Gender Roles Through Disney's Eyes

Disney Films have always been among one of the most popular films to younger generations as well as an important part of our culture for decades now. We've all one way or another watched a Disney film growing up whether it be Toy Story, Lion King, Cinderella, The Hunchback of Notre Dame etc. and have embraced these fascinating stories. Though they maybe fun and magical they don't depict woman in a positive light and thus presents a scewed idea and perception of gender stereotypes to children that aren't represented in real life.

The vast majority of Disney Films portray the female characters as being homemakers, princesses or queens. They are therefore displayed as being helpless, dependent damsel in distress creatures who lye around waiting for their handsome prince charming to rescue them in whatever situation they got themselves into. An example would be Rapunzel, Cinderella, Bella from Beauty and the Beast as well as Ariel from Little Mermaid. This idea sets a message to younger girls that they always need a man to be dependent upon and make the decisions for them. While the Disney male characters are seen as being these rough, tough, strong, powerful, independent, heroic, macho man who are capable of doing anything. An example would be Gastone from Beauty and the Beast and the Beast himself as well as Tarzan, who in this case has his shirt off the entire film and is jumping off trees trying to rescue the girl. Also, these animated films show female characters such as Ariel, Jasmine and Bella( and almost every other female character) as being tall, thin waisted, slender, unrealistically and ridiculously curvaceous and quite vulnerable which creates low expectations to girls and can also impact how they percieve themselves in society.

Don't get me wrong, these movies and stories were made during the 40s and 50s and perfectly fall under the stereotypical gender roles from that time, but even newer Disney films such as Hercules and The Incredibles put their characters into the "traditional" stereotypical gender role. I'm not saying all these films are depleting woman, considering that Mulan was the dominant character in that film who saved all of China and also Cruella from 101 Dalmations.

Considering how these films affect girls, how can they affect a boys perspective on gender roles? the same way? positive? or negative?

How can we as a society prevent the stereotypical gender roles of men and women influence children? and is Disney intentionally trying to portray these themes or are they trying to convey what is "norm" to society? p.s. sorry for the essay:)

Whatever happened to the bubblines of Duff?

Celebrities portray themselves, or are portrayed in a way that keeps their fan base strong, and keeps the fans demanding more. Overtime, the expectations of music fans has become very high for what they receive in the media as entertainment. Exposing sexuality has become an easy way for celebrities to make money. It was not long before Miley Cyrus, who was an "adorable" role model for every 10 year old girl, turned into a "hot" and downright sexy money making machine. On the contrary, singers like Hilary Duff faded into the background because they did not deliver the fan's expectations.

Lady GaGa, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Nicole Scherzinger are all examples of "successful" music artists, who, although very talented, have used their sexuality in one way or another to become popular among the masses. An exception is Taylor Swift; she is a 'clean' yet successful singer because she is able to differentiate her music from her competitors. She has a new feel to her music - mixing Country/Pop together which brings a new sound into the entertainment business and keeps her in the game.

So here is my question to you: Do you think that the media is only trying to live up to the public expectations? Or do the music artists show us what they want on the media, and in-turn influence us to believe that revealing sexuality is a norm in society?

Media's Puppets

Overtime media have taken control of our thoughts, our feelings and almost everything which once belonged to us. Childern to older people, teens to adults they all under media's influence and act like they are puppets of media. Is it ok to let media influence us?

Mainstream Media

I was on youtube and saw this video, and i think it effectively and humorously sums up my opinions on the mainstream media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV5UTHRx0a4

now my question to you is, if everyone knows about these media issues? why is it that these issues still remain MAINSTREAM?

According to media, Homosexuals have no place in Heaven

There is still a lot of debate concerning the controversy of whether homosexuality is genetic or simply a choice. But one thing is crystal clear, religion and homosexuality do not mix any more than water with oil. When all else seems to fail, society falls back on the one thing it can find comfort in...namely religion. the above picture is an example of how media is effectively trying to alienate gay people from religion all together. what could be the solution to this? is it too late to do anything? and could this possibly end sometime in the future?

How Gays and Lesbians are shown in the media

I believe that gays and Lesbians are stereotyped in the media and other form of entertainment and the media trys to annihilate the gay and lesbians on TV by making fun of them for being who they are and making character of them to laugh at them for liking the same gender man being a heterosexual and woman being lesbian to show that they don't approve of it.

Why do you think that gays and lesbians are made fun of in the media?

do you think it's ok to be gay or lesbian and why?

why does the media try to get rid of gays and lesbian?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I seen this on facebook a while back. I was surprised because I heard on the News that the United States had the Don’t Ask Don’t tell policy in the army. The policy prohibits people who "demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because their presence "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." First of all how did this officer on the left know that is soldier was gay? Secondly how has the media contributed to people thinking that if a homosexual joins the army and tell people he is gay it would as they say it “would create an unacceptable risk”? Thirdly what would u do if you where the officer? I personally don't think it is anyones business if someone is gay, and would have no problems at all serving with someone who was gay, so can someone please explain what the whole issue is to me?What exactly is all the fuss about repealing "don't ask, don't tell"?