In response to our discussion in class today, I'd like us to continue to explore if Disney films, perhaps, teach children subliminal lessons about gender. I've attached a video I was going to show in class about Beauty and the Beast and encourage you to introduce videos and images to our discussion as a means of further exploring this topic.
Be sure to read your fellow students' comments before posting and engage one another in debate. Let's be professional, let's not be personal, and let's try to see what kind of impact these films might have.
Also, I'd like to ask, is it possible that we defend Disney films because of its role in our childhood (for some of us) as high nostalgia?
I await your responses and will chime in as the discussion progresses.
Video Link (watch up to 3:43)
Another Video Link (some college student project but there's some interesting ideas in it)
Gen Lipkin Pd. 2
ReplyDeleteI think we defend Disney films not because they are a pillar of our childhood but because they represent a form of innocence that we don't wish to see corrupted. We feel the inherent need to come to these films' defense because they were not created to be a realistic representation of everyday life. They do not market themselves as a realistic portrayal. No one watches these films, young or otherwise, with the idea that this is how the "real" world operates. If people wished for a Disney princess whom was more relatable to the "everyday girl," then they should realize the painful monotony of normality.
We watch movies with fantastical plots because we crave the excitement that life deprives us. We are aware that dragons don't exist, pumpkins can't turn into carriages, not all people are physically beautiful, and not everyone finds their soul mate. Aware of this, we watch Disney films to escape into the delirium of impossibility; we secretly wish we had equally exciting and (arguably) fulfilling lives.
I grew up watching Disney films. I do not think a dragon will enter my life in the near future; that's a ridiculous notion. Why is not equally easy to dismiss the reality of "perfect" main characters? It's not. We all know these royals are not realistic, as we do with the dragon. We are able to distinguish between fact and fantasy, at this age and in our past developmental youth.
[Sidenote: One day, Disney will make a movie with a Jewish main character. One day. I'm waiting.]
Julie Cen Pd: 2
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side to Gen's comment is that Beauty and the Beast normalizes abusive behavior. It's not just Disney that does this, it's the Twilight franchise and it's our music videos. It tells girls that they shouldn't leave a relationship because only they can 'rehabilitate' these abusers; that jealousy and isolation is a legitimate form of affection. There is already so little awareness for relationship abuse and so much misinformation, that it poses a legitimate danger to young girls because they are getting into relationships younger and younger.
It's also hard to condemn Disney because there is such an expansive history and they started making movies when racism was acceptable. Their more recent movies are much more socially progressive and substantially less sexist. It's really not an issue with Disney, but we look towards Disney because it has the largest presence. It's the entirety of American media the promotes this culture of violence against women and this general expectation of female passivity.
[Ron Stoppable is Jewish and I'd say he makes for a pretty decent Disney princess.]
Although Disney princesses are portrayed in a stereotypical fashion, I don’t think children should be heavily affected by the subliminal messages present. Usually, it’s the aesthetics, their idealized beauty, catchy tunes, and variety of bright colors that attract most young girls to watch and re-watch the movies. Some of the decisions the princesses make are extreme, such as Ariel deciding to give up her voice & family for a man she barely knows, but children should be able to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. A closer look reveals that these princesses don’t accomplish any goals, besides finding the man of their dreams, if that even counts as one. It should be up to educators and family members to teach these young girls otherwise, that just because Disney displays their women this way doesn’t mean it’s true. You don’t need to depend on a man to find your self-worth.
ReplyDeleteI also found this interesting photo last night that I think relates to our discussion.
http://amandamengel.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/disney-princess-stereotypes2.jpg?w=870
Gen: I share your sentiments about Disney filming a Jewish main character but I wouldn't hold your breath. Additionally, it sounds like you're talking about suspension of disbelief and I wonder when we learn this skill in mental development.
ReplyDeleteJulie: Great point. Media is a reflection of culture and we must consider the implications of the time periods in which these films (or even fairy tale stories) were conceived. If we were to read Huck Finn, I imagine that we wouldn't label Huck a bigot because of his casual usage of the word nigger. It is important to use such a lens when viewing these films.
Cindy: We will analyze how these kinds of stories, stories about women whose purpose in life is to find a man, recur in our media. And it is important to recognize the role of parents/teachers/role models in a child's life. It is terrifying to think of an individual solely raised on media.