Gender Stereotypes In Disney

Like a sour candy Disney seems to please some, while leaving a sour taste in the mouth for others. Disney has over the years been called out for their racist and sexist portrayal of characters on the animated screen, and the mistreatment of their “cast members”. To begin, children are very impressionable and the portrayal of woman and non-white characters have been brought to the attention of many, because of the negative impacts and biases it may create in children as they grow into adults one article states, “Disney Princesses represent some of the first examples of exposure to the thin ideal," … "As women, we get it our whole lives, and it really does start at the Disney Princess level, at age three and four." This ‘thin ideal” as everyone

To continue, the article also says, "We know that girls who strongly adhere to female gender stereotypes feel like they can't do some things,"... "They're not as confident that they can do well in math and science. They don't like getting dirty, so they're less likely to try and experiment..." This ideal of feminine beauty that is held in such high regard in the society is found in Disney movies and shows ‘They're not as confident that they can do well in math and science’ something is simple as watching a cartoon can have real and lasting impact on children especially when Disney holds such old school, and honestly sexist ideologies about women and portray them in that way for millions of children to watch and internalize. The Disney Animations do not just stop at stereotyping woman it also targets race. For example, “… the monkeys in The Jungle Book that are …“African American sounding” while the other characters sound British… also singing about wanting to be human, which is symbolic for African Americans wanting to be humans and not slaves…” Sorry, ‘African American sounding’ monkeys are one thing, maybe even acceptable in certain circumstances, but ‘while the other characters sound British’ that in no way you try to put it, is

Imane Boudlal, says that while working … she endured harassment from supervisors and colleagues and faced discrimination for wearing a hijab...The company responded by telling her she could work in the back of the cafe where she wouldn't be seen by customers...Boudlal refused these options…” Disney is known for its outstanding “cast members” and magical experience, but by telling one of their Muslim staff members ‘she could work in the back of the cafe where she wouldn't be seen by customers’ shows that they think that the expression of the Muslim religion does not fit in to the magic in which Disney is promoting, which is highly inappropriate especially with customers with a high amount of diversity coming from all over the world. In another case of discrimination within the Disney company, a pregnant woman was fired for being pregnant in the article it states, “Veronese was 36 when she applied for a job to be the assistant of estate manager … She was hired, but then terminated…after she became pregnant…A Marin jury ruled in her favor … Lucas film committed "pregnancy discrimination, failure to prevent pregnancy discrimination and wrongful termination" Lucas films is a by-product of Disney and unfortunately also, has a record for being sexist ‘… She was hired, but then terminated…after she became pregnant’ There is no way to slice a lemon to make it sweeter, woman already have to make decisions about children and work in their personal lives, but tipping the balance so