Gender Discrimination in Disney Movies: A Literature Review

This literature review examines gender discrimination in Disney movies, exploring how these films reflect and potentially perpetuate societal views on gender roles. The review analyzes various academic sources, including journal articles, to understand the evolution of gender portrayals in Disney animated features. The analysis begins with an introduction to the topic, acknowledging the historical presence of gender discrimination and its influence through media. The review then delves into the literature, discussing how Disney's early works often presented stereotypical and dependent female characters, contrasting these with more recent portrayals of strong, independent princesses. Several scholars' perspectives are presented, highlighting the influence of media on children's perceptions and the changing societal values that influence Disney's character development. The review concludes by summarizing the changing nature of Disney's portrayal of gender, from the traditional damsel-in-distress to more empowered female characters, and their implications for audiences. The paper acknowledges that Disney movies have evolved to reflect and influence societal shifts regarding gender equality and individualism.

Running head: GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
Gender discrimination in Disney Movies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Research Aim...............................................................................................................................2
Literature Review............................................................................................................................2
Analysis...........................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References:......................................................................................................................................6

2GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
Introduction
The issue of gender discrimination is found to be present in the human civilization since
times immemorial (Kumar, 2017). This social evil has found a strong foot hold even in the
period of equality and liberty because of the general orientation of the people to this respect. In
this regard it needs to be noted that the vehicles of communication such as that of television,
books and radio broadcasts all have played a significant role in perpetuating this social evil in a
subconscious manner (Beail, 2018). This has led to the perpetuation of gender discrimination in
the contemporary world order when the state leaders are trying to create a safe place for the
women members of the society (Bertović, 2019).
Research Aim
The aim of this research is to understand the issue of gender discrimination as prevailing
in the society by making reference to the various movies which have been produced and directed
by Disney production house.
Literature Review
According to Magotra and Kaur (2018), the visual and the verbal usage of the various
mediums of communication. Play a significant role in the internalization of the different virtues
and vices of the society within the young children. The mode of media is not only a medium of
entertainment for the young individuals of the society. Instead, in the words of Magotra and Kaur
(2018), they have a certain socializing and academic influence of such people. In this context, the
portrayal of the movies and the series are important as they are watched on a regular basis by the
children. According to Magotra and Kaur (2018), Disney is one of the most popular production
house of the children since they mainly deal in animated movies and series. Thus, the manner in

3GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
which the characters are portrayed and shown through the medium of such movies, is extremely
essential since they have the ability to influence the behavior and attitudes of the children.
This point of view has been reiterated by Batool, Naeem and Batool (2017). The authors
are of the opinion that the medium of media is an influential and powerful form of social
institution. It has the potential to make important contribution to the construction of social ideas
and their reinforcement in the society. Thus, in other words, as stated by Batool, Naeem and
Batool (2017), the images of gender as portrayed by the media houses have been found to be
stereotypical in nature. The image of ‘damsels in distress’ is quite petrifying as the women are
shown in a secondary role. As opined by Batool, Naeem and Batool (2017), the female
characters of Disney, are shown in the light of helplessness and delicate, who are perpetually in
the need for the support of the male members without whom they cannot succeed in life. This has
been argued against by Batool, Naeem and Batool (2017) who believes that the media houses are
the ones to be blamed for the perpetuation of the social evils within the community of
individuals.
The article as written by Van Wormer and Juby (2016), seeks the need of the society to
engage in critical thinking process and to rationalize the images which are shown in the Walt
Disney animated movies. Movies are found to be reflecting the realities of the society. According
to Van Wormer and Juby (2016), the issue of gender discrimination, race and ethnic distinctions
are very much present in the society. The Disney movies have tried to capture all of these
inequalities within their production so as to make the consumers and the audience aware of the
various evils which are present in the society. As stated by Van Wormer and Juby (2016), there
is a need to bring about a change in the community by understanding such challenges which pose
the society.

4GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
However, according to Barber (2016), it can be seen that certain changes in the portrayal
of the roles of the Disney princesses has been brought about in the contemporary time period of
the twenty first century. With the emphasis on the need of maintaining gender equality and
individualism, the Disney movies have tried to capture this spirit in their production. As stated
by Barber (2016), from the domestic portrayal of the Disney princesses such as that of
Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, now the producers have changed to the characters
of Rapunzel, Ariel and Mulan. The signifying characteristics of the new female characters is that
they are found to be rebellious in nature and they are widely distrustful of the sexuality of the
male members. They treat their male characters with respect and yet, does not depend upon them
to save them from their problems. Thus, as opined by Barber (2016), there is a depiction of
courage and bravery among the new Disney Princesses.
This argument has been supported by Zhang (2016). This article tries to understand the
reason behind the changes brought about in the characters of the Disney princesses. This helps
the readers to understand the social development which has occurred within the territorial
boundary of the United States of America since the movies are a portrayal of the societal image
itself. Thus, according to Zhang (2016), if the society undergoes a transformation and change,
this is clearly and comprehensively reflected in the movies and the media houses as they are the
vehicles of providing information to the general public.
Analysis
The data which has been collected in the section of literature review represents the view
points and the opinions of the scholars and the authors who have already propended their
theories in the relevant field of study. The authors are seen to be consensual on the fact that in
the earlier movies produced and directed by Walt Disney, the Disney princesses were shown in

5GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
the light of helplessness and dependency (Learmonth & Griffin, 2017). Such princesses did not
know how to resolve their own problems and dependent on their male characters for their help.
However, with the changes in times, this issue was also transformed. The new Disney Princesses
such as that of Mulan, are no longer found to be dependent on the aid of their male characters.
Everyone is shown in their individual light and each of the characters undergo their own
transformation (Benabdellah, 2018). Thus, gender parity is sought to be brought about within the
new Disney movies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be observed that the various movies which have been directed and
produced by Disney, have been, in one way or the other, trying to assert the issue of gender
discrimination I the society. The portrayal of the weak character of the Disney princesses and the
need for a male member to come and save them, have influenced the people in the society to
think that it is the responsibility of a man to save the women of the community. This, in turn, has
led to the perpetuation of the social evil of gender discrimination. This issue further gains a
significance in the contemporary time period because it is now the mandatory obligation of the
state leaders to help establish an environment of equality and peace without any discrimination.
Thus, the need for a change has been sought to be proposed with the aid of this research paper.

6GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
References:
Barber, M. (2016). Disney’s female gender roles: The change of modern culture (Doctoral
dissertation).
Batool, S., Naeem, M., & Batool, F. (2017). Gender Construction And Media Narratives:
Representations Of Gender In Animated Movies. Pakistan Journal of Gender Studies, 15,
199-212.
Beail, L. (2018). ‘Dream Big, Princess’: Identity, gender, power and nostalgia in twenty-first
century Disney culture. Visual Inquiry, 7(2), 87-91.
Benabdellah, F. Z. (2018). Impoliteness Strategies and Gender Differences among Disney
Modern Protagonists. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 3(4), 40-50.
Bertović, M. (2019). Gender Differences in Disney Princess Movies: A Linguistic Study of Six
Movies in 66 Years (Doctoral dissertation, University of Zagreb. University of Zagreb,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Department of English language and
literature.).
Kumar, D. (2017). Gender Role in Disney Animated Movies: An Analysis of Disney Princess
Franchise (Doctoral dissertation, Tiss Tuljapur).
Learmonth, M., & Griffin, M. (2017). Analysing Fiction: The Example of Women’s Work in
Disney Animations (1937–2013). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Business and
Management Research Methods: Methods and Challenges, 152.
Magotra, B., & Kaur, S. P. (2018). Visual Media and Communication: A Conundrum of Gender
Disparity in Animated World. Global Media Journal, 16(30), 1-7.

7GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN DISNEY MOVIES
Van Wormer, K., & Juby, C. (2016). Cultural representations in Walt Disney films: Implications
for social work education. Journal of Social Work, 16(5), 578-594.
Zhang, Y. (2016, December). A Brief Analysis on the Changes of Princess Image in Disney
Movies. In 2016 3rd International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Inter-
cultural Communication (ICELAIC 2016). Atlantis Press.