The topic of gender equality, culture and environmental effects on girls and young women has brought up the discussion of princess culture - dressing up, waiting for prince charming, the importance of beauty. Both “The Princess Paradox” and “Cinderella and Princess Culture” examine how companies such as Disney are responsible for girls falling into princess culture and influencing them. However, there are distinct parallels between Orenstein and Poniewozik on how they perceive the effects of cinematic influence. Orenstein insinuates that Disney’s princess culture bears a negative impact on the mental health of young girls whereas, Poniewozik disputes that princess culture is a gateway to female empowerment.
In “What's Wrong with Cinderella?”, Peggy Orenstein retaliates against the princess culture that bombards her daughter's life. Princesses, it seems, dominate the market for toys to young girls due to their inexplicable appeal to being pretty, pink and - as most girls see - perfect. As a feminist mother, Orenstein feels the need to rebel against this not-so-sudden craze that attracts her daughter's attention. The author assumes that the subliminal messages presented to her daughter's developing mind aren't beneficial to her future expectations in life. Because of this, she critiques the faults of princesshood in order to demonstrate the possible detrimental impacts that the princess culture may have on a young girl. However, in consistently
In the New York Times article “Cinderella and Princess Culture,” Peggy Orenstein investigates princess culture in today’s society. Orenstein is a successful writer for the New York Times and has published a best-selling memoir. In her investigation into the growing phenomenon of princess culture, Orenstein discovered that large companies, such as Disney, turn a substantial profit by selling costumes, dolls, and various princess themed must-haves. She argues that the princess hysteria sweeping the nation is not teaching kids life lessons, but rather further stereotyping little girls. Orenstein is a feminist herself as well as a mother. She has seen her daughter succumb to the princess craze and has reached a breaking point. Her argument fails
In Peggy Orenstein’s book, she effectively argues that a princess-like society immersed in America's culture is damaging to young girls through her interviews, evidence, personal experience, and humorous tone. Starting towards the beginning of her book, Orenstein exposes to the audience that she too liked Disney. She says that "God
“Cinderella’ and the Loss of Father-Love” and “‘Cinderella:’ A Story of Sibling Rivalry and Oedipal Conflicts” Comparative Critique
Dwarfs in 1937, Disney has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon today. But over the years, various parent groups, scholars and film critics have accused Disney for creating shallow, stereotypical princesses whose ultimate aim was to find her 'prince charming ' and live happily ever after.
Once upon a time there was a story about a girl named Cinderella. There have been many versions of this story written. There is a version for almost every culture, but they all lead back to the original version told by the Brother’s Grimm. Although the story has changed through time, the main plot stays the same. Cinderella is a young girl who is forced into being a servant for her family. She longs for love and affection. She finds it when at the ball, but when she has to leave, she leaves in a hurry and one of the slippers that she is wearing gets left behind at the ball and the Prince finds and starts to look for her. Even though they were separated for short periods of time they still find each other in the end.The Prince takes her to his palace and they get married. This general plot stays the same for all versions of the story, but the differences between Disney’s Cinderella and Grimm’s Cinderella are striking, and they deserve through examination.
Until August 18, 1920, women were restricted rights. Throughout history, gender roles were set as women were ineligible to be educated and get paying jobs, leaving them to stay at home to cook and clean. August 18, 1920 was the day it changed for woman. The 19th amendment of the United States constitution was ratified to give women their own suffrage. After this day, women gained more equality, access to education, jobs in the workforce, and a change in domestic role. Although there was still a general prejudice against women, they had a greater chance of living a diverse life. Because of the gain in rights granted to women, it is expected society can move forward from the limitations women had and demonstrate pride. Although this may seem to be the norm, the women in the Disney princess movies take away from women's rights and move a step backwards.
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
Once upon a time there was a kingdom in a far off land where a princess to be lived. The young girl had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her beauty could not be detected because of all the rags and dirt she had adorning herself. The girl’s name was Cinderella. In another area of the kingdom far off in the woods there lived a huntsman with long shaggy brown hair and taught, strong muscles from the labor he does every day. One day the huntsman stumbles upon Cinderella sitting in the forest and crying with birds fluttering around her worriedly. Concerned, the huntsman makes his way up to Cinderella and gently asks her what’s bothering her. She replies in tears, “My *hic* step mother *hic* and step *hic* sisters hate me. *hic*” The huntsman
“Cinderella”, the original fairytale, is found in a collection of stories created by the Grimm brothers. The story of “Cinderella” is used in order to display and teach children and adults a way of living. This fairytale reflects values such as perseverance and determination. Cinderella, the protagonist, is an outcast her family, as her father is her only blood relative. She is forced to do housework and is not allowed to take part fun activities or share luxuries with her stepsisters. The stepsisters are greedy and do whatever they can to gain their mother’s approval. They believe they are worthy of becoming the prince’s wife. The prince holds a ball to get to know possible brides to be, and he instantly is attracted
While young girls are the main target for Disney princess movies, it has been found that young boys can take in just as much information while watching. Coyne’s article brings up the idea that both genders are affected when they watch these films: “Research has found that boys can learn gender stereotypes from watching female heroines in the media and vice versa” (1910). She explains that depending on the boy, and what characters they decide to identify with, they can start to develop feminine qualities or overly masculine qualities. But, there are many other facts that can reverse these effects, such as young boys already having stereotypes in mind, therefore being uninterested in these movies. Conye’s article, in “Gender Role Portrayal and the Disney Princesses” Dawn Elizabeth England et al., explores this factor, showing that they are not as affected, and do not develop these qualities. This is because most studies focus on: “…traditional female stereotypes more than male stereotypes” (565). They explain that while the role of the prince is important, it is less significant than the impact of princesses on young girls’. Even though these articles have contrasting ideas, they both make it clear that these movies are affecting young children in some way. While it is clear that many others believe Disney is the cause
In this day and age, it is not abnormal to idolize a role model that may have been fabricated from the imaginations of another. Yes, these imaginations of the creators are fictional characters, and it does not matter if these characters live in the pages of a book or frolick across television screens. It is easy to idolize fictional characters. For one, authors and script writers oftentimes do an impeccable job of developing their characters to mold them into someone that many people wish they could be someday. These writers are able to provide a behind-the-scenes look at their characters and show their thoughts and feelings giving their audience a more personal and a possible in depth connection to
Hundreds of Disney movies, such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, have been created throughout the decades have taught many Americans valuable life lessons. When watching the films, we may not realize the impact that they have on our thinking and way of life, but as the stories are watched by generation after generation, it is clear that the popularity of the movies is not based solely on the fact that there are pretty princesses. Many children idolize the characters and make them their heroes, striving to be just like them. In doing so, they are enveloping those characters’ actions into their own character traits. The goodness expressed by many characters in Disney movies has rubbed off onto Americans over the years,
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away from many towns, villages and other kingdoms, a beautiful baby girl was born into a wealthy family. Her name was Cinderella and she had beautiful, luscious hair, and a smile that could make any gloomy day sunny again. She was loved endlessly by all creatures, big and small. Her life was literally the definition of perfection. She received everything she desired in life, whether or not her parents approved of it or how expensive it was.