While I was watching the “Princess and the Frog” with my little girl cousins this thought came to me. Is Disney ruining our children? Is Disney sending our children the wrong messages? My oldest cousin is nine and I worry that as she gets older she will start to pick up on the “real” messages that Disney seems to be putting out there. I’m sure that Disney is not purposely feeding children in my opinion gender and social stereotypes, but as an adult I can easily pick up on the stereotypes. For example:
Princess Jasmine: First off she is forced to be married which shows young girls that their feelings really don’t matter. Secondly, when she does love in with Aladdin she is looked down upon because she wants to marry someone that is not equal to her standards, which tells little girls that true love doesn’t matter and that marrying rich is the way to go.
Princess Cinderella: In the movie, she lives with her awful step mother and sisters, and then is later save by a Prince not because she is a hard, diligent worker, but because she has a pretty face and little feet. This shows little girls that no matter how hard you work being pretty is the only way to make it and be successful.
Princess Ariel: Growing up I loved this movie as a little girl, but as I watch it now I pick up on little messages such as the idea that women should be seen and not heard. In the movie, Ariel gives up her voice to be able to be with the Prince. Secondly, why did Ariel have to be the one to the idea to alter herself? Why couldn’t the Prince want to live among the mermaids? I feel that this relates to body image Ariel wasn’t happy with her body to the point where she went and entered a unsound decision.
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