Disney Princesses

I recently came across a picture of the main Disney princesses; attached to each was a saying about what that princess teaches to young girls. For instance, a text box next to Ariel says, "it's okay to abandon your family, drastically change your body, and give up your strongest talent in order to get your man. Once he sees your pretty face, only a witch's spell could draw his eyes away from you." I don't remember a time in my life when I saw the Disney princesses as a good influence, but this example really struck me. It is true that Ariel relies on her looks to win her prince charming over and changes herself in the process. Meanwhile, Snow White's text says that "at first it may seem terrible, being so beautiful that other women get jealous enough to try and kill you. But don't worry, once your beauty attracts a man, he'll protect you." The funny thing about "Snow White" is that the protagonist and her foe battle over who is more beautiful, rather than over a more important trait.

In a larger context, I wonder what these princesses covertly (well, maybe not so quietly) teach young girls who watch and look up to them. After all, it was Professor Halberstamm who says that Disney picked pink as the color marketed to girls. If that is the case, then Disney certainly has influenced girls in ways we may not be able to see clearly. I know when I have children I'll prefer if they don't like Disney princesses for the sole reason of focusing on beauty rather than brains. I hope the image attachment works, so you can all see the rest of the Disney princesses's hidden messages.