This may be something that we are discussing in association with the superheroes on Thursday, but I wanted to mention how Disney movies and other cartoons may affect little boys growing up as well. On top of the princess culture, which I believe is extremely evident in today's culture, I think that the image that is projected on boys is equally important.
In all of these fairy tales and Disney movies there are three main depictions of men: the prince charming, the evil antagonist, or the goofy sidekick. In movies like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast there is always the scary guy whose main goal is to destroy the protagonist (i.e. Jafar and Gaston) but there is also the sidekick who is plucky comic relief as well as does whatever the main guy says (Genie and LeFou – I did have to look that last one up).
I believe that growing up this affects young boys by saying there are only three main roles you have to fill as you grow older. Not every single person can be the main hero or the goofy sidekick. It is equally as unfair to expect all guys to turn into the stunning prince charming or the homeless, yet muscular street rat with a heart of gold.
What it comes down to ultimately is the fact that there are stereotypes in every movie. Even though children’s’ minds are more moldable, I believe that just as many stigmas are being fed to us as adults. Chick flicks and spy movies both have dozens of references to girls only being happy after they found love, or men being smooth, buff guys all the time. It is shocking how much of these are shown in Disney movies at such a young age, but I also believe that in this day and age it is not something that we can easily escape from.
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