Disney movies are some of the most widely known classics that are loved both by children and adults. The culture is made up of the fantasy life with colors and vibrant characters who capture our hearts from the beginning to end. These movies range from a street rat trying to win over a princess in the made up city Agrabah, to a frail princess poisoned with an apple by an evil queen, to a lion falling in love with his best friend in Africa. While there are over a hundred Disney animated movies out there, they are all similar as they share similar themes and characteristics. 
One apparent theme that we have discussed through a movie in class is gender roles. Even since the 1930′s with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney has incorporated male/female gender roles throughout every single movie. The females are always slender and petite with perfect skin and hair. While they are main characters in many of the movies, they tend to stand back while battles are being fought. They are sold on their looks and even sex appeal when they batter their eyes and have their bare stomachs out. The males in these animated films are all portrayed similarly as well. Every prince or male role is powerful, muscular, in control, brave and always saves his princess, usually through violence. Gaston from Beauty and the Beast a tall manly man who is loved by the ladies for his muscles, charm and ability to fight anyone that gets in his way.
As a child with four siblings growing up, I was surrounded by Disney. Not only did I go to the magical Disney World every other year in Florida, but I owned and still own pretty much every animated Disney movie on VHS. The merchandise purchased from the Disney store was endless. My brothers and I all had Disney pajamas, bed sheets, CD’s, toy figures, board games, costumes, plates and silverware, video games and more from our favorite movies. You name it, we had it. Growing up with these movies I don’t think I personally ever thought that I had to dress exactly like these picture perfect princesses. However, I think it is common for children to believe that the things they see and absorb from their favorite movies should reflect real life. For example, Ariel in The Little Mermaid is very slender, brushes her perfect long hair constantly and batters her eyes when around the prince. This may get little girls to believe that they too need to look beautiful on the outside for attention. Ariel will do anything for Prince Eric to fall in love with her like giving up her voice. When she becomes human and marries the prince, she must leave behind her underwater home, her father and her friends. She gives up everything in her life for romance. That’s okay for a fairy tale, but it is not a good idea for young girls in real life.
Disney movies have many similar themes that are quite unlike the real world. For example, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs illustrates that “Love conquers all”. Snow White was presumed dead after being poisoned until the prince came along and kissed her back to life. This message that only a prince or a man can save you and make you whole once again isn’t true in real life. You can get by without a man and still be successful whether it’s in your career or anything else. However, not all of these themes do not pertain to the real world. The Frog Prince or Beauty and the Beast portrays how “Love comes in all different forms” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover” which I think is so important for anyone of any age in the real world to recognize. Overall, past all of the stereotypes and issues that many have argued about, I think Disney has done a great job in entertaining and putting out messages to children such as dreams do come true if you have faith.
One apparent theme that we have discussed through a movie in class is gender roles. Even since the 1930′s with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney has incorporated male/female gender roles throughout every single movie. The females are always slender and petite with perfect skin and hair. While they are main characters in many of the movies, they tend to stand back while battles are being fought. They are sold on their looks and even sex appeal when they batter their eyes and have their bare stomachs out. The males in these animated films are all portrayed similarly as well. Every prince or male role is powerful, muscular, in control, brave and always saves his princess, usually through violence. Gaston from Beauty and the Beast a tall manly man who is loved by the ladies for his muscles, charm and ability to fight anyone that gets in his way.
As a child with four siblings growing up, I was surrounded by Disney. Not only did I go to the magical Disney World every other year in Florida, but I owned and still own pretty much every animated Disney movie on VHS. The merchandise purchased from the Disney store was endless. My brothers and I all had Disney pajamas, bed sheets, CD’s, toy figures, board games, costumes, plates and silverware, video games and more from our favorite movies. You name it, we had it. Growing up with these movies I don’t think I personally ever thought that I had to dress exactly like these picture perfect princesses. However, I think it is common for children to believe that the things they see and absorb from their favorite movies should reflect real life. For example, Ariel in The Little Mermaid is very slender, brushes her perfect long hair constantly and batters her eyes when around the prince. This may get little girls to believe that they too need to look beautiful on the outside for attention. Ariel will do anything for Prince Eric to fall in love with her like giving up her voice. When she becomes human and marries the prince, she must leave behind her underwater home, her father and her friends. She gives up everything in her life for romance. That’s okay for a fairy tale, but it is not a good idea for young girls in real life.
Disney movies have many similar themes that are quite unlike the real world. For example, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs illustrates that “Love conquers all”. Snow White was presumed dead after being poisoned until the prince came along and kissed her back to life. This message that only a prince or a man can save you and make you whole once again isn’t true in real life. You can get by without a man and still be successful whether it’s in your career or anything else. However, not all of these themes do not pertain to the real world. The Frog Prince or Beauty and the Beast portrays how “Love comes in all different forms” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover” which I think is so important for anyone of any age in the real world to recognize. Overall, past all of the stereotypes and issues that many have argued about, I think Disney has done a great job in entertaining and putting out messages to children such as dreams do come true if you have faith.
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