Princess Power: Longitudinal Associations Between Engagement With Princess Culture in Preschool and Gender Stereotypical Behavior, Body Esteem, and Hegemonic Masculinity in Early Adolescence

Abstract

Princess culture is criticized for contributing to gender stereotypes and poor body esteem, however, there is little longitudinal research examining these claims. This study examines associations between engagement with princess culture during early childhood and gender stereotypes, body esteem, and adherence to hegemonic masculinity in early adolescence. Participants included 307 children (51% female, M age = 4.83 years, 87% White) who completed questionnaires at two time points, 5 years apart. The results indicated that early engagement with princess culture was not associated with later adherence to female gender stereotypes. However, princess engagement was associated with lower adherence to norms of hegemonic masculinity and higher body esteem. Socioeconomic status and gender moderated the results. Effect sizes were small to moderate. The changing nature of Disney princesses is discussed in the context of gender development across childhood.

The fairest of them all: Representations of bodies across Disney animated films from 1937 to 2019.

“…Contrasting to the research of Botta (1999, 2000), Coyne et al (2021) observed higher body esteem among children who engaged with the Disney princess culture over a 5-year period. Princess culture engagement included the level of identification with princesses and interactions with princess media and toys.…”

“…Because media viewing influences attitudes and behaviors, comparison can generate either motivations to improve one’s behavior and/or perpetuate negative responses, such as dissatisfaction. Children, for example, compare themselves with characters presented in the media they consume and, as a result, develop either a positive or negative self-perception (Botta, 2000; Coyne et al, 2021; Thomsen, 2002). Botta (1999) found the amount of TV viewing and viewing TV dramas with predominately thin characters influenced high school girls’ desire for thinness, body dissatisfaction, bulimic behaviors, and their perpetuation of the thin ideal.…”

“…Princess culture engagement included the level of identification with princesses and interactions with princess media and toys. Coyne et al (2021) hypothesized that a progressive take on including more realistic Disney body portrayals in recent films (e.g., Moana from Moana , Mirabel from Encanto , etc.) combined with inspiring “rags to riches” story plots can be empowering for children.…”

“…combined with inspiring "rags to riches" story plots can be empowering for children. Indeed, understanding body portrayals in light of social comparison theory is important because children compare themselves with media characters and internalize the messages associated with weight and height and, as a result, develop either a positive or negative self-concept surrounding their body image (Botta, 1999(Botta, , 2000Coyne et al, 2021).…”

“…Children learn stereotypes from observing male and female heroines (Coyne et al, 2016(Coyne et al, , 2021. Although media critiques and commentary of Disney films' representations of bodies are prevalent outside academia, we are only aware of two studies that specifically examine associations between these two constructs.…”