Time Warp

Lets go back in time. Long ago, when I was but a young girl, staying home from school sick. I didn't get to watch T.V. unless I was sick, or movies, except for one on Sunday, or, again, if i was sick. But like all the other little girls, I loved Disney movies. I remember I would climb on the backs of the chairs in the living room and pretend to be rafiki from the Lion king. I never thought of the movies I watched as something that effected my views of myself: There was a girl on TV who was skinny and blond and that's great for her, because she ended up finding true love. That's what it was all about: Finding true love, even though you don't realize it.
Since then, I have realized a lot of parallels in the way Disney portrays it's heroes and heroines, and several of the blogs we read were about the potential connection between the "messages" in these disney movies and the way girls view themselves (and men) in today's society. They pointed out that many of the princesses were perceived as sexual idols and completely defenseless. That the messages these movies portray were that woman should just ride off with the first prince charming that fancies her, and that their salvation rested in there sexuality. They talked about how some of the themes were...let's say, not quite on point. "Advice from Disney Princesses: He's only lying about who he is because he thinks you're shallow and superficial. love him for it!" And this blog makes a point. There are some negative messages in some disney movies.

however. I think this is an extremely cynical way to look at these movies.
What about Mulan? Let's be honest, she was my favorite, and much more my role model than sleeping beauty.

And Mulan? Was anything but what society views a woman to be. She was strong, powerful, stood up to for what she believed in, and things she cared about (her family and it's honor). She Defied the law of the land to protect things she felt were important. Defiant, strong minded, passionate. And she looked beautiful while doing it. I think that's a pretty darned good role model. Not to mention how it portrays the male lead.

                                                                   This guy.

Yes, he is Big, strong, and manly. And he get's his butt saved by this chick.

Or what about Pocahontas?

Again, she defies what society tells her is appropriate (Marrying Kocomo), and ends up saving this guy, just by standing up and speaking out. She teaches the man (John Smith) all this really cool stuff about connection to nature, and not being so materialistic, and love, and changes his life. She is connected to all that's around her and respects all things. Again, I think that's a pretty good role model. Not to mention, is ACTUALLY a princess.

I don't know anyone who didn't like Mulan, or Pochahontas. And I personally thought that the girls in other disney movies were boring, and I didn't really like them that much.

The point of all this.

Media is blamed constantly for onslaughting young girls of what they should be and what they should look like.That advertisement agencies and movie stars should be blamed for all these young girls self image problems. And some of that is true. Being shown "perfect" people probably does have some impact on the way we view ourselves. But It's not there fault girls feel self contentious. Girls have had body image problems for long before the advertisement industry was even started. Remember corsets so tight they made people pass out? or the Chinese shoes that made feet smaller and led to lots of leg and feet problems. And young girls, at least from my perspective, I never looked at Disney stereotypes or billboard ads and thought "Wow, that must be how all girls should look. I should try and emulate that! I want to be just like her!" Girls like powerful woman: That's why they like Mom. I think people are blaming Disney and advertisements for things that would happen with or without there influence. Yes, they have some negative messaging.  But that self esteem issue comes from girls - being girls.