Disney's Sexy Princesses
Messages to Young Girls
Aug 15, 2007 Ruthanne Prioreschi
Ariel's character in the 1989 Disney film The Little Mermaid marks a distinct division from all previous Disney characters. The fiery self-asserting sixteen-year-old mermaid clashes with her overly coy obedient predecessors. In addition to being defiant, a free thinker and rebellious, Ariel is physically different. Ariel is sexy.
Ariel marks a new chapter in Disney's depiction of adolescents and is an example of how this 25 billion dollar corporation believes their audience wants girls to be depicted. Nearly all the female heroines are modeled after Ariel's self-asserting character as well as her overtly sexualized attributes. This depiction of overly sexualized teens is problematic for young girls because it limits and associates female power with sexual brazenness.
The myth that a woman's sexuality is paramount in promoting her independence and power has become the popular perception of modern women, and now Disney, following social norms, pubescent girls are being fed this same ideology.
Disney's princess collection emphasizes the new female identity through its sexually portrayed teens. Ariel, Belle, Pocahontas and Jasmine (also note Esmeralda and Meg) share similar sexually mature features despite their young ages. They are not simply stylized - they are sexually stylized.
Sexually Stylized
- Cleavage (Jasmine and Ariel nearly always prevalent)
- Heaps of long flowing hair
- Wasp Waist
- Clothing that enhances physical features
Despite the discrepancy that teen girls are not as physically developed as depicted, Disney has illustrated a pathologic ideal that a young girl's sexuality is an accepted voyeuristic commodity. From Ariel doing underwater flips, Jasmine singing in some kind of lingerie, and Esmeralda (although older than the others) pole dancing as an erotic Gypsy - they all do it with a lot of skin and a smile.
Snow White (1939) depicts the princess more childlike with only a slight hourglass shape, a flat chest, and although slim, a realistic body mass.
The most critical of these hyper sexualized characters is that they piggyback with positive attributes for girls. Ariel, Jasmine, and Belle are more head strong, defiant, and proactive in their life pursuits at least in spirit than earlier princesses. (However, their main course of action revolves traditionally around a man.) The interpretation for young girls is sexiness is key to personal strength and independent power. Ariel and Belle remain quietly sexy (unaware they are displayed); however, Jasmine utilizes her sexiness to divert Jafar's attention while Aladdin sneaks past. Sexuality is depicted as a tool. The message is clear, and young girls' get it. Sexiness is smart. Sexiness is independence. Sexiness is powerful.
Being sexy is equated with being liberated from conservative roles for women. Shrek III (2007) poignantly demonstrates this empowerment when Snow White rips her clothes (strips) as she becomes more proactive in her escape. Can a girl be equally proactive and keep her clothes on?
Breaking with the conservative past is one thing but what defines a generation is what they replace it with. If revealing clothing and sexiness defines the power and triumph of women and girls from the past than it is a superficial power. Wearing sexy clothing will not empower a young girl but make her a target of vulnerable assault. For women, it limits their capacity to be seen as much more than objects of voyeuristic pleasure. Sexuality needs to be further explored before equipping young girls with an idea that has such a flimsy premise. Disney is reflecting and fortifying the social ideals of the modern woman to young girls. The means of associating sexiness with independence and female power is merely that - an association. It mounts to little power - just exploitation.
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