A BYU Associate Professor spoke of the potential dangers, as
well as a few possible benefits, that Disney princesses pose on the female
attitude.
Dr.
Sarah Coyne of the School of Family Life told her audience that “Disney
princess movies are highly gender stereotyped” during her lecture last Thursday
in Provo, Utah.
She
and her team conducted a three-year study of 307 child participants to examine
the effects that these Disney princesses have on young girls. They found that
avid Disney princess fans showed a much higher level of gender stereotyping.
Coyne said, “Disney is very much contributing to this whole girly-girl,
pretty-pretty-princess culture” that is seen in the world today.
The
results also showed that girls who loved Disney princesses actually had better
body image than others. They also
displayed more pro-social behavior, such as sharing and kind actions. However,
the high level of pro-social behavior and positive body image did not last to
the end of the three years.
Coyne
was also curious about adults. She conducted a study of 90 women in college. Of
that number, one-third identified themselves as “princesses.” The participants
were given a set of challenges.
Coyne discovered that adults who consider themselves “princesses” had
more gender stereotyped attitudes. They were also quicker to give up in their
tasks.
“Should
we want our kids to emulate Disney princesses?” Coyne asked. The professor was
hesitant to condemn them. She said that these characters can be good role
models. Coyne recommended that parents highlight characteristics such as
kindness, courage and honesty in princesses for their children.
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