This is a link to article that addresses the importance of Disney princesses as role models for young girls. The article emphasizes that Disney is clearly making an effort to change the normative view of a “princess”.
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
One of the first Disney princesses was Sleeping Beauty
(1959). Most young girls grew up with Sleeping Beauty as their role model, a beautiful,
blonde, white and wealthy princess. Sleeping Beauty’s normative image brain
washed young girls into believing all princesses looked like her. This was the
beginning of societies impact on young children’s minds via film and
television.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The first Disney movie with a black princess was released in
2009. “The Princess and the Frog” changed societies view of a “princess”. Young
girls watch Disney movies like “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast” and the
princesses in these movies become these young girls role models. By adding a
black princess to the Disney princesses that is also not born into wealth but
was part of the working class. This new princess gives black women a voice and causes
a change in the normative view of a “princess”.
Brave (2012)
The Disney movie “Brave”, aired in 2012, introduces a princess
that isn’t like other princesses. She doesn’t want to wear dresses or get
married she would rather practice archery. Archery is a very masculine sport
and the fact that a princess shoots a bow and arrow very well challenges the
normative view of femininity. Merida is accused of being a lesbian by critiques of the film and this is ridiculous. This accusation addresses the link between gender and sexuality along with performance. Merida is judged and accused of being a lesbian because she doesn't fit into the typical female gender role. This is a direct result of society and the idea of binary gender and sexuality. A female should be able to act feminine or masculine and not be accused of being gay. In modern society people judge everyone because of what they do and place them in different categories. This is wrong and should not be how the world works. Characters like Merida are challenging the norm and clearing paths to eliminate a binary outlook on gender and sexuality.
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