Representation of Gender Roles and Stereotypes in Disney Movies

Introduction

“Gender is the structure of social relations that centers on the reproductive arena, and the set of practices that bring reproductive distinctions between bodies into social processes.” (Connell, 2009, Chapter 1). Unfortunately, gender also involves a hierarchy, where we examine inequality in terms of power, wealth, and privilege. One of the ways to learn about gender roles and what kinds of social norms and expectations exist in society is through movies. As the socialization process begins in early childhood, Disney movies serve as a great illustration in terms of questioning the representation of roles. In this paper, I will examine the representation of gender roles and stereotypes by comparing three Disney movies: Snow White, Pocahontas, and Frozen, and try to explain how the portrayal has changed over time.

Early Disney Movies and Gender Stereotypes

Before attending lectures on gender stereotypes, I did not pay attention to the movies I grew up with. When I think back to my childhood, I cannot describe the happiness I felt while watching Disney movies. There wasn't a single Disney movie I missed. Although my mom warned me that what I saw in movies was not an accurate portrayal of real life, I loved comparing myself to the princesses and dreaming of being as beautiful as they were. Now I understand how a child's sense of self is structured by pop culture. I now realize the kinds of stereotypes each movie I watched contained.

My analysis will begin with my favorite Disney animated movie, Snow White, released in 1937. At first glance, the movie shows a princess having a good relationship with dwarfs and an interesting romance, ending happily with cheerful music in the background. However, a deeper analysis reveals that this young lady portrays societal expectations for females. She does housekeeping and acts like a mother to the dwarfs by nurturing them. She is so naïve that she accepts an apple from a stranger and, most importantly, waits for the prince to save her. In terms of masculinity, Snow White can be associated with emphasized femininity because she has “a soft and docile personality that expresses such things as sociability rather than technical competence, fragility in mating scenes, compliance with men’s desires for titillation and ego-stroking, as well as acceptance of marriage and childcare” (Howson, 2005, p. 45). The prince who saves her from her stepmother embodies the ideal type of masculinity, which is hegemonic, as he possesses features such as whiteness, wealth, and education. The release date of the movie allows us to connect its concept with the first wave of feminism. Beginning in the 19th century, women fought for equality. This movement spread, especially with the acceptance of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. However, it slowed down in the late 1920s with the Great Depression. Scholars like Simone de Beauvoir challenged this movement through their writings. According to de Beauvoir, women were the "other" and should be oppressed by culture. In my opinion, at that time, men were afraid of losing their societal power and did not want to empower women.

After Snow White, Disney released three movies: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid. These films were not different from the former one in their scenarios, as they featured beautiful, weak, young females waiting for their strong, brave male partners to rescue them from their situations.

Transition in Disney’s Portrayal of Gender Roles

However, Disney released Pocahontas in 1995, which caught my attention with its uniqueness compared to previous movies. Unlike other female characters, Pocahontas was strong and independent. She was not looking for a prince to marry; instead, she saves her partner from her father’s hatred. If we categorize the type of gender she represents, the ambivalent feminist might fit this female character. She resists her father's rules while also cooperating with her male partner (Howson, 2005, p. 68). We still observe hegemonic masculinity features in the male partner of this movie. I remember being surprised while watching the movie, unable to believe how a female character could act like a male and be strong. What was the reason behind this change? Why did movie writers change their attitudes towards women? This shift can be attributed to the second wave of feminism (1960-1980), which influenced social norms and expectations for females. Even though the revival and wave of the feminist movement occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it did not stop the ripple effect in subsequent years. As previously mentioned, monumental strides were made for women’s rights and equality in the United States. The mentality of the American people changed dramatically. As a result of this movement, affirmative actions such as equal pay for equal work, quotas in policies and campaigns, and special treatment of women and men with responsibilities were introduced.

Recent Disney Movies: A Shift in Gender Representation

If we analyze recent Disney movies, they attempt to correct past mistakes regarding gender stereotypes and create role model princesses for young girls. Frozen (2013) is the best example of these movies. The main characters in this movie are both females. The central theme is not romance but the sister relationship, emphasizing family values. The movie's message is to show that females can make their own decisions and be happy being the heroes of their own lives. The type of gender they represent can be associated with protest feminists. The central message challenges fundamental gender norms by empowering women and giving them control over their lives. The reason behind such movies stems from recent societal changes and the impact of the fourth wave of feminism, characterized by neoliberal values. Campaigns spread by famous women also influence gender roles and norms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not easy to live in a male-dominated world, especially where females face discrimination even in a country's constitution. However, as a female, I believe that we can solve gender issues if we educate our females. The evolution of Disney movies reflects broader societal changes and offers hope for a more equitable future.

References

• Connell, R. W. (2009). Gender: In World Perspective. Polity Press.
• Howson, R. (2005). Challenging Hegemonic Masculinity. Routledge.