In the past
10 years especially, women have worked to redefine their position in society so
they are able to have the same freedom as men when it comes to careers. The
feminist movement has more recently had attention drawn to it by celebrities
and respected public figures. It seems that people are finally listening to
women and men who push for social, economic, and political gender equality. So
has this image of a more powerful woman been mirrored in newer Disney films? “In
the 1980’s Disney reinvented their princesses with the release of The Little
Mermaid. Though Ariel ends up marrying her true love, she is rebellious and
ambitious, finding success herself. This change in the princess’s role, lead
Disney and their animation department to realize Disney princesses could do
anything. By the time Pocahontas came out, she was able to stand up for
herself, but herself in risk of a stranger. Mulan was able to fight off an
entire invading Hun army and save her country. These new Disney princesses were
a different kind of role model for young girls” (Yerby, Baron, Lee). As well as
Pocahontas and Mulan, Jasmine from Aladdin is resistant to the idea of being
married to whomever her father chooses, and rebels by running away. And although
Belle does find true love in Beauty and the Beast, she is extremely intelligent
and well read, and does not fall for the first man who wants her.
I would
argue that although the personality of the princess has changed quite a bit, Disney
does still portray the “idealized woman” in their films by exaggerating
physical features. Each princess has an unrealistically thin waist, noticeable
breasts (not too small, yet not too large), beautiful hair, and perfect skin. Do
these images contribute to low self-esteem in women, just as advertising does?
I would argue that they definitely do not help to boost confidence. And is it
just a coincidence that men have significantly lower problems with self-esteem
when Disney portrays them as strong and confident? The link below is to a
Buzzfeed article which draws attention to the unrealistic size of Disney
princesses.
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