Apparently,
some people find the female characters from Disney movies stereotypical. I have
to disagree. The only way I find Disney, in general, remotely stereotypical is
the appearance of the female characters. All the princesses and main females
always have a slim, fit body, perfect make-up, and hair. After a fight scene
not a single hair is out of place. Also, the good girl/princess is always
beautiful. This does portray an image for young girls and boys about beauty,
giving them the impression that being beautiful is being thin and flawless
looking.
Despite
the physical stereotypes about women, Disney portrays various personality types
throughout their wide range of films. Mulan, for example, addresses many sexist
and cultural issues. It shows that women can do anything a man can do. Brave
has a similar message, how women can be strong. There’s also the damsel in
distress movies like Rapunzel, but even then Disney movies still have good
underlying, encouraging messages.
If
you think about all the Disney movies you have ever seen, no two characters are
alike. How can Disney in general be stereotypical towards genders?
Not
all female characters are sweet and naïve, waiting their prince. Tinker Bell is
not so sweet, she’s got lots of sassy comments; Cruella De Vil and Ursula are
some of the best known villains, along with Scar from the lion king, and Jafar
from Aladdin. 
There’s
the male chef in “The Little Mermaid” for example. This shows not only girls
can enjoy cooking. Sure there are still Princes and happily ever after, but if
you look at the personalities of the characters, they all really portray different
strengths and weaknesses for both genders.
Disney
movies as a whole are not stereotypical. They display a wide range of
personalities, strengths, and weaknesses for both genders. Though Disney may portray
a perception of beauty, their films also encouraging messages and good themes
for people of any age.
Great personal response to the article. You brought up some good points about how the characters are different.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said what you personally thought about the role of females in Disney movies and how you view them to be more than a 'pretty face'
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