Since I was young, I become a film lover. Disney was the first and most important source of films in my life; I watched every single film Disney made, from Snow White to Brave, dreaming someday to wake up and be a princess, like Cinderella. I’m sure I’m not the only one, I know that every child fells and desires the same I did. However, the truth is, now as a grown up, I realized that most of these films that I loved and dreamed about when I was young, often portrayed gender roles and racial stereotypes.
On the one hand, Disney movies strongly influence children to conform to stereotypical images of women and men. While woman ought to be a mother and housewife, a man role is to work out of the house. Through this characterization, little girls seem to learn what womanhood is like. Women are commonly portrayed as sensible, emotional and weak. In contrast, men are depicted as strong, courageous and powerful. However, Disney movies are not the only source through which children are influenced regarding gender role and stereotypes. Generally, children’s immediate environment as home, daycare centers, and schools also play a significant role in their socialization.
On the other, regarding racial discrimination, Disney has shown a progress in including ethnic heroes and heroines like Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), and an Asian-American female figure like Mulan (1998), taking a multicultural and anti-racist approach.
Therefore, the purpose of this blog is to show these instances of stereotypes in Disney films so as to make you aware of them since media sources like television and movies influence the way individuals, in this case, particularly children, behave and perceive society, learning from what this movies present to them.
SO LET’S GET STARTED!!
On the one hand, Disney movies strongly influence children to conform to stereotypical images of women and men. While woman ought to be a mother and housewife, a man role is to work out of the house. Through this characterization, little girls seem to learn what womanhood is like. Women are commonly portrayed as sensible, emotional and weak. In contrast, men are depicted as strong, courageous and powerful. However, Disney movies are not the only source through which children are influenced regarding gender role and stereotypes. Generally, children’s immediate environment as home, daycare centers, and schools also play a significant role in their socialization.
On the other, regarding racial discrimination, Disney has shown a progress in including ethnic heroes and heroines like Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), and an Asian-American female figure like Mulan (1998), taking a multicultural and anti-racist approach.
Therefore, the purpose of this blog is to show these instances of stereotypes in Disney films so as to make you aware of them since media sources like television and movies influence the way individuals, in this case, particularly children, behave and perceive society, learning from what this movies present to them.
SO LET’S GET STARTED!!