I went to Disney this weekend and had a thought after seeing the parade. Little girls look up to these princesses from Disney movies, but have no idea that they have an impact on their hypersexualization starting at a young age. For example, when watching or really looking into some Disney movies, it’s quite fascinating that such innocent movies really do have an effect on how girls are living/acting in this generation. For example, when we look at Snow White she is a princess who is the prettiest in the whole land. That is what she is valued for and what saves her in the end by the prince. Looks are everything. Girls learn that guys like pretty girls, not nobodys. When we look at Cinderella, that same can be applied. Cinderella goes to the ball and dances with the prince. Not one word is uttered, they just dance. Looks are everything. He searches the whole land when she loses her glass slipper on the stairs. He is searching for the pretty girl at the ball. It also suggests that the prince likes blondes and not brunettes. The Disney princess, Ariel wants to win the love of Prince Eric, but she is mermaid. The witch, Ursula casts a spell on her and grants her to be human for 3 days. Ariel loses her voice. When she asks, how she will communicate with the Prince, Ursula says, “You’ll have your looks, your pretty face”. She says for Ariel to understand the importance of body language. This is interesting because everyone knows that this is another way to say flirt with him. By flirting you are touching his arm or leg, leaning towards a guy, smiling, laughing at jokes(even if they are lame), etc…This is teaching little girls how to get a guy. It’s a bit early to teach young girls how to snag a guy and it is a bit misleading that these movies are teaching girls to just rely on their looks. Personality obviously doesn’t matter, ha. It is very superficial and promotes sexualization of girls to believe that the only way they can achieve pretty is by makeup. Jasmin is one of the most sexualized princesses. Her eyes are larger than proportionally accurate, her lips are big and her nose is tiny. Her top falls down her shoulders and her stomach is exposed. In the movie, Aladdin, we see Jafar trying to snag princess Jasmin. He is after her looks and has a very aggressive behavior in trying to get her. She plays with Jafar’s head when she sees Aladdin hiding behind a chair in the room. He is there to save her. She talks in a low, seductive voice to Jafar to distract him and says, “Jafar, I never really noticed how handsome you really are” and kisses him. This scene is a bit sleazy. Jasmine uses her body and sexuality, to seduce Jafar. This too is a dangerous message to send to young girls because it tells them that they can use their bodies to get what they want. It is showing girls it’s okay to manipulate.
Disney movies are not as innocent as you think they are. Look a little closer and you will see the impact these Disney movies have on little kids.