Christensen talks about how
books and elements of our childhood helped mold how we view society. She
mentions Prince Charming as an example and how the fairytale stories set her up
to believe that she needs Prince Charming to rescue her and will sweep her off
her feet. Such stories have hidden messages to them that can warp children’s
view on life and create stereotypes in their minds.
I can personally say
that I am in full agreement with Christensen’s theory. I’m 20 years old and I’m
not afraid to say that I still love watching Disney movies. They remind me of
the innocence of my childhood, when the biggest decision I had to make was what
toy to play with, and they gave me the chance to dream. Regardless, it has
shaded the reality of the situation; I’m not going to go flying on a magic
carpet with the love of my life, fall in love and save a Prince from a curse,
or turn into a human just to be with him. That’s not realistic. Love is
complicated, sometimes messy, and always full of twists and turns. Disney
however portrays it as simply black and white, you either love them or you
don’t.
Disney also portrays
woman in specific ways, especially the classic films such as Cinderella,
Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. And I don’t just mean in the physical sense. All
three films portray the protagonists as delicate females (tiny waist, tiny
hands and feet, graceful etc). They must also however, be rescued by a man to
get out of a difficult situation (servitude, sleeping curse or poisoned apple)
with the result of riding (or dancing) into the sunset. And look at Ariel, when
she gave up her voice, she had to rely on her beauty to entrance him. One of my
piano students has never seen a Disney film because of this very reason. Her
parents want her to know that she doesn’t need a man to make it in the world.
She can be a strong, independent woman with her own goals in life besides
getting married and having children.
In terms of race, Disney
has only started incorporating that aspect only within the last few years,
starting with Tiana. My favorite version of Cinderella is in fact not a cartoon
but a live action film from 1997. It is based off of the Roger and
Hammerstein’s Cinderella and I enjoy it so much, not because of the music or
the phenomenal cast, but rather the color of the cast. Cinderella is played by
Brandy, a black woman, Whitney Houston played the fairy godmother, Whoopie
Goldberg played the Prince’s mother and the Prince is of Asian descent! The
film is not only crossing racial barriers but also ethnic barriers to create a
wonderful musical.
I love Disney
films, or reading a romance novel, but they aren’t reality and they have
actually clouded my view on love. Don’t get me wrong, I will continue to watch
Disney movies but I can’t let them take charge of my views of the world. I want
all the romance and roses that come with love (what girl doesn’t?) but I also
realize that won’t always be the case. Disney, not to mention countless other
forms of literature, stereotype women, gender and love, which ultimately can
affect how a child views the world. These following links look into several
Disney movies (including the ones I have mentioned) and how they portray women,
race and culture.
My question for you is this: Should all parents keep kids
from watching such movies as Disney’s because of the stereotypes associated with
them? Or can they be beneficial for children as well?
In response to your question, I believe Disney should modernize their stories so young girls don't think they have to fall in love with princes and not average nice gentlemen, and also vice versa, princes don't always have to happy by finding a princess. Now a days when someone refers to a girl as a "princess" its usually in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteI agree that young girls are stereotype to Disney Princesses' image of a woman's life but it's actually totally different from it.
ReplyDeleteI loved your analysis of the Disney Princesses. I agree with you, that even as a college student, I still loved watching these movies. Even with the knowledge that these movies are hurting young minds, I still enjoy them. Its clear you put a lot of time and thought into your post, and I'm grateful because it opened up my eyes even more and I learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you talked about the disney princesses and how they all have the same traits! And totally agree that Disney needs to make new films portraying women as strong, bright, independent individuals!
ReplyDeleteI also talked about how the women need men in their lives in my blog too. I feel Disney movies show that women need a "happy ending" and the only way to achieve it is with a man in their life.
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