Disney has been known for their theme parks and in producing movies and shows. They became famous starting from their first cartoon character, Mickey Mouse, and their lists of cartoons started to expand from then on. Disney started to have their own princesses which are looked up to by many young audiences and they somehow became the role model of little girls. This paper will discuss how far Disney Princesses have come in terms of gender politics and female empowerment, from princesses who are ‘damsels in distress’ to princesses who are capable of defending their selves.
Renzetti said that, “Media content mirrors the behaviors and relationships, and values and norms most prevalent or dominant in a society” (1992, p. 107). Media use subjects
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They are the princesses who are most influenced by the patriarchal society. Their only dream is meeting the prince who is their true love. Steinkellner (2014) pointed out that these princesses were passive and the princes are the ones active in the story. Men are the ones who make the story move forward (Mulvey, 1975 & Steinkellner, 2014). Without the princes, the story would not progress and the princesses would have no purpose and no dream. In the latter part of their stories, Snow White and Aurora both fell into a deep sleep only to be awakened by a true love’s kiss that came from their princes and Cinderella was found by her prince through the glass slipper she left at the ball. They were all illustrated as the girls who were ‘damsel in distress’ and in need of a prince charming to save them. They were all saved by their prince, Snow White and Aurora from their death and Cinderella from her evil stepmother and …show more content…
According to Whitbourne (2014), a study by England et al.’s (2011) showed that the first three princesses were “affectionate, helpful, troublesome, fearful, tentative and ‘pretty’”. Whitborne (2014) said that, “As they [England et al.] expected, the earlier films were far more likely to reinforce the traditional male-female distinctions in gender roles.” Women in a patriarchal culture are the ones responsible in doing the household chores and also in taking care of the children. According to Baron-Cohen (2004, p. 93), ”Women are also more “communal” (more selfless, more concerned for others)”. This can be illustrated by the princesses who are shown to be cleaning the house for their family or friends like Snow White, and Cinderella. In addition to that, almost all of the princesses have animals as friends which show how they care for
In the article “Princess Paradox” author James Poniewozik begins with a theoretical situation of a parents nightmare by offering the idea that people should not get on board with the current princess craze, which is little girls being given girly items, he then creates a contrast by stating that women can succeed with their own personal future intentions, and goals. Whereas Peggy Orenstein, author of “Cinderella and Princess Culture”, immediately proposes from her own standpoint that the princess movement is detrimental to young girls, claiming that it will brainwash them into becoming someone they are not destined to be, which is ultimately what they see fit for themselves to strive to be. In both articles, the authors validate how pink
In the article, “The Princess Paradox,” author James Poniewozik argues that even though girls may grow up in a household that nurtures extreme independence and feminism, some girls want to be a princess coupled with being a strong individual. Poniewozik is compelled to explain this new cultural aura concerning both feminism and the desire to be a princess. He explains that now, in opposition to the idea of a need for domesticity as well as the polar idea of feminism, girls believe that they can be a princess independent simultaneously. He also explains that the princess must fit the girl, not the other way around. The author overall adequately supports his claim, that a change in media and film has altered girls’ desire to simply be independent, with details; however, he distracts from the topic at times with unnecessary information that
In the excerpts from both James Poniewozik's "The Princess Paradox" and Peggy Orenstein's "Cinderella and Princess Culture", the authors address the growing market of princess products and how big ticket companies are using this knowledge to turn a profit. Both authors are highly respected journalists who have been published in the New York Times multiple times. Each has done their own intensive research on the media's use of princesses and their culture to make money. While both authors address how corporations are finding profit in "princess culture", Poniewozik focuses on how movie studios found princess stories to bring money in from young audiences, while Orenstein appears more concerned with how Disney branded princesses.
You abide by their will, do what they want, speak when they want you to, and are basically there to just look beautiful and agree with your man. This shows, how women are not only oppressed and have an ideal image to live up too, but that some women are willing to accept these expectations, like Kate, who was once considered a “shrew” but is now the perfect wife. In retrospect, gender roles affect the characters negatively, because Kate ends up being the only woman who will obey because if she doesn’t she has to suffer. The Widow and Bianca however, believe the expectations they should follow are stupid which is why they don’t listen in the bet.
The movie “The Princess and the Frog” is not your typical “boy saves girl” movie. Instead, this Disney movie presents us with a strong female lead who doesn’t need a man to achieve her goals. In many previous Disney movies, it is demonstrated that a girl needs a man in order to get her happily ever after. Without a prince, she is nothing. In “The Princess and the Frog” the gender roles are presented to us as equal, even reverse at times.
However, the later Disney films have gradually attempted to break away from this stereotype resulting in stronger female characters like Ariel, Mulan, and Elsa among others. Keeping this transition in mind, this paper uses semiotic analysis of four popular Disney films, namely, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), The Little Mermaid (1989) and Mulan (1998) to depict the influence of societies ' changing perceptions of women on the portrayal of Disney princesses. These films taking into account the earliest film and certain popular characters that have represented a shift from being the coy damsel in distress to a woman who plays an active role in determining her own destiny. The portrayal of the Disney princess has changed in accordance with the development of women in society over time (1937 to 2013) from demure and traditional to
Walt Disney has been making girls think that in order to be beautiful you have to be the perfect shape and size. (Shortridge). Some people believe that the Disney Princesses are great role models for children because Mulan teaches us to never give up on the strengths we have just because we are girls, Belle teaches us to never judge a book by its cover, and Pocahontas shows us real princesses are strong leaders. On the other hand, some individuals feel that Disney Princesses are bad role models because of their unrealistic body appearance, telling girls every marriage ends with a happily ever after when you get married at a young age, and saying every girl needs a man in order to be happy. Both sides have valid points but in reality everyone
Princesses’ in Disney movies are tied down to a recurring theme: the princess that must be saved from the evil woman by the charming prince. A significant contrast to the usually weak and easily persuaded figure of the father. Even though the women are portrayed as weak, nobody stops to think how strong they have to be to carry the responsibility of an entire household on her shoulder, while the men always seem to be traveling or ill. Fairytales are based on a patriarchal way of thinking and as time passes by, it’s proven to be detrimental to society Women and men are constantly being bound to a series of stereotypes.
The Little Mermaid which was produced in 1989, was the first Disney movie to challenge the traditional gender roles, for the fact that Ariel wanted to explore, and was more independent and assertive in her desires than the earlier princesses of the 1930’s and 50s films. Also the prince in The Little Mermaid went against traditional gender roles as well, simply because he was more affectionate and loving than his prince counterparts in other Disney films. “Both the male and female roles have changed over time, but overall the male characters evinced less change then the female characters and were more androgynous throughout.” (Descartes & England, pg.566). Disney movies have been for a long time a strong media target for children, and can serve as a way to address stereotypical gender roles (Leaper, 2000).
People of all ages throughout the years are very familiar with the concept of Disney movies. Some notable classics of Disney are “Beauty and the Beast” which was released in 1991 and “The Little Mermaid” which was released in 1989. Among the children, the Disney princesses left a good impression on them like Cinderella from “Cinderella”, Pocahontas from “Pocahontas”, and Mulan from “Mulan”. However, many believe that Disney movies serve as a good influence to young audiences but people should know that Disney also has its flaws. Disney have showed negative portrayals of Disney princesses in their films especially when it comes to their usual unattainable beauty ideal and portraying their princesses as inferior to men.
Abstract Most of us have grown up watching Disney films but never really thought of what they exactly mean to us. Our understanding of what it means to be a Disney princess is probably one of the reasons to what made us subject to the regulation of cultural values. Cinderella and other similar Disney princesses may be recognised as a part of an individual’s childhood but the values and ideas it conveyed can still be reflected in our decisions and behaviour as adults. Many young girls perceive Cinderella as a role model and create expectations and beliefs based on what is portrayed through her unfortunately these expectations are not fulfilled and ends in dissatisfaction.
The Disney princess movies had a great deal of influence on many young girls watching princesses represent what royalty looked like. The princesses are always beautiful, polite and seeking the love of their Prince Charming. This plays a strong role in perpetuating the idea that being a princess means seeking only love from a man, and a man who contains all the stereotypical masculine qualities; handsome, powerful and rich. For example, in The Little Mermaid, Ariel had to give up who she was in order to win over the affection of her prince charming. She traded in her voice in order to have real legs and near Prince Eric.
The male roles in the family seem to be above females’ because they get to make decisions for girls. Men feel dominant to women, so the same behaviors as the women are acceptable for them. Along with these, the ladies are not expected to crave love and affection like the gentlemen do. The gender issue of men being dominant and women being submissive used in the drama, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, shows the differences in the roles, behaviors, and expectations appropriate for each gender and is an example of an outdated stereotype. Unlike the time frame of this literature, women in the present are valued equal to men.
In Walt Disney, the role of female protagonists have gradually developed from weakness, innocence and dependence to be courage, bravery, and intelligence as time passes by. For example, Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora stories which are released on 19th century play their roles as pitiful women who are badly treated by villains. The only thing they could do is waiting for a miracle of true love from a charming prince to get them out of the trouble. Furthermore, they all immediately have love at first sight with a charming prince without any hesitation. However, a character of Disney female protagonists from the 20th century to the 21st century are changed dramatically according to the movement for women’s rights, equality, and democracy.
DISNEY SEXISM In society, there are gender roles which put each sex in stereotypical figures. These roles affect the way how we speak, dress and act. In general, women expected to behave feminine such as being polite and fragile and on the other hand men are expected to be aggressive and stronger. All these roles are over exaggerated in Disney 's women and men figures. When we look at the society, children are the ones who are more likely to being manipulated by elements such as media.