Sexism in Disney

The documentary ‘Mickey Mouse Monopoly’ is based around Henry .A. Giroux‘s book The Mouse that Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence. (1999) and explores the way Disney is constructed to corrupt young minds. It does these through its racism, sexism and capitalist ideology that is being feed to young children. They get away with its dark messages through sugar coating it with its overtly innocent messages. Thus, it people do not question the motives or the norms and values being passed on to young generations of children Disney because it’s considered harmless wholesome family viewing.

Yet, Disney still portray women as the weaker sex although over time women have rebelled against male authoritative figures in the end they succumb to their commands. Females are often large busted, small waisted curvaceous, white with long waist length hair and these stereotypical images have been prevalent in early Disney films. Again the idea of ‘perfection’ is being inflicted upon young minds with children feeling they have to conform to the concept of beauty. Disturbingly, the beast in beauty in the beast physically and mentally abuses Belle but she sees his rage ads merely a bad temper with out addressing the seriousness of his violence. It is simply suggesting that domestic violence is acceptable and encouraging girl to stay with violent partner because inside the monster is a ‘prince’.

Children cannot escape Disney’s influence (especially in America) as Disney cooperation owns a large sector of the media, ranging from television channels to magazines. Therefore the only messages being shown to children are from an old white male’s perspective which is the reason Disney film paint an incomplete picture of reality.

•"The equation of female sexuality with glamour is a major public theme in our own culture. It's there in our fairy stories, the little girl's first lessons in romance: a kitchen girl, she learns, can only win a prince if she has a comprehensive make-over and some glamorous new clothes" (Leroy 262). This links to the subliminal way Disney passes their negative messages to children.