wall-E (2008). The co-star of this animated film is a robot named Eve that challenges the outdated archetype that women must be fragile and presents the dichotomy that women can be strong heroes. With films like Wall-E young children will no longer be subject to entertainment that markets women as vulnerable, rather…

Words 1672 - Pages 7

Snow White Gender Roles

By the same token, those stereotypes are deepened by the bold portrayal of domestic women changed into princesses and hidden behind cheerful songs and coloured background. At the time this movie was produced women were naturally born to be a domestic housewife, child bearers with the sole responsibility of contributing to the wellness of their husband and children, and Snow White didn’t help on this facet. When she befriended the dwarfs, it becomes almost natural for her to act as the housewife and…

Words 590 - Pages 3

Gender Stereotypes In Walt Disney's Fairy Tales

have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, fairy tales were re popularized with the advent of the cinema in the 1920s- 30s. Now, the love story of Cinderella and Prince Charming could be glimpsed on the big screen. With the creation of Disney, fairy tales became even more popular. Though women gained immense rights and power previously unknown to them during this decade, ironically the patriarchal tales remained unchanged (largely due to Disney’s own personal attitudes.) Many historians…

Words 1161 - Pages 5

Disney Princesses And Their Influence On Self Esteem

women that will only hurt the self esteem of little girls. Their legacy started with their appearance in mythological traditions and can traced to their influence through the centuries and their imprint that they have left on popular culture today. Disney has created a brand that some people, like feminists and concerned parents, can perceive as portraying women in a weak, stereotypical way. However, others may see princesses as charismatic warriors, that are beautiful inside and out and full of unconditional…

Words 1280 - Pages 6