Disney and Gender- Gender Group 2

In order to explore the question “Do gender portrayals in the media create certain expectations and stereotypes within popular culture?” our group has chosen to look at the portrayals of Disney characters based on their gender and how this influences society within the popular culture. We will investigate how the male characters are a false representation of what women expect in real life society. We will also look at the way Disney defines relationships and the way it influences how men and women react in relationships based on these roles.

SOURCES:

Tanner, L., Haddock, S., Zimmerman, T., & Lund, L. (2003). Images of Couples and Families in Disney Feature-Length Animated Films. American Journal of Family Therapy, 31(5), 355. doi:1080/01926180390223987.

In this article, Tanner examines the different themes and roles played out by couples and families throughout 26 different Disney films. Tanner’s research was done to help understand how children gain information about couples relationships. She found that Disney movies were a large source in how children gain relationship information and “in the majority of the movies the couples fell in love, got married, and ‘lived happily ever after’. The idea that love is ‘easy’ and requires no work …” (p. 364).

Lockhart, Andrea Fern (2000). Perceived influence of a Disney fairy tale on beliefs about romantic love and marriage. Ph.D. dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology - Berkeley/Alameda, United States -- California. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text.(Publication No. AAT 9964887).

This article discusses the information found during a study that addresses romantic love and marriage relationships in Disney films. It also investigates the influence of these Disney fairy tales on relationships of gender. The study found that “participants perceived beliefs about romantic love and marriage to be more central in the daily lives of women, resulting in more severe consequences as compared to men” (p. 2).

Faherty, V. (2001). Is the mouse sensitive? A study of race, gender, and social vulnerability in Disney animated films. Simile,1(3), N.PAG. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database

This article focuses on the vulnerabilities onto society. And how they are affected by Disney characters specifically. The study is not limited to just the characters but also discusses the effects of the songs, story themes, and trinkets onto race, age, and specifically gender.