Disney Effects On Society

Disney Effects On Society

I found this interesting video discussing media created gender roles. The video talks about how Disney has created gender roles through "ideal" images.

The female role is made out to be the domestic wife and caregiver. She is suppose to be the wife, mother, and homemaker. The feminine role is shown as being passive, naive, delicate, and emotional. Intelligence amongst women is not portrait in the media. In addition the cartoons always feature a thin, seductive and sexual female role. This creates a body image that is then considered the norm by society, when it truly is not.

The male role is to be the independent, courageous protector of his family. Disney movies emphasize violence and strength in male figures. Therefore, males are suppose to be fearless and dominant. However, not every guy is going to be violent or even strong.

Kids are exposed to these gender stereotypes at a very young age through Disney cartoons as well as other television shows. This image sticks with us and as we grow older we learn to conform by the norms of society.

Our textbook Media and Society touches on mostly all of these aspects shown in the video. In Chapter 6 on page 213 for example the author talks about traditional female roles being the mother, the homemaker, and a sexual object. The Disney video is proof of how early kids are exposed to gender stereotypes. The book brings up a good point which is that the media industry employs mostly men. Women account for 16% of executive producers, 24% of producers, 14% of writers, 11% of directors, and 19% of editors. These are tiny portions of the industry. Perhaps that is why women are portrait in this incorrect manner.

Gender Roles - Interviews with Kids

I also found this other video showing how young kids are when they have already developed gender role stereotypes. The girl answering that girls have long hair, or the boy saying men are stronger are examples of gender role stereotypes understood by 2-3 year olds. I find it amazing that at their young age they are already conforming with the norms our media has created for society.