disney movies

Stereotypes Stereotypes are generalizations and overgeneralizations about the member of a group; sometimes being positive, more often negative, having a resistance to change (Ziebarth, 2009). “The Disney organization does not create the stereotypes, they simply reflect them” (What about Women in Disney Movies?, 2008). Disney movies, however, are filled with stereotypes, ranging from social stereotypes to racial stereotypes. Although Disney movies are filled with an abundant amount of different stereotypes, the most common stereotypes seen in Disney movies are gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are when a group is generalized based on gender (female or male). In Disney movies the most common area to see gender stereotyping is within the main characters—the princesses. “The Disney princesses are cookie-cutter heroines, who are always curvaceous, have the same attractive features (regardless of race) and rarely take physical risks” (Media Awareness Network, 2009, Para. 7). For example, in Cinderella she is forced to do housework, a task that is commonly instilled onto women who are being stereotyped. This act of making the heroines to do housework is seen throughout numerous of Disney movies; including, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. The reason that this act is so shocking is because it teaches kids, through film, that women are supposed to be the ones in the kitchen, scrubbing the floors, instead of getting a job (something that has never happened in a Disney film). Disney movies and their gender stereotypes are also sending messages to the young girls watching the movies. A message that is frequently told to young viewers through Disney is to “keep quiet and be beautiful” (Maio, 1999, Para 2). This message is shown in the movie Little Mermaid, where Ariel gives up her voice and depends on her looks to win the heart of her prince. Winning the heart of a prince is a very common trait in Disney movies, but this trait is the most offensive to women because