When You Wish Upon A Star…

It’s fair say that a majority of American children grow up watching Disney animated films, I know I did.  But what may come as a surprise to many is that, from movies like  “The Little Mermaid” (1989) to “Cars” (2006), Disney has been creating stories that do not only entertain, but also envelope children (and adults) with cultural themes and characteristics, whether we realize it or not.

I remember when I was little, sitting in front of the TV, my eyes glued to the moving images and enjoying so much the pretty princesses and their handsome princes fall in love.  I don’t think I honestly understood what other messages were slowly absorbed into my brain; molding me into a person that would feel the need to follow certain societal expectations.

Looking back now 17 years later to when I was a small, naive, 5-year-old girl, I know that while I was watching Ariel swim gracefully through the ocean, or Aurora singing beautifully through the forest with her animal friends, and Jasmine flying on a magic carpet ride, my subconscious was sculpting an image of myself; taking parts of these beautiful, thin, young women to create a model of what I need to be and look like if I want to fit in to this world.

Even when it comes to societal classes, although we like to pretend that in today’s world we don’t practice a hierarchical system, we still have lower, middle, and upper classes.  In many of the early Disney films that I grew up watching, the main characters usually came from a lower class and only succeeded when, by the end of the story, they’d become a princess or prince.

Such examples include “Aladdin” (1992), “Cinderella” (1950), and “Beauty and the Beast” (1991).  Although a majority of the time it was the prince saving the damsel in distress and making her a princess, these characters all needed to be rescued and then finally topped off with some sort of crown in order for them to live on “happily ever after”.

Even amongst some of these arguably bad messages, there are many good messages that can be found in Disney films too.  Being kind and caring (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, 1937), not judgmental (“Beauty and the Beast”, 1991), respect for all life (“Pocahontas“, 1995), or unconditional love regardless of class or status.

Regardless of all these subliminal messages, bad or good, when the credits rolled, I came back into the real world.  I don’t think it’s fair to hold full accountability on the Disney films for creating these images that may encourage young children to sculpt themselves in a certain way.  Granted it would be nice to see a heavier, curvier, less-perfect princess on the big screen, it is still up to the parents to provide a healthy environment for their children to understand what’s real and what is not.

I lived in a household where my mother was not a non-working, amazing-singing, gown-wearing, tending to my father kind of lady, nor was my father the stereotypical prince charming, (however to my mother I’m sure he is!)  Although they let me escape into these films as a young child, never was my vision blurred by what underlying messages those stories were telling.  I was taught to work hard and to rely on no one but myself.  I don’t need rescuing to succeed when I can simply brush off my knees and try again.

Although my own self-image didn’t really hit me until I was in middle school, my parents were always sure on keeping me on a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.  I know very well that because of these early habits,  although I would be lying if I’d said I wish I’d had a fruit-roll-up in my lunch-bag instead of an apple, I am actually a smarter and healthier person.

I understand what it takes to maintain a healthy image, and what a healthy image really looks like, all thanks to my parent’s guidance and support.  Because of them, I know that the images created by Disney of these princesses were not the same as the normal women I see on a regular day-to-day basis.  I learned what a healthy body should look like and, in fact, many of the princesses bodies would be considered, if they were real people, unhealthy.

Unfortunately however, not everyone’s parents provide their children with such a learning and growing environment.  And like I said before, I do not place all the responsibility on Disney for creating such themes and characteristics, however  I do hope they understand that, because we are such a visual and impressionable culture, that what they place before our eyes does impact the way we choose to grow and live.

I will give Disney credit, as they have created many new stories where even the princesses are kicking some major butt!  In 1998, Disney came out with “Mulan”, a young Chinese girl who joins her country in war.  Although she still falls in love in the end, at least this time it was him who came to her seeking love, and not her looking to be saved.  In fact, there is even a scene in the film where she rescues him!  What improvement, go Disney!

We are seeing more ethnicity, more role-reversal, and more bi-racial relationships then ever before.  I can only hope they’ll take a stand and create one that speaks to Gays and Lesbian’s too.  Our culture is finally becoming more accepting of this lifestyle, one in my opinion that we’ve never had the right to judge as they are not infringing on the rights of others nor are they harming others; it is merely love, how can that be wrong?

I think Disney would be taking a big step in creating two characters of the same sex that are partners.  Hey, the kids will learn about it sooner or later, why not introduce it to them when they are young and impressionable, I can only see it making them more caring and more open-minded people.

As far as I’m concerned, I genuinely love Disney.  I have very fond memories connected to the films, and hope that other people can say the same.  Although I agree that it is time to take some steps forward and include more themes that apply to people of all races, genders, and sexual orientations, I still feel that it is the responsibility of the parents to provide a safe and educational learning and living environment for their children to grow up.

I truly feel that, at the end of the day, Disney’s ultimate goal is to keep children imaginative and yearning for experience, love, and happiness.

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