http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1533-8525.2009.01147.x/full
The author of this article is claiming that due to Disney’s extreme popularity, the company is more susceptible to criticism. The main point in the article is, “Walt Disney Corporation’s close associations with what are widely considered positive moral values serve to make it an attractive target for a broad range of social problems claimsmakers.” Most people feel that having a good reputation is always a positive thing, but this article proves that it can also be negative. Disney is expected to do certain things and live up to certain standards while their rivals are not held up to these same standards because they do not have as big a role in society. This article further analyzes specific critiques of Disney from three social groups onservative Christians, political progressives, and social scientists. The article concludes with discussing these critiques of Disney and how with a company so large it is bound to receive criticisms.
This article is really interesting and it made me think about things I hadn’t before. There are so many groups constantly criticizing Disney for everything they do. Liberals think Disney is to conservative while conservatives think Disney is so liberal. Almost every organization has something to say about Disney, but they can not please everyone 100%. I can begin to explore why people expect so much from Disney and other large media conglomerates. Are these companies just responsible for producing movies or are they responsible for pleasing several groups’ diverse interests? Is it Disney’s responsibility to set a good example for children? No matter how Disney makes their princess look, act, or feel someone is going to criticize it. The works cited page includes many writings about Disney that can definitely help my research and paper. The author’s argument can help shape ideas in my own paper as well. If I am looking at the progression of Disney’s female characters I can look into if this progression came from common criticisms. From this article I can also assume that no matter how much progress Disney makes people are always going to criticize them for something.
Katie,
I really enjoyed your blog posts! Disney played a huge role in my childhood while I was growing up. Even today, I still love watching Disney movies like The Lion King and Frozen. I wrote a paper similar to this for EDUC258 last semester so I have explored many of the controversies that you are now researching. In my opinion, when young girls watch Disney movies they are doing it for entertainment and they’re using their imagination. I do think girls realize that these princesses are “pretty” and they probably want to look like them. However, I don’t think they ultimately have body image issues as teenagers because of the princesses. Rather, I believe that body image issues for teenage girls come from magazines and advertisements of models not cartoon princesses. As you said, it is impossible for Disney to please everyone but I think there are definitely a number of pro-Disney advocates in the world who ultimately keep the company successful.
Good luck with your research!
-Bailey
Hello!
I’m happy to read the progress you are making with your paper. This is the first paper I have read where Disney is put in a “good light” about their movies and how they portray their characters, so it’s refreshing. As a result of the other negative papers I have read about Disney, I understand that many people judge and criticize them even when they make progress and change their views of princesses and female characters. Movies like The Frog Prince, Frozen and Brave are all examples of Disney changing to meet the desires of critics that insulted their previous style of characters. You should discuss how Disney’s views have changed to please their audience and the reviews they received after these changes. The press is crucial to how the world perceives Disney, so this should definitely be a topic in your paper.
I look forward to reading more. Keep up the good work!
Brianna Shumate
Katie,
I really enjoyed reading this article. I too have never thought about the different social groups that Disney had to please in the production of their movies. I think it’s interesting that Disney always tries to project a positive image to its viewers, but yet it is still so chastised for portraying the “wrong” message, to young children. I do think that before Disney was portraying a more negative message onto young children, but over the years with the influence of the criticism from its viewers Disney has changed the messages it tries to portray to children. I also really like the questions you proposed in your second paragraph. I think if you could address those in your final research paper it would give you a few really good points to talk about. Good luck on your paper!
Ashley
I really enjoyed this post, and reading the attached article. Like Brianna said, it is interesting to read an article where disney is not being criticized, and I found this piece very interesting, because I had never really considered the pressure and expectations disney has been placed under by other groups. I think that the pressures on Disney are immense, but might prompt positive change, such as the pusblishment off more progressive movies like Frozen, the Frog Princess, Mulan, and Brave, in which the disney princess character is also the hero, and does not rely on a man to solver her problems, send a more empowering message to little girls. I look forward to your next post! Keep up the good work!
Lola
Katie,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post. It really surprised me that so many groups are criticizing Disney. It does make sense once it is out in the open but I had not thoroughly thought about it before. I liked the way you explained how no matter how many groups Disney tries to please, someone will still complain. Thats the world we live in I suppose. I think you’re right that the author’s argument can help shape your paper because the images of Disney princesses, although misleading and perhaps misguided, should not be taken literally and/or seriously.
Great post and i can’t wait to read more!
Alec Manougian
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