IMAGE OF WOMEN AND

GIRLS PRESENTED IN
DISNEY FILMS IN THE
CHANGING CULTURAL
CONTEXT

Bpring semester 2020/2021

AGENDA

1. Portrayal of love, relationship and

women's place in them in the
changing cultural context
1950s
1990s
Nowadays

2. Influence of love's portrayal in

Disney films on views about love and
relationships

3. Is there a future for "Disney

princesses"?
 1950s - movies

Love at first sight

Women in passive role in
the relationship
Men as rescuers

Sleeping beauty (1959) Cinderella (1950)

 1950s - cultural context

Nuclear family
Women are the caretakers,
stay-at-home mums, usually
marrying at a younger age,
less educated
Men are the breadwinners Marriage rate in USA per 1,000
people
 1990s - movies
Breaking with the stereotype of
passive female characters and
heroic male rescuers
Still heavily featuring romantic Mulan
themes (1998)
Women choosing family obligation Beauty and
Pocahontas
over personal fulfillment the Beast
(1995)
(1991)
 1990s - cultural context

Marriage rates falling and divorce rates increasing

Feminist movement and the emphasis on
individuality and diversity
"Soul-mate model" of marriage
 Nowadays - movies

Exploration of other kinds of

Frozen love (sisterly love), reimagining
(2013) the role of a Disney princess
in relationship
Still heavily featuring romantic
Tangled
(2010) themes
Trying to mock the true love
stereotype but still falling for it
Nowadays - cultural
context

Pew Research Center (2019)

 Influence of love portrayal in
Disney films on views about love
and relationships
A study investigating the Disney princess
culture
Analyzing experiences of women who
consumed a lot of Disney princess related
content in childhood and its influence on
adult relationships
Findings: these women were more likely to
view values and relationship patterns
promoted by Disney films negatively
Is there a future for "Disney
princesses"?

Keeping the romantic themes and fairy

tale elements in the movies may become
less attractive for future generations
Leaving behind the heritage of Disney
princesses may cause the movies to lose
their uniqueness
Thank you for you attention
References:
1. Hull, K.E., Meier, A. (2010) The Changing Landscape of Love and
Marriage
2. Towbin M.A et. al. (2004) Images of Gender, Race, Age, and Sexual
Orientation in Disney Feature-Length Animated Films
3. Zhang, S. (2017) Investigating the Possible Effects of Disney Princess
Culture on Young Women: Approach, Ideals, and Gender Roles Within
Intimate Relationships
4. Pickard, S. (2017) Changing Attitudes towards Marriage and Family in
the United States," The Journal of Undergraduate Research
5. Hefner V., Firchau R., (2017) Happily Ever After? A Content Analysis of
Romantic Ideals in Disney Princess Films, Communication Studies
6. Reinhard C. (2017) Heroes, Heroines, and Everything in Between:
Challenging Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes in Children's
Entertainment Media