Christensen and Disney

Disney was a huge part of my childhood. Snow White was the first movie that I saw in theaters and I think we owned almost every Disney movie on VHS. There’s a nostalgic factor with Disney for me and it reminds me of bonding with my sister as we grew up. My sister and I loved watching Disney together, acting out the movies, and dressing like the characters. We were lucky enough to visit Disney World a few times as kids and we’ve been back together as adults three or four times. Music was also a big part of my childhood; I played the accordion and piano and most of the songs I learned and performed at a young age were Disney. The songs still spark all those happy memories from growing up. Because of this, I think my memories of Disney challenge Christensen’s claims that she discusses in her article, “Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us.”

Christensen believes that when we show young children these movies in the security and warmth of their own home the messages that these movies deliver are even more powerful, that they become a “secret education.” She talks a lot about the stereotyping that is seen in popular Disney movies and how the princess classics send a message that the goal in a woman’s life should always be to get the man. A further complication with this message is that the only way to get the man and live happily ever after is through consumption and beauty. Christensen argues that we need to be looking at these films through a critical lens and analyzing the ways in which the films perpetuate racism and sexism. She urges her students to not just sit around and rant about these issues but also to take action and share this knowledge with the community.

Frozen challenges the typical princess conventions of beauty, character, and goals. I feel as though the film almost mocks the idea of happily ever after at the beginning when Anna meets and “falls in love” with Hans. The message that the film conveys here is to not judge a book by its cover and to get to know people on a deeper level than outside appearances. In the end, the relationship that the movie highlights is the bond between two sisters rather than a fairytale marriage between a prince and princess. I think the newer Disney movies have shown a transformation in female characters from dainty, naive, damsels in distress to empowered, courageous, and adventurous agents of change.

To conclude, I think Christensen is right that we need to not just take Disney (or any film) for what it is and move on, but use the movies as starting points for conversations with children. I hope that Disney continues to be mindful of how they represent certain characters or ethnicities so that they can serve not just as entertainment but as empowering messages for all children.

Because I can't quite let go of the idea that Disney is a good thing for kids, here's a cheesy video that shows some of the GOOD messages that Disney conveys!