Paper Bag Princess Stereotypes

Through this passion, children can often become transfixed on immoral qualities such as lying or cunningness that are displayed in fairy tales such as “Aladdin” or “Puss in Boots” (Tatar 309); with this fascination, an evil seed can potentially

Cinderella Stereotypes If you have read the Grimm version of Cinderella, you may have noticed that there are a couple of stereotypes in it. According to Dictionary.com, a stereotype is, "a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group". For example, in the Grimm version book of Cinderella, it says, "'No, Cinderella, thou hast no clothes and thou canst not dance; thou wouldst only be laughed at.'

The minds of children are like sponges, absorbing everything they hear, touch, and see. They are consciously taught ideas in school and participate in subconscious learning of moral behaviors and attitudes outside of the classroom. Disney is undeniably a large part of most children’s subconscious learning. Regardless of the movie, children are internalizing stereotypes of what princesses and princes do and what they look like. Before 2009, the stereotypical princess was a character being of lighter skin, dependent on men, and being of privileged descent.

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.

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.

Although the movies are produced in North America- specifically the United States- the Disney movies have a great international presence. Thus, the Disney princess line and its gender role portrayals have important implications for international children’s media as well (Hubka, 2009). Gender roles- how gender is portrayed via assumed behaviors and social roles- can be stereotypical, neutral, or counter-stereotypical to gender roles (Durkin, 1985). The characters of interest include traditionally masculine (e.g. athletic, brave) and traditionally female (e.g. helpful, nurturing) characteristics exhibited by the prince and princess characters through their behaviors and actions (England, 2011; Descartes, 2011; Collier-Meek, 2011). In addition, these films portray the idea of the princess continuously acting as the “damsel in distress” that is in need of rescue.

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

The fairy tale is known for one of the most well-read genres, including ‘classic’ tales such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast. However, this popular genre has influenced the roles of men and women. In today’s mass media culture, thinking about the importance of fairy tales may seem irrelevant. While some could argue that fairytales are just fantasy, others take it more seriously and can recognize the influence these fairy tales have in reinforcing gender stereotypes. The princess, the damsel in distress, the evil witch, the hero, the prince, the savior, the brave one; we all connect them to the gender stereotypes used to represent men and women in fairy tales.

When we think about the villains Disney cinema produces, the first image that comes to mind is the powerful women who use their magic to cast spells, summon forces greater than life, and enhance their agency. Often, identifying the villain in Disney films is easy, since they differ considerably from gender conforming characters due to their physical features, abilities, and style of dress. When examining the villain, one of the characteristics that stand out, is the villains’ dehumanization and non-heteronormativity. As a result, the villains’ stories may not adhere to idealistic social norms, but it’s their own just the same.

Gender Stereotypes in Cinderella Fairy tales are read to children at a very young age. In today society, many children believe fairy tales are real which reflects negatively on children. The story of Cinderella is widely known across the world with many different versions of this folktale, which portrays gender stereotype throughout the tale. When reading The Cinderella, it shows how unattractive looks can lead to mistreatment by society.

“Beauty and the Beast” is an original fairy tale and over time have incorporated social, religious and cultural themes. An analysis of the Disney version of “Beauty and the Beast” exemplifies the stereotypes of the more subtle forms of social manipulation that fairytales undergo to employ. The question of whether these stories are made for entertainment or send a much larger picture, depicting to children their gender roles within a society. In this paper gender roles will be represented showing the typical female and male character within a society. Historian Sylvia D. Hoffert defines a gender ideal as “the cluster of characteristics, behavior patterns, and values that members of a group think a man or a woman should have, a set of cultural expectations.”

Many children grow up reading fairy tales that affect their behavior and morals as they develop. The themes and morals portrayed in these stories teach children about the world. Fairy tales that are introduced to children by parents and adults are the stories that are reflective of what the culture or adults value their children learn. Fairy tales have the ability to transform a generation through the views of the youngest generation. Thompson claims in his article “Universality of the Folktale” that tales have evolved from their creation, each seem to be similar in nature.

Even though the earlier versions of fairy tales may have been more violent, frightening and overtly sexual they still provided lessons and morals to be learned. Fairy tales provide us another prospective, they are complex iterations of life and the challenges that it contains. Regardless of who is reading the stories, a young girl, or older man, there is always a lesson to be learned through fairy tales. Sometimes lessons are less pronounced than others, but this may be because we have to connect our own personal situations to them for the meaning to be revealed. Those who learned from pre-modern fairy tales have an advantage earlier in life than those who are not exposed to fairy tales.

Australian students are faced with an array of stereotypes particularly surrounding gender. Curriculum resources used in schools, including texts such as fairy tales, contain male and female stereotypes which do not represent all children. As discussed by National Union of Teachers (2013), it is important for educators to challenge these stereotypes to create an inclusive environment. Furthermore, it is important for educators to understand that the relationships connecting gender role models and providing opportunities for children to connect with them directly relate to children 's own gender based behaviours (MacNaughton, 2000, p. 13-15). It is also imperative for educators to recognise and eradicate the many stereotypes which effect students

While many young girls love the princesses and look up to them, others view these characters as negative role models. Disney Princesses have always appeared in movies as young women who dress in elegant gowns, have sexy bodies and perfect hair. They are always paired with a prince who lives in a castle, meaning that he has a lot of money. This description of what the Disney Princess is like; give us a big concern in the influence this image is giving to the little girls. Unfortunately, what girls learn as children carries on into adulthood.