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Is Disney Princess Culture Limiting Your Daughter for Life?

CBN

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Disney princesses have influenced the minds of young girls for the past 93 years. But new research shows that engagement in the Disney princess culture may not be so harmless.

Disney and Gender Stereotypes

Sarah M. Coyne, Brigham Young University family life professor, says that the Disney princess culture perpetuates stereotypical behavior in young girls.

"I think parents think that the Disney princess culture is safe. That's the word I hear time and time again, 'It's safe,'" Coyne said. "But if we're fully jumping in here and really embracing it, parents should really consider the long-term impact of the princess culture."

Since Snow White hit the big screen with her seven dwarfs in 1937, Disney has heavily influenced gender norm and expectations. It appears the earlier girls are introduced to these ideas, the more damaging the effects can be.

"There is this worry that gender stereotype exposure to toys and play tend to then limit girls' perception of what they can do in the future,"  said Dr. Carissa Dwiwardani, the director of Psychological Services Center at Regent University.

It's a notion that Coyne's latest research backs

"We know that girls who strongly adhere to female gender stereotypes feel like they can't do some things," Coyne said. "They're not as confident that they can do well in math and science. They don't like getting dirty so they're less likely to try and experiment with things."

"Researchers recommend to expose girls to as many toys, play and interest as possible so that there is diversity in what they feel like they can explore in their future," Dwiwardani told CBN News.

A 'Thin' Ideal 

Studies also show that Disney's influence carries well into adolescent, negatively affecting a young girl's body image.

"I think it's important to think of Disney as just one example of the values our society holds. So one of those values is the 'thin ideal,'" Dwiwardani said. 

"If you look at the silhouettes and the physical features of female animation characters, then they tend to be more restrictive. That doesn't necessarily correspond to reality," she added.

Young girls with low body self-esteem tend to engage more with the Disney princess culture. Coyne suggests that's because these girls are seeking to define beauty standards.

"As women, we get it our whole lives, and it really does start at the Disney princess level, at age 3 and 4," Coyne said. 

Disney has come a long way since Snow White dutifully served seven dwarfs while waiting to be rescued by her prince.

More recent Disney female characters Ariel (1989) braves a new world, Mulan(1998) goes on to save China, and Merida (2012) in the movie "Brave" learns the value of honoring her mother and father while still holding on to her own identity.

Yet those values are largely overshadowed by marketing that hypersexualizes each character.

Coyne describes Merida as strong, brave, and independent, but Disney marketing "slims her down, sexualizes her, takes away her bow and arrow, gives her makeup--feminizes her."

The focus for young girls is still on beauty, likeability, and getting a boyfriend. 

Biblical Characters: Strong Role Models

So how can parents help limit the potential damage being done to their daughters?

Coyne said she has had to change the way she parents her daughter. 

"This study has changed the way I talk to my daughter, the things I focus on, and it's been really good for me as a parent to learn from this study," Coyne said.

Dwiwardani suggests parents teach their children about biblical characters who serve as strong role models.

Biblical figures like Sarah, Deborah, Esther, and Ruth stand as examples of women who had an inner beauty but went to work and even ruled in kingdoms.

"The Proverbs 31 woman...is praised for her fear of the Lord, for her strength, for her dignity, for her wisdom. She is somebody who engages in business...she is prepared for calamity, she is kind to her employees, she is kind to the poor and generous," Dwiwardani explained.

Dwiwardani agreed with Coyne that parents should focus more on character development.

"The Bible makes it very clear for both men and women that character is more important than appearance," she said. "Character most foundationally at its core is our identity as God's beloved...This message need to be communicated to children that they are children of God."
 

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