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From the Sleeping Princess to the World-Saving Daughter of the Chief: Examining Young Children’s Perceptions of ‘Old’ versus ‘New’ Disney Princess Characters

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Hine

    (Department of Psychology, University of West London, St Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF, UK)

  • Katarina Ivanovic

    (Department of Psychology, University of West London, St Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF, UK)

  • Dawn England

    (Middlesex University Dubai, Knowledge Park, Block 16, Dubai, UAE)

Abstract

Both popular and academic discourse has noted progressive change in the gender role portrayals of much-loved Disney princess characters. However, at present, little is known about children’s recognition of such changes, or of their interpretation of princesses’ gendered behavior. This study therefore asked 131 8–9-year-old UK children to attribute various feminine and masculine characteristics to ‘princesses’ both before and after watching an ‘old’ ( Sleeping Beauty ) versus ‘new’ ( Moana ) Disney princess movie. Post-movie they were also asked to attribute these characteristics to the princess characters (Aurora and Moana respectively) and were assessed on their labelling of thirteen popular female characters as ‘princesses’. Results showed that whilst children recognized the largely feminine versus androgynous gendered profiles of Aurora versus Moana respectively, viewing a ‘newer’ Disney movie did not change their perception of ‘princesses’ more broadly. Moreover, a large proportion of children did not identify Moana as a princess at all. Results therefore simultaneously complicate and enhance the current discussion regarding the influence of gender role models, particularly those within the Disney franchise, on the development of gender knowledge and identity in young children.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Hine & Katarina Ivanovic & Dawn England, 2018. "From the Sleeping Princess to the World-Saving Daughter of the Chief: Examining Young Children’s Perceptions of ‘Old’ versus ‘New’ Disney Princess Characters," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:7:y:2018:i:9:p:161-:d:169922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauren Dundes & Madeline Streiff & Zachary Streiff, 2018. "Storm Power, an Icy Tower and Elsa’s Bower: The Winds of Change in Disney’s Frozen," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-29, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Setten, Eric & Chen, Steven, 2024. "Playing with emotions: Text analysis of emotional tones in gender-casted Children’s media," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    2. Pimpatchanok Manaworapong & Neil Evan Jon Anthony Bowen, 2022. "Language, gender, and patriarchy in Mulan: a diachronic analysis of a Disney Princess movie," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Cassandra Primo, 2018. "Balancing Gender and Power: How Disney’s Hercules Fails to Go the Distance," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Jill Nash & Cindy Sidhu, 2023. "‘Pink is for girls, blue is for boys’ exploring brand gender identity in children’s clothing, a post-evaluation of British retailer John Lewis," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(5), pages 381-397, September.

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