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Walt Disney Research Paper

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Why Disney’s portrayal of gender is problematic.”

Walt Disney’s representation of gender in their films is problematic. This discussion explores the repetitious characteristics of gender presented by Disney. Cultivation Theory is the basis of the argument. This theory states consistent imagery in media has implications on the viewer's concept of reality. The stable imagery Disney presents of gender is found to be over simplified. The roles are constrained to stereotypes. Lack of diversity in media this impacts the viewer understanding of gender. This can be connected to current gender issues present in our society.

The representation of gender in Walt Disney's films is problematic. Their animations present characters with over simplified …show more content…

Their films feature repetitious themes of gender. These ideas presented have a direct influence on the audience. “Cultivation Theory" proves that consistent representations affect the viewer's perception of reality. This theory explores the “implications of stable, repetitive, pervasive and virtually inescapable patterns of images and ideologies that television provides” (Shanahan & Morgan, 1999). The characters in Walt Disney’s films have identical gender traits. They conform to the stereotypes gender roles discussed in the paragraph above. It’s these characteristic that pose problematic displays of gender. As seen in Fig. 1, the women are young, beautiful and passive. The men are muscular, heroic and assertive. Their value and narratives revolve around this dynamic. There is a prevalent image of valiant men saving vulnerable women in Disney’s films. “The consistency resides [with gender] in the objectification and subordination; the incoherence in the philosophical justifications and ideological formations that naturalize them … Disney constructs gender ‘androcentric hierarchies and dichotomies, with women and nature objectified for the benefit of the male subject’ (Bell, 1995). This portrayal of gender is problematic. This promotes the view that women areb inferior to men. This message is then communicated to their audience forming their concept of reality. “[Media] favoring male power and female victimization and [affects] the chances for women to succeed in society.” (Shanahan & Morgan, 1999). “[In Disney's films] Further identification leads toward a negative affirmation of subordination of the female to a male-dominated world” (Bell, 1995). Cultivation theory verifies the negative implications of these themes. Audiences construct their understanding of the world from these representations. When entertainment conglomerates such as Disney present male dominated dynamics this is problematic. These

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