This Wednesday we discussed how Disney films perpetuate certain stereotypes.
From gender roles to forms of representation (skin color, hair style and color)
of the characters,Disney cartoons set terms for what ideal beauty is supposed to
look like. They also determine what gender responsibilities are supposed to be
(men being protective of their women, and women being dependent on their
men). While both children as well as adults enjoy Disney films, they are
mainly designed to target the former, and thus shape their perception of an ideal.
A seventeen year-old high school student, Kira Davis recently created a short
documentary which depicts how little children perceive beauty. She interviewed
21 kids and asked each whether they liked a black or a white doll. After the
experiment Kira concluded that 15 out of 21 children chose a white doll saying
that it was more beautiful than the black one.
Considering the age of the children interviewed (about 5-7), what seems to be the
source of influence on their perception of beauty is Disney films. While these cartoons
are portrayed as innocent, they at the same time carry subliminal messages, which
enter children's subconsciousness. Truly, Disney films are more than just depictions
of beautiful, wholesome white couples, they are more importantly one-dimensional
in promoting a specific gender role and appearance, which shape children's
perception as evidenced by Kiri Davis.
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