Animation just like any other type of media is not perfect and is still filled with issues that greatly affect animators and the targeted audience today.
Stereotypes
It is important to be aware of the imagery we are (and those around us) are constantly exposed to as it affects us a lot more then what we may believe. As the use of animation (especially for young kids) can be seen as another form of education, a form of verbal communication. That it forms a subconscious teaching to the mind of what is and what isn't. For instance in the most common stories young girls are subconsciously taught that their role should be of a "princess", to be feminine, enjoy wearing dresses and . To follow upon a very domestic stereotype. Whereas men are subconsciously taught that their role is more valued then the role of the women, that they fulfill the purpose and "save" the women. This as a result teaches men that subconsciously their actions and movements are more relevant. It also subconsciously creates a negative effect as it creates the imagery that a man has to be strong, heroic and muscular. It even goes as far as suggesting that overweight men have negative characteristics, creating a starting foundation for insecurities in the minds of these children
Female Stereotypes
In Disney movies, female stereotypes are often very clear and the most prominent in the representation of the Disney princesses. What is usually conveyed through these princess is that women are weak and are of desperate need of help, that a women's appearance is what defines her presence and stance. That a women's goal should be to marry, as all her deepest dreams and wishes lie between that marriage. Just like I have mentioned with male stereotypes, overweight women are viewed to be unattractive and miserable due to their weight and not being married. These factors are a big problem in animation as when crating an animation one has to think clearly about what message they are conveying. In what way are they teaching and affecting the viewer through the form of animation? Looking at these stereotypes it seems as if Disney was simply trying to please an audience, using features and a perspective of women that was very common at the time, rather then trying to introduce a different perspective to an audience. As an artist I find this very disrespectful as they are wasting their potential by trying to fit in, rather then using the power of their influence to create change.
The princess are also seen having body images that are close to being non-existent in society, from how slim their waists are, to their facial features. It conveys the message that the answer to a women's problems is to be a princess, that things such as a good appearance and wealth are what determine a women's happiness. That the role of a women is to clean and to have a beautiful singing voice, creating an imagery that for a women to not have these things marks her as unsuccessful and a failure. What is saddening about this was that it empowered the medias portrayal of women, to what it now and how difficult it is for women to overstep these boundaries for equal fairness and rights.There is also the fact that the only African-American princess Tiana is often not included in photographs and line ups of princess, being ignored by many. How these stereotypes are also starting to form racial boundaries and offenses.
Maybe Disney need to stop representing Women as princesses and start representing women in another light, and with another concept. Perhaps Disney themselves need to exist the fairytale concept, and challenge themselves to other styles.
Male Stereotypes
Many tend to ignore the stereotypes that surround males and fail to notice that they have just as a damaging effect on males as they do on females. In Disney, male stereotypes are often represented by what being a man truly means, and how a mans masculinity is what determines his worth. For instance in "Mulan" you have the very well known song "Make A Man Out of you", the consistent subconscious idea being put forward that a man has to be strong and heavily built. That he has to be the hero, and must not under any circumstance show any sighs of weakness or vulnerability. There is also the idea that males who are slightly overweight or unattractive take on the form of evil characters as seen in "Beauty and the Beast" Sound familiar? There is also the toxic message that regardless of the females opinion and belief, as long as the male is persistent in aiming to get the female, he will eventually succeed, and that if the character does not it is because he is evil. Not teaching the reality of the situation to young viewers, that sometimes these things don't go well, but that's okay as things move on and so will you. If these things were taught at an earlier age then maybe children wouldn't feel so betrayed as they grow older and learn the truth.
This to me not only conveys the great influence animation has and can have among viewers, but also that when making an animation one has to be absolutely sure of what they are representing and to research the many ways what they are making can be interpreted by the viewers of many different cultures and mindsets.
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