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What the Kids are Watching: Disney's Gender Portrayal

NOTE: this video was made for a project which had to provoke a classroom discussion (for or against) so it points out things that i know have been a part of cultures and classic stories but for the sake of the discussion and project i pointed out all the flaws (new or old) Also don't comment unless its positive, constructive critisism, or a intellectual disagreement. thank you. Warning: this was edited all the way up until 4 in the morning for three days straight so this is not my best work!!! Sorry about the bad quality of the clips. was edited on Windows Movie Maker (ugh) Oh yeah and sorry for the spelling mistakes but i was beyond tired when i started typing them . This is a movie i had to make for my History of Communications class this past semester. My teacher at the beginning of the semester had told us he thought Disney was evil and why. though i don't think disney is evil i thought for my final project that i could expand on his idea that disney was influencing younger society. oh yeah we couldn't record the narration in time for i'm going to post it below. read it if you want but i hope that you could watch the movie without it:) INTRO In today's society, perception of gender is an increasingly important topic. Stereotypes of gender roles are seen all over throughout society in today's world. These gender roles are described as characteristic and behavioral norms connected with masculinity and femininity. Many of these stereotype are created and reinforced by mass media targeted at children. No organization has done as much to perpetuate stereotypes than the Disney company. Disney influences the public with its amusement parks, radio stations and network television. Many social critics have questioned whether Disney really promotes true family values. It is interesting to see what messages Disney is sending out to the young viewers of their movies. MASCULINITY VIOLENCE In many of the Disney movies violence is a predominant subject. The men in the movies seem to be always fighting, hitting, slapping, or telling one another to shut up. There is violence leading up to the saving of the princess or beautiful woman. These characters are anything but good role models for the youth of today. BODY TYPE Masculinity is shown in Disney movies by the body types of the men. They seem to focus only on their muscles and charm and don't seem to care whether or not their intelligent at all. The prince in Ariel is physically fit, has muscles, and acts very manly. The prince in sleeping beauty looks identical to the prince in Ariel. Both searching for the most beautiful, wonderful girl to kiss. In The Hunch Back of Norte Dom, Quasimodo is ridiculed, tied up, and bashed with rotten vegetables and fruit because of his appearance. He cowers and this teaches younger boys that if you don't have to looks you should be afraid. These stereotypes of these men are teaching poor lessons to young boys and girls alike. TREATMENT OF WOMEN In Disney movies the men view women more as objects or something to affirm their masculinity and not as human beings. They are abusive and violence towards the women and are indifferent to their suffering. Is Disney sending out a message that its ok to knock women about because it's a way to show that you're a man? FEMININITY BODY TYPE Female characters in Disney movies present a distorted version of femininity. Esmeralda in Hunch Back of Notre Dome, Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, Ariel in Little Mermaid all have highly sexualized bodies. These characters wear midriff clothing showing off their tiny wastes. All have a coy seductiveness and are themed to be eventually saved by a male. AGE Age is the enemy to any pretty Disney princess. Its telling the girls that growing old means to become ugly and evil. Disney is implanting this need to stay young at an early age which may explain the surge in plastic surgery, it's the need to not become old, ugly and evil. SUBMISSIVE BEHAVIOR Belle has to put up with disgusting antics from Gaston. Ariel gives up her voice/ soul in order to win the prince. Snow white cleans the seven dwarf's house to be accepted in to their home. The way that these characters endure the actions of the male characters project bad morals. Disney movies make women look weak and helpless objects whose only salvation is winning their man.

Tags: Disney, femininity, masculinity
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