Sexism, Strength and Dominance: Masculinity in Disney Films

That was one of the most biased things I've ever seen. To anyone who actually knows Disney movies, that didn't make a point at all. Sure, if you only look at those video clips and don't watch the entire movie (and if you are incredibly stupid), then it might seem as if Disney movies were sexist. But I mean, come on! In "The Emperor's New Groove" Kuzco's character was supposed to give audiences the impression that he wasn't a nice guy. In Beauty and the Beast, Gaston is the villain!

i dont think thats very fair, considering Gaston is portrayed as a satire of a typical male stereotype, and it is pretty obvious that the message for boys is not to be this way, after all, he is the villain. And caring and compassion is revealed in Beast, the hero, showing that that is the best way for a guy to be :)

i actually think that mulan is one of the few children's movies that fight's gender roles. in the movie, mulan fights her final battle not a man, but as a woman, her only weapon being her fan.

I don't think Disney influences the way boys think as far as their sex goes as much as it influences girls. Every Disney movie should send a similar message to the one Mulan sent.

Is it just me or does everyone seem to think everything is wrong nowadays? Curse our dirty minds....

I love how the Snarky character from "Emperor's New Groove" was voiced by David Spade, a guy who bears an uncanny resemblance to a garden gnome. He should be one to insult someone's looks.

This was good. Very well thought-out and researched. Still, you put in a song from Mulan, but your forgetting that Mulan was more about feminism and the way that even back when, in China, girls were considered to be worth nothing and be unuseful unless they bore sons, some could still do something to make a difference.

Look here, Castlemedic! Sexism is NO JOKE!

Man, you people read into this S**t way too much. For christ sake.

Hey, i understand what u r saying. But think of it this way, in the little Mermaid the girls look up to Areal for being strong and standing up for what she wants. Then in Mulan we also look up to her for her strangth it gives the girls something to look up to and want to be like. And even though it may give the boys the wrong ideas, just as long as the girls are learning how to stand up for themselfs. So, granted this video gives a good fight. Look at it from our point of veiw once.

I don't think people understand what it means if you let ''the media get you''. That does not make you a sheep. When you are a kid, you are still developing and obviously never think ''Oh, I sure ain't going to let this disney movie get to me.'' I can speak for myself and I say that I definitely see the impact from watching and liking disney movies. But I realized this only a short time ago.

I think this film has a point, but I don't really agree with the bit about Mulan, sure she was taught that a man had to be strong but she was in the army where a man had to strong to survive a battle, the enemy warriors weren't going to spare a guy because he's caring

heheh. yeah.. there are no easy answers..but i think the sense of these things develop by watching the ones who raise you. I'v watched these films myself when i was a kid..but i hardly ever felt that i had to be like the masculine guys on these films.. But when i saw "The Governers" Commando...that was life changing! Ever since i'v enjoyed bad guys getting theyr ass kicked by some unstoppable chuck of tight muscle. Cause if you'r a bad guy...you gotta pay the prize for it..nothing else

Although I agree and understand that there are many instances of sexism and perpetuated gender roles in film, I think the Disney examples used for the piece don't support your argument. Gaston is hated for his ultra-dominance and is portrayed as a villain and killed. Mulan lives in ancient China, a time period when men rule by power and strength. The Hercules myth revolves around physical prowess, so it is fairy and folk tales that must be criticized and not Disney's portrayal.

I AGREE

And, girls often like a little objectifying

Seriously it isnt like most of the world of women dont prefer men to be that way. I know alot of women who get very disinterested if a guy is a big sissy.

This video makes a good point, but my question is why is this wrong. A man must always be strong and self reliant and protect his family and loved ones. Disney is giving out the right message.

They're not saying women are weak, or that men are supposed to be physically strong. All the film does is point out how Disney portray it. There is no reason for anyone to be offended by the posting of this video.

And above all..they are movies. If anyone feels poorly, because of someone who acts a certain way or looks a certain way in an animated film, their problems are deeper than watching the movie. We need to stop blaming the media, and blame the parents. Parents, please stop spoiling your children so much. They need to know how to grow up. Life is unfair, there are stereotypes, it is life. Deal with it. Stop acting like a cartoon makes a difference, it is people that need to change. Movies=Fiction.

I am not bothered so much by homosexual content, because that is not the only thing that is mentioned here. If a man feels inadequate it is his doing alone. If he wants to be something, let him work for it. Besides it is not mentioned that all the women have tiny waists. Though it could potentially make someone feel badly about themselves, doesn't mean they have the right to say it is wrong. If anyone lets the media get to them, it is their fault for being a sheep, regardless of age.

its complaining about the hetherosexual relationships are you saying all parents would let their children see pro homosexual movies

Furthermore using Gaston as an example is stupid, he is portrayed as the bad man, and so everything he does and says is supposed to be negative towards who he is! Beauty and The Beast is a beautiful movie about accepting someone for who they are on the inside! Men who aren't even muscular, can at least try to be strong at heart. Every woman, on the inside deep down, needs a man who will protect and love her with all his heart... It is her truest desire..Cept for lesbians, which are fine. :)

God..this video is such crap! Men are supposed to be MASCULINE. Men are supposed to be muscular! They are supposed to be able to protect their loved ones! It has been that way from the dawn of time. Disney gives a good portrayal of how men SHOULD BE. How they used to be! It is because we spoil our children now that makes them handicapped in life! We need to raise our sons strong and proud! Intelligence is important too! Sanjay you are just making up for your own insecurity, by making this video.

You've never met my sisters, where as I may be bigger physically, they're definatly more agressive. Since you stated "females are inferior physically and less aggrei" (don't think you finished there) it all depends on the person and such "facts" cannot be stated without flaw.