Essay On Gender Roles In Disney Movies

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How are gender represented in Disney films? What socio-cultural meanings are made through those representations?

Pocahontas

There are many study shown that females have been under-represented on different media programs, which gender stereotypes is still rooted in nowadays society. The representation of man and woman by media are where societal stereotypes reflection on our society. Also, sociocultural factor greatly influence the way people think and create perceptions of the real world, which effect on people’s behaviors (Behm-Morawitz & Mastro, 2008). Although nowadays gender representation in media try to reproduces people’s behaviors, role and expectation in real life, but stereotypes still difficult to change. Disney films are mainly targeted on children, thereby, in some extents it can influence on people’s opinion on gender role from young age. …show more content…

As one of the first Disney movie that introduces different culture and different culture interacting with other culture, Pocahontas give the audience an idea of multiculturalism. With long muscular arms and legs, tiny waist, healthy copper skin and huge breasts, the image of Pocahontas present in the movie is emphasis placed on traditional beauty. Different to other Disney princess, Pocahontas present the general public a princess from Native American’s land, who is displayed as a independent and highly spiritual young lady went after her dream and rebelled against the men.

Female representation in Pocahontas is complicate. Pocahontas as the only Disney princess, who did not fall in love with a prince and does not depend on others to save, she breaks the stereotype that women have to merry a men for happiness. Different to the real Pocahontas, she returns and plighted her to her tribe in the movie. Hence, it proves that it is difficult to break and change the gender stereotypes present by the

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