"And They Lived Happily Ever After ... If They Married" by Carson Tueller
Here's a great illustration to jump start our conversation on Tueller's essay about Disney princesses! Do you agree with Tueller's arguments? Ultimately, do you feel that the stereotypes perpetuated by Disney are damaging to young girls and women?
I don't like this article. Disney is a company and therefore there to make money. To sale their merchandise, they need to merchandise that appeals to their customers, so of course they are going to have gorgeous people the feeling the role. It is just like any other advertisement, they want to have their product look good.
Disney tell stories that take place in the past. To be accurate, this story needs to have the same views as the time period. Most of those time periods view women as less important than men. To change this would be rewriting history, which would be a tragedy.
That's a very valid point. Many of these stories are from different time periods from long ago, when they had different customs, traditions, and so on. Plus, when Disney was alive, views of women were different than they are now. And Disney princess movies are evolving as society evolves. Compare Snow White to Rapunzel. They have completely different personalities! These movies are changing. Give Disney a break, Tueller!
True, marriage doesn't solve all problems, but it does change people for the better. This is what Disney is showing in the movies in my book. And they are written to be romance movies. They appeal to the little girls out there.
I like what Jenna said. I agree that Disney is trying to make love stories and that is what little girls love to see and watch. I don't think little girls would want to watch Disney if the prince and princess never fell in love and went off having their first kiss in the sunset. Sydney Medsker
I swear I see this argument on Pinterest and Facebook all the time (and that shows what I do with my life...nothing). Disney princesses tend to have roles that apply to the current times. Earlier princesses were more submissive and dependent on others to save them. Since then, princesses have developed more independent roles. Aside from that argument, I have another point to make. Has anybody ever looked up how old these princesses were written out to be? Ariel was 16! Doesn't that seem a little young to be getting married? Plus, it's not just Ariel -- they're all like that! This seems like it would be an equally concerning issue presented by Disney. - Maddie
Haha. Yes, Ariel was sixteen. But The Little Mermaid was a book before it was a movie. I've never read it, but maybe we should think twice on blaming Disney for making Ariel 16.
It has always bothered me how young Ariel is in the movie, too. The story comes from a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, and he does not specify an age for the mermaid in the story. Of course, Disney took a LOT of liberties with the film. In the story, the mermaid (whose name isn't Ariel) fails to get the prince to fall in love with her, so the witch gives her one last option to save herself--kill the prince, and she can go back to being a mermaid. The little mermaid can't bear to kill him, so she throws herself into the ocean and turns to sea foam. Yup. How's that for happily ever after?
Whitby brings up the interesting thing about Disney stories that I learned about two years back. For anyone who is interested in some of the originals before Disney changed them here is a link.
So after I made that statement, I decided to do a little more research of my own. It turns out that Snow White is the youngest Disney princess at the age of 14, but she was also one of the earliest princesses...I guess another sign of the times. Several of the princesses are between 16 and 18 years old, while the oldest might be Cinderella who could be either 19 or 20. Also, apparently the Disney version of Pocahontas portrays her as 18, but according to history she would've been 12 when she met John Smith...what?! - Maddie Walters
No I don't feel they are damaging to women. I like it when younger girls get the fairy tale butterflies and aren't really in love but rather obsessed with the concept of being in love. Let Disney project that. It adds excitement to life. Little girls don’t stay forever stuck in a dream world. It's all part of the maturation process living and learning from experience. I disagree with Jenna, that marriage changes people for the better. It's very bold to say that people who get married are better off then those who do not. I think the ability to love another changes us for the better. The fairy tale roles that young girls look up to aren't damaging they are encouraging. Young women transition out of fantasy and into reality from personal experience.
I have a next-door neighbors that has lived there for over five years. When they just me again they had a baby girl. I cannot believe that she can already go to school. So let little girls have their moment.
I guess I need to word things more carefully. Marriage CAN change people for the better, but those who don't marry or those who were once married and now are not can definitely be happy too. Marriage is ONE of the ways you CAN be happy, and that's what Disney (in my book) is trying to portray in princess movies. Plus they are written to be love stories and there are other great life lessons that can be learned in them too. Sorry if I offended anyone.
The article makes a valid argument, but Disney is just trying to make stories for families and children to love. If someone is truly worried about Disney showing a bad image of what women are suppose to be in society, then we as parents should take the time to explain to them to be strong and independent. Also note that one's parenting technique is completely up to them. Stephen Knotek
Good point. Before parents try making a giant of a corporation such as Disney to change their ways, they should make sure their own house is in order by teaching their children correct principles according to their own beliefs. -Tanner Adams
Come on guys it is just movies!! Holy Cow! I watched them all as a child, and never once thought that I was inferior to men, and needed to get married right away.. I think maybe sometimes, people read way more into things than they should... -Kortney T
I love Disney princesses. I can understand how it can be a misleading for a little girl but i think as we grow up we learn and realize how this is just movie.
Disney is a company that creates movies meant to entertain children. These movies are meant to be fantastical and I think it is the responsibility of parents to explain this to their children. Disney is not to blame in this situation.
Disney is smart. Every girl on the planet wants to feels like a princess no matter if they are a tomboy (Mulan) or homosexual (Frozen?). Disney tries to do this with their films and succeeds. Evan Capron
......and hey! People are always criticizing Disney for corrupting girls. What about boys? I watched Hercules, I loved that movie, but I know for sure I can not bench press a pantheon. Who does Disney think they are, setting unrealistic expectations for boys to be able to get the girl. Evan C.
I feel that because Disney is a company, they try and gain the interests of their audience. I feel like Disney doesn't try to bash on women, they just make their movies aimed towards little girls, because little girls tend to play dolls, and dress up, and house more often. -Kortney T
Little girls begin to have a high hopes to look like princess or to fall in love like these Disney storys portray but the sad part about it is most times they are mislead and Disney is going to do what they do best make money
I don't like this article. Disney is a company and therefore there to make money. To sale their merchandise, they need to merchandise that appeals to their customers, so of course they are going to have gorgeous people the feeling the role. It is just like any other advertisement, they want to have their product look good.
ReplyDeleteDisney tell stories that take place in the past. To be accurate, this story needs to have the same views as the time period. Most of those time periods view women as less important than men. To change this would be rewriting history, which would be a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very valid point. Many of these stories are from different time periods from long ago, when they had different customs, traditions, and so on. Plus, when Disney was alive, views of women were different than they are now. And Disney princess movies are evolving as society evolves. Compare Snow White to Rapunzel. They have completely different personalities! These movies are changing. Give Disney a break, Tueller!
DeleteTrue, marriage doesn't solve all problems, but it does change people for the better. This is what Disney is showing in the movies in my book. And they are written to be romance movies. They appeal to the little girls out there.
ReplyDeleteI like what Jenna said. I agree that Disney is trying to make love stories and that is what little girls love to see and watch. I don't think little girls would want to watch Disney if the prince and princess never fell in love and went off having their first kiss in the sunset.
DeleteSydney Medsker
I swear I see this argument on Pinterest and Facebook all the time (and that shows what I do with my life...nothing). Disney princesses tend to have roles that apply to the current times. Earlier princesses were more submissive and dependent on others to save them. Since then, princesses have developed more independent roles.
ReplyDeleteAside from that argument, I have another point to make. Has anybody ever looked up how old these princesses were written out to be? Ariel was 16! Doesn't that seem a little young to be getting married? Plus, it's not just Ariel -- they're all like that! This seems like it would be an equally concerning issue presented by Disney.
- Maddie
Haha. Yes, Ariel was sixteen. But The Little Mermaid was a book before it was a movie. I've never read it, but maybe we should think twice on blaming Disney for making Ariel 16.
DeleteTheir age occurred to me the other day. Ariel married a twenty year old too. I think it's just a sign of the times though.
Delete-Amber B.
It has always bothered me how young Ariel is in the movie, too. The story comes from a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, and he does not specify an age for the mermaid in the story. Of course, Disney took a LOT of liberties with the film. In the story, the mermaid (whose name isn't Ariel) fails to get the prince to fall in love with her, so the witch gives her one last option to save herself--kill the prince, and she can go back to being a mermaid. The little mermaid can't bear to kill him, so she throws herself into the ocean and turns to sea foam. Yup. How's that for happily ever after?
DeleteWhitby brings up the interesting thing about Disney stories that I learned about two years back. For anyone who is interested in some of the originals before Disney changed them here is a link.
Deletehttp://www.cracked.com/article_18589_7-classic-disney-movies-based-r-rated-stories.html
Stephen Knotek
So after I made that statement, I decided to do a little more research of my own. It turns out that Snow White is the youngest Disney princess at the age of 14, but she was also one of the earliest princesses...I guess another sign of the times. Several of the princesses are between 16 and 18 years old, while the oldest might be Cinderella who could be either 19 or 20. Also, apparently the Disney version of Pocahontas portrays her as 18, but according to history she would've been 12 when she met John Smith...what?!
Delete- Maddie Walters
No I don't feel they are damaging to women. I like it when younger girls get the fairy tale butterflies and aren't really in love but rather obsessed with the concept of being in love. Let Disney project that. It adds excitement to life. Little girls don’t stay forever stuck in a dream world. It's all part of the maturation process living and learning from experience. I disagree with Jenna, that marriage changes people for the better. It's very bold to say that people who get married are better off then those who do not. I think the ability to love another changes us for the better. The fairy tale roles that young girls look up to aren't damaging they are encouraging. Young women transition out of fantasy and into reality from personal experience.
ReplyDeleteTrevor Williams
I have a next-door neighbors that has lived there for over five years. When they just me again they had a baby girl. I cannot believe that she can already go to school. So let little girls have their moment.
DeleteI guess I need to word things more carefully. Marriage CAN change people for the better, but those who don't marry or those who were once married and now are not can definitely be happy too. Marriage is ONE of the ways you CAN be happy, and that's what Disney (in my book) is trying to portray in princess movies. Plus they are written to be love stories and there are other great life lessons that can be learned in them too. Sorry if I offended anyone.
ReplyDeleteThe article makes a valid argument, but Disney is just trying to make stories for families and children to love. If someone is truly worried about Disney showing a bad image of what women are suppose to be in society, then we as parents should take the time to explain to them to be strong and independent. Also note that one's parenting technique is completely up to them.
ReplyDeleteStephen Knotek
Good point. Before parents try making a giant of a corporation such as Disney to change their ways, they should make sure their own house is in order by teaching their children correct principles according to their own beliefs.
Delete-Tanner Adams
I agree, it is the parent's responsibility to help the kids understand.
DeleteCome on guys it is just movies!! Holy Cow! I watched them all as a child, and never once thought that I was inferior to men, and needed to get married right away.. I think maybe sometimes, people read way more into things than they should...
Delete-Kortney T
I love Disney princesses. I can understand how it can be a misleading for a little girl but i think as we grow up we learn and realize how this is just movie.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very misleading!
DeleteYeah, I feel like a female liberal Democrat wrote this paper.
ReplyDeletehaha right?!
DeleteDisney is a company that creates movies meant to entertain children. These movies are meant to be fantastical and I think it is the responsibility of parents to explain this to their children. Disney is not to blame in this situation.
ReplyDeleteI believe it matters only what the viewer thinks, if they like it so be it.
ReplyDeleteOmar Cuevas
It seems like people over-analyze "everything" these days. We just need to relax as a nation.
ReplyDelete-Tanner Adams
I really loved this essay. Made me laugh pretty hard when they were talking about tangled.
ReplyDeleteDisney is smart. Every girl on the planet wants to feels like a princess no matter if they are a tomboy (Mulan) or homosexual (Frozen?). Disney tries to do this with their films and succeeds.
ReplyDeleteEvan Capron
......and hey! People are always criticizing Disney for corrupting girls. What about boys? I watched Hercules, I loved that movie, but I know for sure I can not bench press a pantheon. Who does Disney think they are, setting unrealistic expectations for boys to be able to get the girl.
ReplyDeleteEvan C.
I feel that because Disney is a company, they try and gain the interests of their audience. I feel like Disney doesn't try to bash on women, they just make their movies aimed towards little girls, because little girls tend to play dolls, and dress up, and house more often.
ReplyDelete-Kortney T
Little girls grow up believing something that may never happen! So sad! I wish love was like what Disney says it will be like!
ReplyDeleteLittle girls begin to have a high hopes to look like princess or to fall in love like these Disney storys portray but the sad part about it is most times they are mislead and Disney is going to do what they do best make money
ReplyDeleteJake S