What are your thoughts on this issue? Is it possible that Disney princesses and Disney's princess merchandise might have a negative effect on young girls (and, as many of you pointed out, on young boys as well)? Maybe you don't agree with Tueller entirely, but can you see where he is coming from? Or are his claims completely unfounded?
Movies are movies, that's where Hollywood makes it's money. Girls need something to look up to and look forward to and this provides that perfectly fine. I believe people interpret the situation wrong and he presents a valid argument, however not convincing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a valid point that Disney princesses seem devoid of positive mother figures in their lives. But I do not agree with Tueller that Disney is perpetuating gender sterotypes and portraying women in negative ways. Tueller and those who he quotes in his article all seem unifed in condeming the "perfect girl" who is domestic and ends up married happily ever after. What type of princess would they like to see Disney put out there. one who is obese, stubborn, masculine, does not perform any domestic tasks, and is incapable or has no desire of falling in love? I think these princesses show a strong moral compass in spite of not having a mother who is active in their lives, use their talents and resorces to better their positions, are kind to others, and have many positive character traits to back up their physical attractiveness. Most fairy tales were written to teach children a lesson and not to define what is the perfect princess. The stories are classic and timeless although Disney does put its own twist on them; do we really want to see the little mermaid turned into sea foam in the end? We all want a happily ever after and for most of us that envolves becoming the best we can be and winding up with someone who is happy to share our lives with us. I see nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage anyone who thinks Disney is out of line to stop supporting them.
ReplyDeleteTrue, if you do not like what they are doing the best way to stop it is by pulling your interest from them. We give them power.
DeleteDoes anyone think that the "Brave" princess blows this up? The whole movie is about how heroic it is for her NOT to get married!
ReplyDeleteI just want to point out the current Princess campaign being done by Disney, it is not about getting married or about being helpless, it is about all of the positive attributes that princesses have and how each girl is a princess too. Here's one of the images for that campaign just to illustrate my point. (Bellow is the link to the image)
ReplyDeletehttp://24.media.tumblr.com/2f5f3110af8ec6132a50dde81c562ba9/tumblr_mkvdk9fCfT1rcnkw9o1_500.png
I just find it so interesting because it is one of those things that you never really think about. The whole thing about no mom is very interesting because when you look into the original Disney movies the mom is never seen and if she is, she says almost nothing. The only Disney movie that I can think of that really goes against this is The Princess and The Frog.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing we have to take into consideration with these princesses is that during the era the original princesses come from women didn't have much say. Like in Aladdin during that era and in that region women really didn't have much say in about anything.
ReplyDeleteAlex Winter
ReplyDeletei think there is alot to look at but at the same time these are stories and not real life. most of these disney show are about princesses and that shows that there is a monarchy. most are trying to excape the life of responcibility and it just so happens that they end up getting there and doing it for a man for love. I dont see that there is a problem here there is alot of shows were there is a peasent boys. look at cinderella and shrek. they are total opposites.
Alex Winter
I do not think this is an issue anymore. This was an issue in the past but Disney is shifting with our society today. Like Ben said Brave is about how heroic it was for her not to get married. It is a fading issue in my opinion.
ReplyDelete