The last few decades have witnessed a proliferation of a variety of animated films, a majority of which have been made by Disney. An increasing number of young people have watched and enjoyed the creativity depicted on these films. The characters of these films are made with high-level sophistication to satisfy the targeted audience's expectations. Notably, Disney films, which are today the most watched in the world, leave more than a visual impression on the audiences. They play a fundamental role in the socialization process, shaping and changing the manner through which an individual perceives the world.[1] Disney films particularly have a profound effect on young, impressionable and gullible girls who are incapable of differentiating reality from fantasy. Over the centuries, a lot of emphases has been placed on female beauty and character. There has been a significant change in Disney films as far as female beauty and character is concerned. Disney films have gradually changed from portraying women as helpless in the absence of the men in their lives. Instead of sticking to the common theme of dependency and romantic love, where a young woman’s’ success is pegged on a man, Disney films have today, dwelled on other relatable and realistic stories of love between women and of the same becoming their own heroes. Following the impact that Disney films have on young girls, this literature review attempts to answer the question “what is the role of Disney films play in empowering young girls? In order to answer this question, I have researched on relevant areas that surround the topic. One of this areas is the extent to which entertainment affect how children perceive the world, and also the factors surrounding the extent to which young girls are easily influenced by what they see. My sources support the notion that Disney films have evolved over the years to empower young girls and help them gain confidence in themselves.
Craven Allison is in agreement with the fact that Disney films empower young girls. The term of love, or rather the perception of the same has changed over the last half of a century.[2] At first, the concert of love was portrayed from a romantic perspective. Craven uses the characters in the famous Disney film Beauty and the Beast, to exemplify how romantic love is portrayed through the lead characters Belle and the Beast.[3] In other films, young women are portrayed as being helpless and in need of a savior. The savior, usually a prince or a noble man comes and saves them from their miserable lives upon which they end up with a ‘happily ever after’ life.
Law Michelle asserts that Disney films today focus on relationships between females rather than that between males and females. In the recent past, there has been a dramatic turn of events in Disney films, something the feminists can approve of.[4] Law emphasizes that the filial love between young girls and their parents have taken over in films such as Frozen where Sisters Elsa and Anna share a close relationship and bond. Throughout this film, the love between the two sisters is tested and tried and eventually, like most Disney movies, the forces of love conquers every other obstacle.
Ellen Junn supports the positive impact that Disney has on young girls.[5] He emphasizes that the sudden twist in the perception of love shapes the mindsets of young girls as they begin to perceive love outside the romantic realm. Through these characters in Frozen, young girls are able to recognize the importance of family and the connection between siblings. Disney has in this connection broadened the perception of love to include love for family members. Young women are no longer portrayed as objects needy of a man's love. Instead, they can also give back their love and form meaningful relationships with their loved ones.
Danielle Morrison supports the notion that Disney films help girls to gain confidence and to go out and pursue their dreams.[6] He gives an example of the Disney film Mulan, where, Fa Mulan, the female lead character takes her father's place in the army, enlisting as a man to protect the father she loves so much. This film particular depicts the woman as the hero, unlike several films where the man is depicted as the savior of a land. Mulan devises a plan to help her army win the war, all the while pretending to be a man. This film influences young girls to believe in themselves and the power of their abilities. They are able to believe that they are equally as powerful and capable as their male counterparts. Such a film encourages young girls to be confident in themselves and to be the solutions to the problems in the world rather than sitting back and watching the men do all the work. Disney films have changed the manner in which young girls perceive themselves. Cases of women pursuing their dreams and making a difference in the world have become more common due to the influence young girls get from such Disney films.
Disney films have played the wonderful role of making heroines out of young girls, and in so doing creating the perception that girls are as capable as boys. Over the years, Disney films have moved away from strictly displaying men as the heroes and saviors of women to showing women as capable and independent people who can make it happen just as men can. Young women, therefore, grow up with the ‘I can do it' mentality and triumph against tremendous challenges.
On improving diversity and awareness of other cultures and ethnic groups, Baker-Sperry Lori and Liz Grauerholz approve of Disney as an inclusive source of entertainment that takes into consideration all the members of its audience.[7] Sperry contends that in the past, Disney films paid attention to slim white girls with silky hair. These girls were displayed as the real epitomes of beauty. As a result, young girls who did not fit this description of beautiful developed low self-esteem and had several confidence issues.[8] Over the years, however, Disney films have evolved and become inclusive in portraying women from all Walks of life. Today, several young women are able to see people that look like them on the screens and feel confident in who they are. Films such as Pocahontas and Mulan which show the Red Indian princes and the Chinese female warriors are relatable to young girls who look like these characters.
Lugo-Lugo Carmen and Mary Bloodsworth-Lugo assert that by the age of five years, young girls start taking interest in makeup and looking beautiful.[9] This happens to all girls regardless of the ethnic or racial origin. Disney films influence young girls all over the world to perceive themselves a certain way. Since time immemorial, there has been a lot of hullabaloo surrounding female beauty. Young girls are attracted to characters that look like them and gain confidence when such characters are regarded as beautiful in the films they watch.
Karen Wohlwend agrees to the fact that by including young characters from diverse ethnic and racial groups, Disney has become an important part of shaping and changing young girls’ mindsets and perceptions of themselves.[10] Young girls are empowered whenever they see someone who looks like them on the screens. They develop the feeling of worthiness and importance because they can find someone to identify with on the screens. Additionally, young girls are made aware of the fact that beauty has different definitions that cut across all races and ethnic groups.