What is Disney telling our young girls?
I am doing my Wiki project on gender roles and stereotypes found in Disney films. When I first started researching the topic, I thought it was a bit ridiculous how far people were reading into this. I mean, everyone I know has seen Disney films and no one I know claims that these films had an impact on their life as an adult. Sure, every young girl dreams of becoming a Princess when she grows up, but then she grows up and wants something different. Males see the characters in Disney films, but don't pay too much attention to them, because they are more interested in characters like G.I. Joe or Transformers. I just felt that every article I read was making too big of a deal of the appearance and effect of Disney Princesses.
But after I watched the documentary "Killing Us Softly" in class the other day, I realized that popular culture has a HUGE impact on who we are as people. I began to see the validity in the claims that the people were making about the negative impact Disney films are having on young girls and boys.
I also read this article, which was recommended to me on the MCPop ning:
What's Wrong with Cinderella?
Our world is so inundated with what it is to be a Princess, that young girls want to grow up faster and faster. I remember a controversy a few years ago at the mega-retailer Abercrombie, when they began selling thong underwear for girls ages 7-12. Parents were outraged! But, if you look at it further, you are forced to realize that our society is forcing us to act like this. The images we come across daily are sending us sub-conscious messages about who we should be and how we should act.
I really loved the discussion we had about advertisements the other day and was hoping to further the discussion.
Does anyone feel that they are affected by these ads in their daily lives?
I think we like to think that we are above the influence of ads, but we aren't. I think that every single person has to be influenced in some way by advertisements, and that the influence can be positive too, it doesn't have to always be negative.
What do you think?
I think she was right when she said that the influence of the ads and Disney films for that matter is not something that necessarily must register on the "conscious" radar. But if you see something over and over and over and over and over again, the human mind is built to recognize patterns--that's supported by decades of psychological research. So naturally, the first time you see Cinderella, those concepts may be new to you, and you may actually think about them to some degree because of their difference.
ReplyDeleteBut as you watch "Princess Movie" after "Princess Movie" (and not just with Disney either), you begin to take the pattern, the roles, the concepts, all of it for granted. It becomes part of your pre-existing recognition, and something by which you attempt to compare and recognize other things.
Industries reinforce this. Dresses. Jewelry. Who asks who out. What the Princess is supposed to be and do in a relationship.
And then ask yourself whether it leaves an impression. Honestly, the debate becomes, were we like this before Disney? Or have we become like this because of Disney?
Taking it from the guy's perspective is just as bad. I'm of the personal belief that the effects are just as pervasive. Take Shrek. Shrek wins Fiona over why? Because he keeps after her. She's not sure, but he keeps on coming.
Shrek 2. Same deal.
Now look at any number of hundreds of movies. The same message is driven home: "Guys, if you want the Princess, just work hard enough to convince her, and she's YOURS."
And then we wonder why guys find it so difficult to take "no" for an answer. Um. Because thousands and thousands of tv shows and movies have drilled home the message that you ladies just need to be "won over" -- that you just don't realize we're the perfect man for you, but don't worry, we'll keep at it, and you'll come around, no matter how vehemently, protestingly confused you may be.
You'll come around... just need to keep at it... surely you don't know your own mind. We just need to win you... you need to be saved.
Right. It's everywhere. It's stifling. It's suffocating.
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ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon this blog post dealing with gender, advertising, and literature. It's interesting how much gender is defined by art and the media, and it's evening more fascinating to think about how some of these stereotypes arose to begin with.
ReplyDeletehttp://thenewcurriculum.blogspot.com/2011/08/gender-advertising-and-literature.html
Well,I have some mixed emotions on Disney Princess movies as I have been surrounded by it for the past 6 years with two little girls. We are currently at our peak! But I have to agree Kaylee with your final statements. On one hand, the happily ever after is a little overdone, but I think we all look to find our perfect sole mate even without being a princess.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to say that with the two newest additions to the Princess World I think we are making progress and I think Orenstein might agree. Rapunzel was more of a modern day princess overcoming her kidnapper and taking on Flynn Rider with a frying pan. So for me it showed my daughters a woman of strength. I have recently been to see Brave (no surprise) and this was the first Disney princess who stood her ground and said - No I will not just marry someone because he is a prince and that is the tradition, I will only marry someone I choose, when I am ready. There was no fairytale happy ending in the romance department. I never thought that the happily ever after endings did anything more than make it a happy story for them. Why introduce them to disappointment at that age?
Thongs? I am not really sure what Disney movies have to do with that. Yes, my daughters love dress up and want to wear makeup and my six year old wants to wear big girl clothing, however, I am in control of all of those things. They dress up at home and wear nothing but lipgloss at home. These things are not worn in public and I make judgements on my daughters clothing. I think that parenting plays an even bigger role in how our sons and daughters view these types of movies as fairytales or reality. And yes, I agree that the market is flooded with the Disney Products but again - parenting.
I do have objections to some of the latest dolls that are available for little girls today. I am not sure if your research talks about any of these. Bratz dolls and Monster High Dolls have been avoided in our house. These dolls are dressed in clothing that is too tight and too small for these overdeveloped teenage dolls. I am happy to say my daughters do not play with them. Not that Barbies dimentions are much better, but the only profession Bratz dolls can obtain with their wardrobe is a hooker. Barbie atleast exhausts you with the many careers she continues to have - teacher, doctor, veternarian, just to name a few.
I am interested to read more about your research! Thanks!
Kaylee, I understand where you are coming from when you think that every one is making big deal out of these children's movies. So I did a little research of my own...and it brought me to the barbie arguement. Disney Princess's, yes, they are all beautiful, and thin, with great skin, but they are culturally diverse, don't act promiscuously and usually are teaching morals. Barbies on the over hand, not quite the same story. "BAD GIRL" barbie for instance. Se looks like a porno librarian. In real life, if a girl actually strides to be proportionate to a barbie, she would be dead. Thats right DEAD, not anorexic, or too skinny. DEAD. Have a size twenty waist, be a slut, and still appear professional and happy. Mind my language. Anyways, i think putting a section on barbie in would be a great piece in your wiki chapter!
ReplyDeleteAs a mom whose daughter grew up on a steady diet of Disney princesses, I agree with each comment and the only rebuttal I have is I sat and watched them with her. My job as her mom was to raise an independent self assured daughter. It was always clear to her that this was entertainment, in fact her favorite was the bookworm, Belle. At this young age they identify with a lot, ask my daughter at 3 years-old what she wanted to be when she grew up, "A grocery cashier and a cop." Neither which she is doing as a young woman. Does my daughter identify herself by her clothing size? She sure does, in fact we talked about that the other day and she told me that size 3/4 is now to small for the store displays. My advise, just be there for your daughters and be open to talk about anything and everything.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for the comments everyone! I really appreciate the help with my Wiki, because I felt like I was talking and talking in circles.
ReplyDeleteLochran- I really liked what you had to say from the guy's point of view. I suppose I never realized the message that Disney movies were sending young boys about being persistent. I think I might use some of your opinions/thoughts in my Wiki project. Mind if I cite you?
Robert- I haven't read the blog you sent me yet, but believe me, I will! Thanks for finding it!
Shannon- I applaud you for making conscious decisions in the toys that your daughters play with. I also enjoy the argument you make about the newest Disney Princesses. I have yet to see Rapunzel and Brave, but now, I think I might have to. Also, I think I will add a little blurb about them being the "new" Princess, meaning they are independent, in my Wiki. What I meant by the thongs thing was that it is such a ridiculous product...who the heck would buy their 7 year old thong underwear? But...hey...like you said...parenting. Some people totally would, and that's why it is on the shelves.
Melanie- I am definitely going to add Barbie to my Wiki. I think you make a great point about her dimensions and how we would be dead. I also like the fact that you made an argument for Disney Princesses. I love the Disney Princesses, but now that I look at them, I see that they are telling young girls the same thing that Barbie is...that being thin is being beautiful. I agree though, that Disney is diverse. They have covered an entire range of time periods, religions, races, cultures, etc.
Lynn- It's great that you taught your daughter, from the beginning, that the images she was presented with weren't reality. I feel that that is so important to tell young girls, especially today, when there is more of a pressure to look a certain way than I feel there ever was when I was little. My boyfriend and I are currently trying to reign his 12 year old sister in. Parenting from his divorced parents has really become an issue, and she is a wild child. She was actually reported on facebook by someone anonymous for having inappropriate pictures...and she is 12!! My boyfriend and I have had discussions with her telling her that she needs to straighten up because in five years...in ten years...in 30 years, she is going to look back and be embarrassed that she looked that old and acted that old when she was that young.