Did you watch Disney movies as a child?

Who was your favourite Disney character when you were young?

Why Study Gender Stereotypes in the Media?

From an early age, mainstream media puts images into our brains, telling us what is appropriate for our gender type.

Young girls are hounded with images of princesses, who tell them that the key to happiness is being fashionable, beautiful, and finding a prince to save you.

Young men are taught that to be successful, you must be good looking and muscular. Young men are sometimes even taught that to be successful means to be manipulative.

Female Stereotype Examples in Disney

The princesses are possibly the most popular Disney characters besides Mickey and Minnie. They are instantly

recognizable to us in terms of their name, dress, story, relationships, etc. When we begin to look closer though, we notice certain similarities between the princesses in terms of

physiques and attitudes.

We can make these connections between Disney films:

- A woman's appearance is valued more than her intellect

- Women are helpless and in need of protection

- Women are domestic and are likely to marry

- Overweight women are ugly, unpleasant, and unmarried

• Snow White (1939)“Whistle While You Work”o She is very happy to be cleaninghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIwa9sPFT5I

Just whistle while you workAnd cheerfully together we can tidy up the placeSo hum a merry tuneIt won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace 

And as you sweep the roomImagine that the broom is someone that you loveAnd soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune 1937 – product of the time.princes and princess – this is how it was then, but children do not understand this.

• The Little Mermaid (1989)o She gives up her voice (literally) to be with a man.

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFVG4VfPmg 2:30

You'll have your looks! Your pretty face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!

The men up there don't like a lot of blabberThey think a girl who gossips is a bore Yes, on land it's much preferred For ladies not to say a word And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for? Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation True gentlemen avoid it when they can But they dote and swoon and fawn On a lady who's withdrawn It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man

The princesses all:

• have long legs

• have small waists

• have dainty facial features

• have long hair

• have flawless skin

• are wealthy

• enjoy household chores/cleaning

• have a perfect life and use their beauty to better their lives

We often see the princesses posing suggestively or "turning on the charm" to get what they want from men.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO6BhtvlHUQ

When we see evil characters in Disney films, the females are usually unattractive. Many times, they are overweight, or have sharp, angular features. When we hear their voices, they are jarring or raspy. They never have any redeeming qualities, and we are immediately pitted against them.

Disney and Sexism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXZVjUyMsI8

Male StereotypesWe don't often think about the males in Disney films. In the

princess movies they do not play a very large role, however they are just as stereotyped as women.

Males often sing about what it means to be a man:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK3x2DOoJIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64

Evil male characters

• Are overweight or ugly

• We never see them with a female companion or being overly independent.

What is this telling our boys? If we are telling our young boys that in order to be successful, you must be muscular, cunning, and you must get the right girl in the end, we are setting them up for failure.

How are these images affecting young girls in our society?

Young girls want to be princesses because they are constantly surrounded by what it means to be a princess.

As they grow older, they may grow out of Disney Princesses, but they are looking toward other forms of media, which, in many opinions, are distorting the female image even more so than Disney is.

Summary of the lessonWhat was the main idea?What are 2-3 supporting details?

Main ideaDisney movies are full of stereotypes.Supporting Idea #1 Female characters are beautiful and use their attractiveness to better their lives; they also rely on men to protect or save them. Supporting Idea #2Male characters are always muscular and are able to “get the girl.” Supporting Idea #3Ugly or overweight characters are either evil or unimportant

Disney movies are full of stereotypes. Female characters are beautiful and use their attractiveness to better their lives; they also rely on men to protect or save them. As well, male characters are always muscular and are able to “get the girl”, while ugly or overweight characters are either evil or unimportant. Children learn these stereotypes and eventually apply them to real-life.

Did your feelings toward Disney change after this class?

Opinion paragraph:Defend or refute this statement:

Classic Disney films should no longer be sold because they promote the stereotyping of

men and women. 1st sentence – your opinion

“Classic Disney films should/should not be sold...”

2-3 sentences explaining your opinion

“Disney films are meant to be purely entertainment...”

“For example…” “Such as in Cinderella….”

last sentence – re-state opinion

“This is why I think...” “In conclusion…” “Therefore…”