Are Disney Movies Good For Your Kids?

The Disney corporation has an influential role in our culture, with an almost monopolistic hold on children's entertainment. Over the past few decades, it has evolved beyond production of films to what some call "public pedagogy". Henry Giroux, in an article titled "Are Disney Movies Good for Your Kids?", wrote that "these films appear to inspire at least as much cultural authority and legitimacy for teaching specific roles, values, and ideals as more traditional sites of learning such as public schools, religious institutions, and the family". Should we be allowing an animated film company to fill the niche of teaching authority, given the controversial messages relayed in these well-known movies?

Many people view Disney films such as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, and Beauty and the Beast as harmless stories with some great soundtracks. I would argue that this could actually be harmful given the racist and sexist overtones, which could possibly become part of the children's enculturation. I want to take a critical look at some of these Disney films and their promotion of negative stereotypes:

Beauty and the Beast is considered a Disney "classic" and is often cited as a favorite especially among young girls. On the surface level, Belle might appear as an independent and ambitious female, destined for a life outside of the "provincial town". She rejects a stereotypical chauvinistic man in search of her unknown dreams, so she MUST be a feminist!

However, there are problems with this shallow analysis if you attempt further interpretation. She is basically still reduced to female stereotypes since her "ambitious" plans still include a dreamy romance with a handsome prince (as portrayed in the song where her favorite literary passage is about such a future). Giroux, in his article, points out that this notion of Belle as a progressive woman is slightly skewed. "In the end, Belle simply becomes another woman whose life is valued for solving a man's problems". He is referring to how Belle's role basically consists of reforming the Beast by turning him "into a model of the 'new' man, who is sensitive, caring, and loving".

Another problematic Disney film is Pocahontas, which is commonly praised for its cross-cultural love story. In fact, racism "is a powerful but subtle structuring principle" throughout this beloved movie. The writers reshape the horrendous exploitation of Native Americans (which led to the genocide of millions) and "colonial barbarism into a sentimental romance", disregarding most historical truths. In reality, John Smith was a violent and imperialistic racist that exploited the Native Americans for wealth. Now, it is not necessarily unethical to stretch the truth in order to make a good film, but the cultural implications of another inaccurate portrayal of Native Americans is not a good message for children. Public schools barely mention the genocide, and are fed lies through films like Pocahontas without any critical filter.

Giroux writes in his article that "the messages offered in Disney's animated films suggest that social problems such as racism, the genocide of Native Americans, sexism and crisis of democratic public life are simply willed through the laws of nature". The solution is not necessarily a ban on Disney movies, but rather approaching the films with a critical mindset. Children should not simply absorb a film's message without questioning the implications, and hopefully their schools and parents can offer guidance on interpreting those beloved stories.