GRSJ224/feministinfluence

Non-Feminist Media Influence on Children

Walt Disney Studios was founded in the fall of 1923. Since then, Disney has become a common household name across the globe. Though the company is constantly growing and expanding to succeed in modern times, it is questioned whether their portrayal of men, women, and differing race and sexualities are accurately and fairly represented. Similarly, many movie companies that focus on superheroes, such as Marvel Studios (founded in 1939), a daughter company of Walt Disney Studios, often bring about the same question of misrepresentation.

The Issue

These movie companies have cultivated a vast audience, ranging from primary school children all the way up to seniors, the former being of large importance. With children being easily influenced, the movies they watch are key players in moulding their perspectives. Culturally, Westernized countries are making a progressive effort to equalize men and women, as well as varying sexual orientations. The movies that children are captured by, however, are still being created around the same premises that were used at the time of the companies' foundings, over eight decades ago. Typical superhero movies revolve around a male main character, exposing few, if any, women to the spotlight of great accomplishment. In Disney movies, though the storyline is usually based on a princess, the attention quickly shifts from the courageous task of the female character to the stronger, more valiant male character, who serves as the princess' saviour. It is also unlikely to see main characters outside of the Caucasian race from these companies. Additionally, while both Disney and Marvel have created several gay characters, none embrace the spotlight and take on a major role, perhaps because homosexuality is not found to be entertaining, whereas a damsel in distress is enjoyable to the audience. The enjoyment factor of children combined with parents encouraging these movies is what perpetuates the cycle of wanting another, similar movie to be created, watched, and yearned for again. The unbroken stereotypes in these movies allow for children to grow up with the same ideas in mind, with young girls often idealizing the lives of the princesses, and young boys believing that their female counterparts are subordinate and of no help. As of now, in neither fictional universe is there a character that faces intersectionality and helps demolish more than one stereotype.

Typical Portrayals

Male Characters

Marvel

In majority of marvel superhero movies, the male is seen as the brave saviour. He is strong, determined, and conquers the villain on his own. He appears to fit the masculine stereotype, and often needs to protect a female love interest. In Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Steve Rogers, played by American actor Chris Evans, is originally a slim young boy. He then undergoes a transformation that fits the masculine stereotype, thus allowing him to become superhero Captain America.

Disney

While the main focus is not on the male, the Disney princes also have the role of saving their respective female love interests. The prince in these stories also follow the masculine stereotype of being strong, handsome, and brave.

Female Characters

Marvel

If there is a prominent female character, she is usually the love interest of the male superhero. She is defenseless and needs the hero to rescue her from her troubles.

Disney

The storyline is focused on the female in Disney movies; however, the highlight is on her inability to fend for herself and the need of a prince to conquer a villain or help her find true happiness. In Beauty and the Beast (2017), even though Belle is showcasing many braveries to save her father, the focus of the story is turned to the romantic aspect of the story, letting it be known that the large accomplishments of women can be easily undermined by romance.

The Improvements

There have been recent changes to these standards. In movies such as Moana 2016, shown is a young, brave, Hawaiian girl fighting many obstacles to save her community, with no prince in sight. In The Princess and the Frog (2009), the first black princess is finally recognized, though doesn't differ away from the typical romance story. In the superhero realm, Wonder Woman (2017) shows one of the first female heroes in a film, though not a Marvel Studios production, but rather produced by DC Comics. In the near future, Marvel is set to release a movie about Ms. Marvel, a character who was once Carol Danvers, but is now Kamala Khan, the first ever Muslim-American female superhero. This will be the first Marvel film with a female superhero as the main character. These advancements showcase more characters facing intersectionality and are aiding the progression of moving from a male-dominated world to one where women of all races can be seen as competent and powerful. This display of intersectionality creates a balance between all men and women, and highlights to children that even those who historically may have faced discrimination on more than one account are now able to achieve success regardless of their race or gender. Raising children with these views allows for an advancement of an equalized world. Unfortunately, there is no confirmation about a film with a gay character in a leading role as of yet.