Are Disney films actually good for our kids?

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I was looking for Disney reviews to find an appropriate kids movie for my children. As I feel that some kids movies have bad messages. I came upon this video that made be think about the stereotypes that are presented to our children.

Are these stereotypical Disney films actually good for our children. For we know the prejudices everyone ends up having when they are grown up.

Jesus Christ MN is bat shit crazy at the moment.

They're films. They are a snapshot of an opinion. Provided a child is given real role models and examples that go against gender stereotyping then the occasional movie shouldn't hurt.

They are films.

And actually some girls do want to dress in pretty dresses and do Ballet and heaven forbid! love pink glittery things.

Can they not be represented in a film too? If it's ok to represent the girls not into that kind of thing (eg. Mulan) then isn't it ok to represent the girls who are as well (eg. Aurora)?

It is great the video made you think, but not "everyone" ends up with prejudices when they are "grown up". In fact mumsnet has many people who are almost prejudiced the other way (never shall I ever let my girl play with a Barbie even if Granny bought it for her as a Christmas present). Let children watch a range of films, be exposed to different toys and activities and they will let you know what they like. They may love pink and dressing up and wearing glittery face paint as a girl, but also love mud pies and playing football. They may love watching rugby and pretending to shoot each other as a boy but also love playing with their baby doll toy. They will be their own person and watching a couple of Disney films won't change that.

Thank you smokeandglitter I suppose they need this awareness to cope with social groups as they grow up as well.

Definitely

Watching the video, I thought he had some good points, but he had missed out on some elements. I mean, my favourite Disney princess growing up (and now) was Belle in Beauty & the Beast. Although, yes she is beautiful and that's exactly what her name means, she is also intelligent, very into books and sees passed the Beast's exterior to the love inside. She also turns down the handsome man (Gaston) for having a bad personality.

Snow White valued caring for people. Ariel has a drive to learn about what she is fascinated in, which is a wonderful attribute despite in the story this sometimes leading her into trouble. Aurora has a very gentle nature shown in her relationship with the animals of the forest and Godmothers that think the world of her. Jasmine fights for her own choices about who to marry - that should be a plus for feminists everywhere! Pocahontas understands the beauty in nature and the respect with which it should be treated.

For boys, the men in Disney tend to fight for what they believe in and there are some good morals in there. The Beast goes back on the wrong decision to keep Belle as a prisoner and releases her. Prince Charming doesn't give up in the face of difficulty but persists in a search. Phillip shows bravery. Aladdin learns that being himself is important.

Although physical attractiveness is usually the original factor in bringing the men/women together in Disney, it is not the reason they persist in their love. If Cinderella had thrown a tantrum and had a repulsive personality that night then I doubt the Prince would have organised a search. I think Belle is a great representative of this, it is absolutely not love at first sight and it is her gentleness and caring nature that the Beast truly falls in love with.

Disney is also giving the children some idea of pre-existing stories through these films, although they have been tweaked to give them a happy ending, but what's wrong with that, we all need a smile now and then! They can be a great introduction to legends like Robin Hood, old fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and Snow White and Ballets like Sleeping Beauty.

Phew, long post!

Great post smokeandglitter