Watching Disney films and playing with derivative products promote preconceived ideas about men and women. A study, carried out on 198 children, shows this.
From Snow White to Elsa, Frozen, Disney Princesses have come a long way. Formerly cutesy and limited to their beauty, they have taken their independence, like Merida (Rebel). But caution remains in order with these female characters, warns a team from Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah, United States). Because these pretty young girls always convey gender stereotypes, in films but also through derivative products, explain the researchers in the review. Child Development.
198 children
A castle topped fireworks, accompanied by music engraved in the minds of all children and their parents: the Disney studios symbol is a guarantee of quality in cartoons. Most mothers and fathers refer to it when choosing a cartoon. A strong symbol but also synonymous with sexism. Indeed, the Disney princesses convey clichés about men and women which are not always for the benefit of little girls.
To demonstrate this, the team selected a group of 198 children aged 5. By questioning their parents and teachers, the researchers assessed their exposure to cartoons and related products – toys, dolls, dinettes, puzzles, etc. They also offered the children a task which consisted of sorting games “for girls” (dolls) , tea sets), “for boys” (action figures, toolboxes) and neutral (puzzles, painting). Young participants of both sexes reacted more to gender stereotypes if they came into regular contact with the Disney Princesses.
Loss of confidence and hesitation
The cartoons that made the studio are at the heart of this study: 96% of girls and 87% of boys have watched at least one. Boys, on the other hand, are less attracted to princess dolls: 4% play with them against 61% of girls. This feminine passion is not without risk: the young ladies who join tend to consider that certain experiences are forbidden to them.
“They do not have as much self-confidence in math and science, illustrates Sarah Coyne, who signs the publication. They do not like to get dirty, so they will try and experiment with things less. It must be said that with the exception of Mulan and her wars against the Huns, Cinderella and her household, as well as Pocahontas, queen of the forest, few “traditional” princesses get their hands dirty. The most recent films are a little more flattering with regard to the status of women. Red-haired Scottish warrior Merida is a proud example.
Sexualized princesses
But it’s not just behavior that the Disney industry acts insidiously. Its imagery also conveys an ideal of thinness from an early age. Could you name a princess with generous curves? No wonder: all cultivate an ideal line… and strangely similar across the different cartoons.
Sarah Coyne sees a dangerous drift, because little girls who feel bad about themselves often turn to this model. “The Disney princesses represent the first examples of exposure to the ideal of thinness,” she analyzes. As women, we’ve been exposed to it all our lives, and it really starts with Disney, when we were three or four years old. On this point, even the most modern princesses cannot serve as a counterexample.
Even more worrying: some princesses are sexualized during their presentation on derivative products. Courageous, independent, the rebel Merida saw herself deprived of her bow and arrows on snacks and cans of soup. The transformation was singled out by some 260,000 Internet users, who signed a petition entitled Keep Merida Brave (Let Merida be rebellious). “Disney thins her, sexualizes her,” denounces Sarah Coyne. The researcher explains that she had a long discussion with her daughter, then aged 3, when the film came out and in front of the supermarket shelves.
A counter-power of the princesses?
This speech, parents do not always have with their offspring. However, the study showed it: talking about the film after its broadcast limits the impact of stereotypes on behavior and well-being. Sarah Coyne also recommends varying the cartoons viewed.
The researcher’s advice does not end there. Boys seem less embarrassed by the stereotypes conveyed by the Disney industry. In fact, their models are much more rewarding: the charming and courageous prince, who comes to the aid of his princess, the superhero – Marvel having been bought by the company of Mickey – or the brave soldier. Consequence: boys have better self-esteem and help others more. Something to delight Iron Man and John Smith.
A “counter-power” to these male heroes, through the intermediary of stronger female characters, could provide an ideal solution. When will there be a movie where the princess comes to the aid of her beloved? The solution could come from the superhero subsidiary of Disney: Marvel does not rule out devoting an entire film to the Black Widow, a member of the Avengers.
Source : Howie Muzika / Flickr
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