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The effects that disney princess have on younger girls
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Disney princesses and how it affects girls
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Importance of Princess Figures Isabelle Gill published an article title, “Representation of Disney Princesses in Media.” The main idea in this text it that there is a bias representation of women in many forms in the media. The article refers to how in movies and media women are shown as beautiful and how domesticated they are. This limits women to only being valued for their physical appearance and the contributions they make in the home.
In the article “The Trouble With Disney’s Teeny, Tiny Princesses” by Philip Cohen examines the reason why Disney princesses are so tiny compared to their male counterparts, and what impression it put on the general population who watch many disney movies. Disney has been known to show stereotypical women and men. The damsel in distress, and her knight in shining armor. Some people have called them out on this and they responded with some female empowerment movies. Like Frozen and Brave that do not focus on romance.
These phenomenons bring up the fact that just by them watching this they get a certain perception of a princess and how to be one. Not only does this have an effect on girls so do the approval of others as they understand
From its onset with its first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven 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. In her article, “What’s Wrong With Cinderella?” in the New York Times, Peggy Orenstein expresses her concern over the effect of princess figures like Cinderella on young girls ' perceptions of themselves and how they should behave (“What’s Wrong With Cinderella?”).
The topic of self confidence is a subject that is heavily discussed when it comes to girls of all ages. Journalist, Stephanie Hanes, examines the current trend of sexualization amongst young girls. In the article “Little Girls or Little Women: The Disney Princess Effect”, Hanes examines the current trend of sexualization amongst girls. She addresses the issue of desiring to become a women too soon. Hanes develops her article by using the literary techniques of pathos and logos to describe the emotions young girls feel when they see images of women with unattainable features.
Moreover, there was a study done in 2014 at Kennesaw State University, which focused on how Disney Princess films alters the mindset of young girls, and affects the way they behave when they grow up. The study compared how first generation princesses (Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora) acted versus how second generation princesses (Ariel, Belle, Aladdin, and Merida) acted. When comparing the generations, it was concluded that the producers of Disney have changed how they portrayed females. In an example, Rapunzel from Tangled and Tiana from The Princess and the Frog both had dreams and life goals unrelated to love. Second generation princesses had different dreams from first generation princesses, whose dreams were based on finding true love
The Princess and the Frog is the only Disney Princess movie that is based on reality unlike Snow White or Sleeping Beauty who happened to become a princess by a “true love's kiss” and marrying a prince. These type of princess movies poisons little girls into thinking that if they find their prince they will become a princess and won’t have to do anything. They think that in life their dreams will come true magically and they don’t have to work hard for what they want. These Princess movies should not be seen by young girls.
Evidently, Disney Princess films create a negative impact on young American girls, but there are some people who will argue and believe that they do not. Instead, they think that these films only teaches young American girls to become respectful characters. Yes, it is possible that Disney Princesses can be used as examples for young girls to learn that a person with good moral is respectful. For instance, in Tangled, Rapunzel did not argue back when she was getting yelled at by her mother for wanting to go outside (Tangled, 2010). This instructs young girls that they must respect their elders, and not argue back because that is disrespectful.
She defines "the Disney Princess Effect" as something that little girls perceived through watching Disney princess movies. These movies make girls want to be sexy, not feminine. How is that happening? What's so sexy about a princess? I mean I get the whole damsel and distress part, but I thought we have overcome that concept with the stats the author wrote to prove her point.
The Disney Princess Effect, uses a large amount of interesting, and sometimes questionable, sources, constantly brings the reader through an emotional roller coaster ride, and continually changes up what topic she is talking about in order to, ideally, persuade the reader to believe and follow the ideas that she puts forth. The
In today's society, the issue of gender roles has always been divisive and is still a source of contention for many. Remarks made about women in the media and even in person have always presented difficulties for women. Isabelle Gill writes about the prejudice that women still experience today and how it affects how princesses are perceived. Her article's goal was to highlight the distinctions between men and women in Disney tales. Isabelle talks about how princesses in movies receive unfair criticism and why they should be given more credit.
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.
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 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).
A chronological look at how disney princesses have changed over the years. Princesses are known for their inner and outer beauty. They all have beautiful singing voices and able to hear their problems through their songs. Most of the disney princess films show good will towards all creatures and the animals have an ability to communicate with the princesses.
