peer review disney

Write a peer conversation post to the following discussion to look at Disney as an example of the more general messages that pervade our culture and instruct girls and women (and boys and men) about normative gender.

Including one direct quote from the reading attached.

To start off this discussion, it is important to not only analyze the impact of Disney movies, but more so the influence that can occur.  As a child, Disney has been my favorite movie and still. Disney movies take me back to my childhood and I am sure it does for most, but what sticks out to me the most is reenacting princess roles. I enjoyed watching Disney films and many other fairy tale movies, I imagined or believed the characters were real. According to this weeks reading by Lori Baker-Sperry, The Production of Meaning through Peer Interaction: Children and Walt Disneys mentions, Scholars have identified fairy tales as vehicles of gendered messages and forms of perspective literature for childrens and others have argued that such gendered messages are interpreted and reinforced through peer interaction. From my perspective kids learn by observation therefore learning from social media, entertainment, and TV. This is where kids will use a Disney movie to represent their conception.  From this quote, I can say I can agree with both methods in delivering messages identified by scholars. However, I believe using fairy tales translates messages to children effectively because it is a way to interact with children acknowledging what they enjoy. At that age I believe conveying a message to kids in a fun, creative approach sends out the message.

Cinderella was one of my favorite Disney movies as a child and most importantly dressing up as princesses in sparkly gowns, and of course acting as a distressed princess that needs help from a prince, a hero. Reenacting Disney movies is what I remember from my childhood, playing with my cousins and friends. From the analysis done by Lori Baker-Sperry, the observation done displayed children are able to imagine and link characters by the description being read from the story of Cinderella. For example, once the character of the prince was characterized, the girls reacted positively and expressed him to be a romantic character. The girls also expressed that the prince of course would be handsome when the text being read did not identify the prince as being handsome. Although the text does not identify the Prince as handsome, charming, or dreamy, these names were often linked to this character by the girls, particularly when asked about his appearance (Baker-Sperry, 2007). This is a demonstration on how Disney movies have an impact on kids’ imagination and how it is understood. Although, I think there are ways to hinder the messages in films by having conversations with kids about the films and maybe take some time to explain. Another Disney film from the many favorites is The Little Mermaid, this film demonstrated various  life lessons such as fighting for what you want. However, the movie displays gender roles expressing to the viewers regarding genderedized socialization and to follow which men are strong  and brave whereas women are represented or displayed as ideally petite, beautiful and an individual that relies on the presence of a man. In addition, it is displayed women would need to be obedient, dutiful and submissive with domesticated roles in order to achieve a happily ever after.

Most of the main Disney Princesses before some of the new ones were created were mostly focused on traditional roles where all the princesses were dependent on a man and in that process of getting her man she would have to be rescued. For example, Princess Jasmine from the movie Aladdin was saved by a man and married him, Sleeping Beauty was poisoned and was in an eternal sleep. However, Sleeping Beauty can be awakened by a kiss specifically by a man. Lastly, I want to mention is Snow White who lived with seven men and married a prince that also rescued her. Dont get me wrong, I love Disney and the movies they created, but it is interesting to take the time to acknowledge the subliminal messages presented to the viewers, majority children. Overall, there is a connection between these fictional depictions and the way girls and women in society partake or are expected appropriately. Disney often shows gender roles of how society perceives gender norms which are usually princesses having to be responsible for domestic roles and yearning for romance and dependence in men. To conclude, not only Disney films partake in gender roles, but there are many other contributing factors that do as well. I believe by demonstrating in films  that princesses are being praised and rewarded for being beautiful, kind, graceful, innocent, domesticated and married is oppressive. Society applauds those who take the normal path, but if not then what?

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