Bella (aged 10) and Sarah (aged 11)
So I was happily surprised to find out that Bella and Sarah were not as disillusioned as I had expected. Perhaps, being older, they’ve begun outgrowing the Disney Princess phase of their lives. They seem to hold a firm grasp on the hypocritical nature of the older Disney films, and they steer towards stronger role models amongst the Disney Royalty.
The Disney Truth 
May 15, 2015 @ 03:12:51
I still think the Disney Princes question is a tad unfair. Until Flynn, none of the Princes were very developed. [Edit! Aladdin was.] Beast/Adam was an exception, and luckily part of the actual movie. Snow White’s Prince Florian/Ferdinand and Cinderella’s Prince Charming/Henry showed up twice and that was all. Eric at least got screentime saving his dog and Ariel, which was why previous to Flynn, I actually liked him the most. Tarzan is kinda royalty, but unfortunately do we generally count him as part of the “Disney Princess” Franchise? Kovu, Simba, John Smith often get overlooked. Which kinda leaves Aladdin. He was in the movie for a good while. 🙂 good for him.
Also, is it so wrong to love a laid back fairy tail? I’m glad these girls identified the active ones as role models! All for good reasons. 🙂 Good for them!
……Dude…. armour AND dresses!! 😀 Both is good.
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May 15, 2015 @ 03:21:25
I wish i had saved that picture when i saw it. So someone grouped some of the Princesses into types, and their release dates were close together.
The early princesses represented classical feminine traits and fairy tails. Beauty, grace, kindness and needed to be rescued. They were Aurora, Snow White, and I think Cinderella, but she also fit with the next group.
Those that were self assertive, confident, curious, but still needed help to be saved. They were Cinderella, Belle, and even Kida. Kinda Jasmine, who also fits wit the last group.
The last group were able to make their own way, free themselves and be themselves, but of course, understand that their environment and people around them being understanding and lenient also allowed them to be that way. These were Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana and later, Merida and Elsa.
People can identify with any group. Some girls want to be housewives (Snow White, Cinderella) and THAT’S OKAY. Some hate the idea (Merida). It doesn’t make one stupid, a gold digger, lazy, or weak to want to take care of a home and possibly take care of a family. Just because you like wielding a sword doesn’t mean you can’t also like pretty dresses or want to get married. Some peeps might not want to get married. These are all ok. 🙂
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May 15, 2015 @ 03:34:46
What I like about Merida’s story is that she actually learned that it is ok to go into an arranged marriage. It didn’t take away who she was or restricted her freedom, it was just a way to keep the clans together. She graciously nearly accepted that responsibility with respect. I am not entirely against arranged marriage and I think they went about it in a good way. Show the wrong way to do it, and then show it in a good light, to understand the purpose. And of course, because it’s disney, they’re going t marry for love, not duty and no one’s going to get offended. Because I’ve seen the whole “No, I don’t want to marry a stranger!” bit so many times (Aladdin, Fiddler on the Roof) I think it would actually be refreshing to see an arranged marriage that they’re ok with start to finish (don’t make the plot about it) that is successful and healthy and long-lasting. I don’t think it puts women back, it just shows the duty and responsibility those who had to do that went through, and teaches people to respect that.
As for armour verses a gown, I hope people know that it is ok to love both, even unequally, and they are not exclusive interests. The girls said it, so I’m glad they’re not pressured to think that they are. I grew up reading about women fighting battles and being involved with both. Cimorene from Dealing With Dragons wore dresses because she was a princess, but still fought as an ambassador and protector. Keladry from Protector of the Small wore dresses to remind everyone she was a girl, not necessarily because she liked them. There is strength in both sides. When people started talking about “strong female characters” they put them in ‘men’s roles’: made them fighters, gave them guns, as if that were the only way to portray them as strong. But there are more ways to be strong, or unique, that need more visibility. Mrs. Weasely was strong even before book 7 where she has to fight, She hated fighting. but she was strong- she knew how to take care of he family and she did. She was an excellent role model of strength, patience, and care. She cared for Harry, a stranger, for Percy when he was with the Ministry, and provided for a poor family. Magi from Fern Gully was old, physically weak and dying, but her wisdom made her so strong and such a role model. Professor McGonnagle was strict and didn’t show favor for her own house, but you had to respect her.
This got away from Disney, but I think this page is a good place to express views and opinions on strengths, good qualities, and role models, in general. Things should be talked about and hopefully Disney will keep providing a wide variety of princesses with different strengths and skills, not just singing, using weapons, and defying authority.
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