Images of Couples and Families in Disney Feature-Length Animated Films

Tanner, Litsa Renee; Haddock, Shelley A.; Zimmerman, Toni Schindler; Lund, Lori K.

doi:10.1080/01926180390223987

Cited by 88 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…The earlier research shows that male characters outnumber female characters, and that genderrelated differences emerge across some behaviors. It is difficult to generalize from these studies, however, as many of the samples only included films from the Disney franchise (Faherty 2001;Hoerrner 1996;Tanner et al 2003). Other film producers and distributors (e.g., Dreamworks, Paramount, Universal) aside from Buena Vista market general-audience content immensely popular with children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Assessing Gender-Related Portrayals in Top-Grossing G-Rated Films

et al. 2010

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The purpose of this content analysis was to examine gender-related portrayals in popular G-rated films. Our research questions addressed the prevalence and nature of males and females in general-audience fare. To answer our research queries, 101 of the top-grossing box office films released theatrically in the United States and Canada from 1990 to early 2005 were assessed. The results showed that males outnumber females by a ratio of 2.57 to 1, which has not changed in fifteen years. Females were more likely than males to be young and depicted traditionally. In terms of personality traits, females were more likely to be smart, good, and beautiful than were males.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Assessing Gender-Related Portrayals in Top-Grossing G-Rated Films

et al. 2010

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“…The 'classics' or 'Disney Animated Canon' label is one of which there has been much discussion (Pallant, 2013) and there are numerous 'non-classic' animations -often straight to DVD -that could have been explored. Nevertheless, building and extending upon similar studies (Tanner et al, 2003;Towbin et al, 2004) the 54 animations of the animated canon -officially considered by the Disney Corporation itself as their best and most well-known animations (http://www.imdb.com/list/ls056368786/) -were considered sufficient. 54 animations were watched and analysed (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1937] to Big Hero Six [2014]).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whistle While You Work? Disney Animation, Organizational Readiness and Gendered Subjugation

Griffin¹,

Harding

Learmonth

2016

Organization Studies

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This paper introduces the concept of ‘organizational readiness’: socio-cultural expectations about working selves that prepare young people (albeit indirectly and in complex and multi-faceted ways) for their future life in organizations. This concept emerges from an analysis of Disney animations and how they constitute expectations about working life that may influence children through their representations of work and gendered workplace roles. The paper’s exploration of Disney’s earlier animations suggests they circulated norms of gender that girls should be weak and avoid work. In contrast, its contemporary productions circulate gender norms that suggest girls should be strong and engage in paid work. In this reading, the continued circulation of earlier alongside contemporary animations may convey to young viewers a paradox: girls must and must not work; they must be both weak and strong. We thus offer new insights into the puzzle of the continued relegation of women to the sidelines in organizations; more optimistically, we also point to ways in which future generations of employees may forge ways of constituting forms of gendered selves as yet hardly imaginable.

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“…Prior research has documented the marginalization of mothers in Disney films (Tanner, Haddock, Zimmerman, & Lund, 2003;Brydon, 2009) and given the historical cultural emphasis placed on mothers as caregivers and fathers as breadwinners, it is astonishing how far Disney deviates from these gendered parenting behaviors. This is particularly interesting when considering other research has highlighted the stereotypical gender roles of Disney characters in past and contemporary films.…”

Section: Mothering Fathering and Parentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tanner, Haddock, Zimmerman, and Lund (2003) investigated depictions and formations of couples in 26 full-length featured Disney films, and revealed four overarching themes including the marginalization of mothers and elevation of fathers. Additionally, the authors describe couple relationships as being characterized as having "gender-based power differentials" (Tanner et al, 2003, p. 355).…”

Section: Disney and The Familymentioning

confidence: 99%

Who Cares for the Kids? Caregiving and Parenting in Disney Films

Holcomb

Latham

Fernandez-Baca

2014

Journal of Family Issues

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Disney is recognized as producing powerful cultural products that make major contributions to many forms of children's media. While it has been suggested that mothers are marginalized in Disney films, there has been no extensive research exploring the pathways of marginalization and contexts of marginalized mothers. Furthermore, research examining parenting more generally including mothers, fathers, and other-parents has been neglected in the current literature. This study explores narrative subtexts surrounding mothers by systematically examining feature length, animated Disney films. A sample of 15 films was analyzed; the films were purposefully sampled using specific family-related criteria. Results indicate that mothers are marginalized either through their absence or their relatively minor roles, and fathers and other-parents are a significant part of many of the films. This is interesting given a wider cultural context that emphasizes biological mothers as key nurturers, and disconnect between parenting in Disney films and societal context is discussed.

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Images of Couples and Families in Disney Feature-Length Animated Films

Cited by 88 publications

References 6 publications

Assessing Gender-Related Portrayals in Top-Grossing G-Rated Films

Assessing Gender-Related Portrayals in Top-Grossing G-Rated Films

Whistle While You Work? Disney Animation, Organizational Readiness and Gendered Subjugation

Who Cares for the Kids? Caregiving and Parenting in Disney Films

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