Frozen

[suddenlycupishalffull]

I may get flamed for this but here goes...I'm struggling a bit with the whole Frozen obsession for girls as young as 3. Generally, I am really uncomfortable with Disney's portrayal feminine beauty and I worry about pre-schoolers being influenced by this. I don't think girls as young as 3 need love stories (whatever happened to Sesame Street?!), and cynically what I see driving this Frozen industry is a huge effort to turn our daughters into consumers of Disney products (Frozen hair clips, party bags, dresses, the list go on). I guess I'm uncomfortable on two fronts: I don't like what the Disney princess industry does to the self-esteem of very young children (boys as well as girls) and I don't think children as young as 3 should be drawn into this. Am I the only one? Anyone else with me?!

Nope. I'm with you. Some interesting discussions in class about it though with 5 and 6 year olds!

Cynical merchandising is what Disney does best nowadays.

I fucking hate that film.

Neither of my girls' self-esteem has been damaged by their pink sparkly pwincessy phase to be honest. I'm not sure how it could be unless you're a psycho who tells your daughters they look ugly in a dress.

My dc are 3 and 6. 6yo likes the film but prefers Brave and is fed up with all the frozen songs. 3yos like the film and sing the songs but aren't bothered re merchandise. Round here it seems ask the dc have frozen everything (we got given some for birthdays so not avoided it completely) but it seems the mums insist dd must have frozen everything rather than the dc. Do dc as young as 3 have strong opinions on these things? Maybe mine are unusual - one wanted a yo yo and the other a toy spider for Christmas but I'm not especially materialistic so maybe my family is odd.

It's more of a tale of sisterly love, rather than an old fashioned love story. Also, you can't deny that the songs are pretty good!
However - I have boys so am glad I'm not having to dress my kids in a load of ice blue synthetic flammable tat. (Although my mum did make us a long purple cloak out of a curtain...)

Meant to add. I'm not against Disney - films are fun and dc are far more influenced by parents than films. But I can't stand over priced merchandise with mums battling on ebay to get the doll they've promised their dc.

Well actually it's not a love story.

Dd is 2 and she loves it. I haven't actually bought her any of the merchandise but everyone else does and she's got tons.

I would hope that my influence on her in her formative years is going to be more character building than the influence of Mr Disney. I'm not worried about her becoming a Bad Person.

I also hate that film! I was never a huge devotee of the House of Mouse but Frozen really is a pile o'crap.

YANBU. Hate Disney.

My 3 year old loves it and then she loves something else, the next week something else. I've 3 daughters, all of them have watched a bit of Disney at some point. Now one of them watches a lot of Disney, the other a lot of Steve Backshall bloody Deadly 60 and the oldest lives and dies by Minecraft.

Frozen is a kids film, they like it because of the songs, the snowman, the reindeer and because it's not as worthy as some predecessors. I think you're overthinking it.

It is a love story.... Between sisters.

I have a 3 year old. She likes the tat but isn't obsessed. I figure I'm a big influence on her life so as long as I don't act like a Disney princess, she will be fine.

Haven't small children always enjoyed dressing up and playing with versions of their favourite toys? Have you not seen the Sesame Street characters you can buy? I actually think the Frozen princesses are far better examples than princesses from my day, such as Sleeping Beauty! The world is consumable crazy, but what difference does it make? My dc use blankets or whatever we have, to make capes from, so I don't see the

I have a Frozen obsessed 3 year old. I try not to encourage it but she is influenced by the older girls at her childminders and wants to do everything they do! I don't think Frozen in particular is a bad film, the sisters rescue each other rather than relying on a handsome prince at least. I really don't like this sparkly princess phase that they all seem to go through, and hate that everything is so commercialised for such young children. Not sure what can be done about it though

difference whether they are 'disney' branded or not. I think anything that little ones can latch onto to spark their imaginations has to have some positives.

A few of my friends were banging on about it, and how it was a great empowering film showing that women didn't need men etc
I finally watched it and was sad that half the story is about Arna Anna and her love of that ponce and then that second bloke. (Sorry didn't get their names.)

Yabu
Young children are not at all influenced by tv or merchandising

ItsAllKicking that's really interesting - what are the 5 and 6 year olds saying about it?

Saucy it's good to hear that as my DD is in the middle of the Pink Phase and I do worry about it. Disney princesses promote just one type of feminine beauty (white, thin etc) and I worry about the effect of that. But then I had an eating disorder for years, so perhaps I'm over-thinking.

Motherof no I don't think 3 year olds and materialistic as you suggest (mine asked for a skipping rope this Christmas!) but what I think is happening is they are being encouraged to want, if that makes sense, cos you can buy all this Frozen tat in temptingly small packages (hair bobbles etc) placed right at the till in the supermarket as perfect pre-schooler height I think it's encouraging consumerism.

Mouthful I agree, I like the sisterhood aspect of it and I like that she rejects the man who betrays her, all good messages for young girls but I would say girls of about 7 or 8 who are starting to think about boys...surely not girls of 3?

Hmm I hate High School Musical and Hannah Montana much much more.

Interestingly my boys (10 & 7) love Frozen, and don't see it as "Disney Princess" which they would run a mile from. But then I am not awash with Elsa shoes and hairclips!!

Love stories are nothing new as the base for a children's story.. Frozen is inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Snow Queen so perhaps the blame lies with him. "And they all lived happily ever after."

Totally agree with you. I have a 2.4yo and a couple of my friends have DDs the same age. They are apparently 'obsessed' with frozen.

How? I don't get it! My dd loves watching the Gruffalo but that's about as long as her attention will last.

Saying that I've had to endure the frozen experience at school and I can't keep my attention focused on it for that long.

I really don't understand the appeal. It's just princesses, again!

It's about sisterly love, not a love story.

My dd's self-esteem is absolutely fine.

Kitty, as an adult you probably aren't meant to understand the appeal.

People over think this. My daughter loves all things sparkly and pink. She will be just fine.

My son spent a year dressed as superman. He is 13 now and fine. He doesn't think he needs to be muscly or super strong to be valued.

I am an adult who loves all things pink too. I am also fine!

I've only just watched it this weekend as ds whose nearly 8 said it was for girls only.

I can see where the fuss is. It's a good film but I cannot get that song out of my head now.

I too am a bit peeved at thesis eu potray of princess's. All pretty and slim and big boobed. Dh thought elsa rocked.
I hope my son can see this isn't normal

But I was told it Was good film but he wouldn't be watching it again as its for girls.

Disney princesses promote just one type of feminine beauty (white, thin etc)

I sort of agree, so I'm playing devil's advocate a bit here, but there are several non-white princess protagonists: Pocahontas, Mulan, Jasmine and Tiana spring to mind.

I don't mind Frozen at all. Think it's better than much of the old-school Disney output, and something about it has really struck a chord with this generation of little girls (and some boys too of course). It's not the love story, it's Elsa and her alienation / empowerment storyline IMO.