The Portrayal of Families across Generations in Disney Animated Films

Abstract

Disney animated films continue to serve as an influential form of media that shapes children's development of beliefs about the world surrounding them, including the construct of the family. However, a census analysis as to how Disney animated films represent depictions of families has yet to be conducted. To fill this gap, we assessed the qualities of family demographics, structure, and function in a census analysis of 85 Disney animated films from the years 1937-2018. Results indicated that single parent families (41.3%) was the most predominantly represented family structure, followed by nuclear (25%) and guardian (19.2%). We also observed that the first depiction of a non-Caucasian family was presented in the 1990s, with a growing number of ethnically diverse families since that time. However, minimal interactions between families of differing ethnicities are noted. Overall, over 75% of all Disney animated films depicted warm and supportive familial interactions, with 78.8% of the films illustrating a positive relationship between the protagonist and his/her family. Analysis and implications are offered for parents and educators who wish to further understand the content Disney animated films offer in depicting families.

Portrayals of Families and Family Upbringing in Russian Films: Prospects for Film and Media Education

“…Webb and T. Robinson examined the portrayals of families in Disney cartoons. They studied the qualities of family demographics, structure, and function in 85 Disney animated films from 1937-2018 to find out that "over 75 % of all Disney animated films depicted warm and supportive familial interactions, with 78.8 % of the films illustrating a positive relationship between the protagonist and his/her family" (Zurcher et al, 2018).…”

Die animierte Familie. Darstellungen von Familien in Zeichentrickserien

“…Vorliegende sozialwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen von Zeichentrickfilmen (Thompson/Zerbios 1995;Towbin 2003;Holcomb et al 2014;Åström 2015) fokussieren inhaltlich häufig auf die Darstellung von Gender und Gewalt (Davis 2003;Baker/Raney 2007;Hubka et al 2009;Hovdestad et al 2009;Streiff/Dundes 2017b). Studien zum Thema Familie basieren überwiegend auf der Analyse von Disney-Zeichentrickfilmen, untersuchen jedoch vorwiegend familiale Geschlechterrollen und weniger das familiale Zusammenleben (Tanner et al 2003;Balraj/Gopl 2013;Holcomb et al 2015;Åström 2015;Fraustion 2015;Zurcher et al 2018). Hinsichtlich der Geschlechterrollen zeigen sich demnach große Unterschiede: Männer bekleiden im Disney-Zeichentrick oft die Hauptrolle und werden aktiv und rational handelnd gezeigt, während Frauen eher in kleineren Rollen gezeigt und als emotional, liebevoll, einfühlsam und stark an ihrem Äußeren interessiert dargestellt werden (Thompson/Zerbinos 1995;Gerding/Signorielli 2014).…”

“…Die in Disney-Filmen dargestellte Familienstruktur entspricht nicht der statistisch darstellbaren Verteilung. So zeigen Zurcher et al (2018) in ihrer Analyse von 85 Disneyfilmen aus den Jahren 1937 bis 2018, dass 41,3% der dargestellten Familien Einelternfamilien, 19,2% Familien mit Vormundschaft und lediglich 25% Kernfamilien sind. Familie wird in diesen Filmen, unabhängig von ihrer Struktur, als wichtiger und unterstützender Teil des Lebens der Figuren dargestellt (Tanner et al 2003;Zurcher et al 2018).…”

“…Väter nehmen wesentlich öfter an den im Disney-Zeichentrickfilm dargestellten Handlungen teil als Mütter (Holcomb et al 2015;Zurcher et al 2018). Sie werden als liebevolle, aber strenge Charaktere dargestellt, die Autorität gegenüber der Familie ausstrahlen.…”

Disney characters as moral role models: a discourse analysis of Coco and Encanto

“…Of the various genres and types of films Disney creates and produces, its animation films that cater to children are a useful discourse in understanding the connection between morality and children's internalization of moral messages upon viewing and consuming Disney films. Disney animated films continue to influence and shape children's development of beliefs and their understanding of the world surrounding them (Zurcher et al, 2018). Some films have the power to engage children, emotionally and cognitively, presenting them with moral and ethical problems that stimulate critical thinking and thoughtful reflection.…”