Please comment on the posts of a couple of your peers.

Reply to Classmate 1:
A misconception that I had before taking this class and I feel like people have as well is where we originated from. I can say I’m polish and dutch because my great-grandparents are from Poland and Holland. I look northern European with fair skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair. BUT before taking this class I would have never known that long ago my ancestors weren’t in northern Europe. Someone else in the class mentioned the class assignment where we listened to the audio lecture and thats where I learned we all originated from Africa. I know this is a common misconception because right after listening to that lecture I told my dad and he said “I don’t think so.” A consequence of this misconception is ignorance of not believing what scientist have proven correctly.

Reply to Classmate 2:
I think one common misconception people have is the way that many are okay with the idea of our ancestors being less smart and advance than us. But then most people really don’t know where their ancestors come from geographically which makes us seem a little less smart as we claim to be. I feel like the only consequence that this gives back is the ignorance of speaking but not knowing where things came about originally but just going off of assumptions we picture in our head.

Write a peer conversation post to the following discussion to look at Disney as an example of the more general messages that pervade our culture and instruct girls and women (and boys and men) about normative gender.

Including one direct quote from the reading attached.

To start off this discussion, it is important to not only analyze the impact of Disney movies, but more so the influence that can occur.  As a child, Disney has been my favorite movie and still. Disney movies take me back to my childhood and I am sure it does for most, but what sticks out to me the most is reenacting princess roles. I enjoyed watching Disney films and many other fairy tale movies, I imagined or believed the characters were real. According to this weeks reading by Lori Baker-Sperry, The Production of Meaning through Peer Interaction: Children and Walt Disneys mentions, Scholars have identified fairy tales as vehicles of gendered messages and forms of perspective literature for childrens and others have argued that such gendered messages are interpreted and reinforced through peer interaction. From my perspective kids learn by observation therefore learning from social media, entertainment, and TV. This is where kids will use a Disney movie to represent their conception.  From this quote, I can say I can agree with both methods in delivering messages identified by scholars. However, I believe using fairy tales translates messages to children effectively because it is a way to interact with children acknowledging what they enjoy. At that age I believe conveying a message to kids in a fun, creative approach sends out the message.

Cinderella was one of my favorite Disney movies as a child and most importantly dressing up as princesses in sparkly gowns, and of course acting as a distressed princess that needs help from a prince, a hero. Reenacting Disney movies is what I remember from my childhood, playing with my cousins and friends. From the analysis done by Lori Baker-Sperry, the observation done displayed children are able to imagine and link characters by the description being read from the story of Cinderella. For example, once the character of the prince was characterized, the girls reacted positively and expressed him to be a romantic character. The girls also expressed that the prince of course would be handsome when the text being read did not identify the prince as being handsome. Although the text does not identify the Prince as handsome, charming, or dreamy, these names were often linked to this character by the girls, particularly when asked about his appearance (Baker-Sperry, 2007). This is a demonstration on how Disney movies have an impact on kids’ imagination and how it is understood. Although, I think there are ways to hinder the messages in films by having conversations with kids about the films and maybe take some time to explain. Another Disney film from the many favorites is The Little Mermaid, this film demonstrated various  life lessons such as fighting for what you want. However, the movie displays gender roles expressing to the viewers regarding genderedized socialization and to follow which men are strong  and brave whereas women are represented or displayed as ideally petite, beautiful and an individual that relies on the presence of a man. In addition, it is displayed women would need to be obedient, dutiful and submissive with domesticated roles in order to achieve a happily ever after.

Most of the main Disney Princesses before some of the new ones were created were mostly focused on traditional roles where all the princesses were dependent on a man and in that process of getting her man she would have to be rescued. For example, Princess Jasmine from the movie Aladdin was saved by a man and married him, Sleeping Beauty was poisoned and was in an eternal sleep. However, Sleeping Beauty can be awakened by a kiss specifically by a man. Lastly, I want to mention is Snow White who lived with seven men and married a prince that also rescued her. Dont get me wrong, I love Disney and the movies they created, but it is interesting to take the time to acknowledge the subliminal messages presented to the viewers, majority children. Overall, there is a connection between these fictional depictions and the way girls and women in society partake or are expected appropriately. Disney often shows gender roles of how society perceives gender norms which are usually princesses having to be responsible for domestic roles and yearning for romance and dependence in men. To conclude, not only Disney films partake in gender roles, but there are many other contributing factors that do as well. I believe by demonstrating in films  that princesses are being praised and rewarded for being beautiful, kind, graceful, innocent, domesticated and married is oppressive. Society applauds those who take the normal path, but if not then what?

Write a peer conversation post to the following discussion to look at Disney as an example of the more general messages that pervade our culture and instruct girls and women (and boys and men) about normative gender.

Including one direct quote from the reading attached.

Disney plays a major part of setting standards for children, due to their high popularity. The stories told in movies are commonly known among most children. This gives Disney the responsibility and power to teach children the standards of society. Although Disney gives positive messages in their movies, it subtly sets sexist gender standards.

Most Disney princess movies follow the same storyline: a young girl is in a situation in which she is misunderstood, she sees a handsome prince and falls in love with him, she sacrifices major aspects of her life in order to be with him, and she ends up happily with him, and leaves her life behind. Although Disney princesses share positive messages such as being kind, courageous, etc., it tells young girls that they are unable to live a happy life until they are rescued by their prince. This often comes with major sacrifices.

When Ariel in The Little Mermaid sees Prince Eric, she sacrifices her voice to the evil queen, Ursula in exchange for a pair of legs. This allows her to live on land, Prince Erics world, and make him fall in love with her. It is quite suspicious that Eric was able to fall in love with Ariel, despite her lack of ability to communicate with him. This may suggest that men will fall in love with women with no voice, not literally. Men want a woman who does not voice their opinion, or fight against them, but instead silence themselves in a masculinist society (Umble & Smith 407).

However, there are positive messages for young girls in The Little Mermaid. Ariels father, Triton, is famously known to be overprotective of Ariel and sets rules that prevent her from being her true self. But, Ariel disobeys these rules in order to find her own identity. Ariel, unlike her sisters, is curious and adventure seeking. She wants a life of her own, and is determined to achieve it.

Overall, Ariel remained relatively submissive to the patriarchy throughout the whole movie. Ariel chooses to actively turn her life around once she sees Prince Eric, and sacrifices her voice and mutilates her body. At the end of the movie, Ariel seeks permission from her dad to live her life with Prince Eric. The control over Ariels life passes over from Triton to Prince Eric, because she goes off to live in his world.

Next, Disney creates heteronormativity of appearance standards for both male and female characters. This sets the idea for young children of how they should look when they are older. Female characters often have cleavage, bare stomachs, and bare legs, and male characters are often depicted without their shirts. (Martin & Kazyak 329). This oversexualizes these characters, although most Disney princesses are often still young teenagers. The sexualization of women of color is also very popular. They set women of color such as Jasmine from Aladdin, with an hourglass figure and a sensual personality.

https://medium.com/@nerdypoc/the-flower-and-the-jewel-disneys-sexualisation-of-brown-women-3266233bfbf2 (Links to an external site.)

Creating such oversexualized characters creates the notion of what is desired in society, whether it is desired in ones self or in another person. Those that do not fit the standards that these characters set may not be seen as attractive or desired. This can lead to many self esteem issues.

The heteronormativity of the patriarchy and oversexualized characters is socialized within Disney movies. Disneys popularity and power is able to construct the notions of what femininity is. This is dangerous because children are taught that these standards are normal, and grow up thinking it is okay. Although these movies are fiction, children apply it to their own life. For example, a study shows that when young girls were talking about their future, they aspired to have a similar fairytale-like life: the girls viewed Cinderellas experience as one that might someday happen to them (Baker-Sperry 722). This shows how Disneys impact on childrens lives and aspirations.

Gender roles have evolved throughout time, and it can be seen throughout Disney princess movies. In Snow White (1938), the first Disney princess, Snow White reflects the standards of a woman during that time period. She cleans, cooks, and takes care of the seven dwarves- essentially a housewife, and is of course saved by a prince. New princesses from the past decade reign on their own, are outspoken, adventurous, and self dependent. In Moana (2016), one of the newest princesses, Moana does not have a love interest. She saves the entire island on her own, and reigns as queen- without a king. Disney is also making an effort to empower young girls of color after criticism of being a mostly eurocentric princess franchise. The new, live action The Little Mermaid, movie will be played by an African-American actress. This is a breakthrough for black women, because they have been severely underrepresented in the Disney franchise.

Disney plays a major part of setting standards for children, due to their high popularity. The stories told in movies are commonly known among most children. This gives Disney the responsibility and power to teach children the standards of society. Although Disney gives positive messages in their movies, it subtly sets sexist gender standards.

Most Disney princess movies follow the same storyline: a young girl is in a situation in which she is misunderstood, she sees a handsome prince and falls in love with him, she sacrifices major aspects of her life in order to be with him, and she ends up happily with him, and leaves her life behind. Although Disney princesses share positive messages such as being kind, courageous, etc., it tells young girls that they are unable to live a happy life until they are rescued by their prince. This often comes with major sacrifices.

When Ariel in The Little Mermaid sees Prince Eric, she sacrifices her voice to the evil queen, Ursula in exchange for a pair of legs. This allows her to live on land, Prince Erics world, and make him fall in love with her. It is quite suspicious that Eric was able to fall in love with Ariel, despite her lack of ability to communicate with him. This may suggest that men will fall in love with women with no voice, not literally. Men want a woman who does not voice their opinion, or fight against them, but instead silence themselves in a masculinist society (Umble & Smith 407).

However, there are positive messages for young girls in The Little Mermaid. Ariels father, Triton, is famously known to be overprotective of Ariel and sets rules that prevent her from being her true self. But, Ariel disobeys these rules in order to find her own identity. Ariel, unlike her sisters, is curious and adventure seeking. She wants a life of her own, and is determined to achieve it.

Overall, Ariel remained relatively submissive to the patriarchy throughout the whole movie. Ariel chooses to actively turn her life around once she sees Prince Eric, and sacrifices her voice and mutilates her body. At the end of the movie, Ariel seeks permission from her dad to live her life with Prince Eric. The control over Ariels life passes over from Triton to Prince Eric, because she goes off to live in his world.

Next, Disney creates heteronormativity of appearance standards for both male and female characters. This sets the idea for young children of how they should look when they are older. Female characters often have cleavage, bare stomachs, and bare legs, and male characters are often depicted without their shirts. (Martin & Kazyak 329). This oversexualizes these characters, although most Disney princesses are often still young teenagers. The sexualization of women of color is also very popular. They set women of color such as Jasmine from Aladdin, with an hourglass figure and a sensual personality.

https://medium.com/@nerdypoc/the-flower-and-the-jewel-disneys-sexualisation-of-brown-women-3266233bfbf2 (Links to an external site.)

Creating such oversexualized characters creates the notion of what is desired in society, whether it is desired in ones self or in another person. Those that do not fit the standards that these characters set may not be seen as attractive or desired. This can lead to many self esteem issues.

The heteronormativity of the patriarchy and oversexualized characters is socialized within Disney movies. Disneys popularity and power is able to construct the notions of what femininity is. This is dangerous because children are taught that these standards are normal, and grow up thinking it is okay. Although these movies are fiction, children apply it to their own life. For example, a study shows that when young girls were talking about their future, they aspired to have a similar fairytale-like life: the girls viewed Cinderellas experience as one that might someday happen to them (Baker-Sperry 722). This shows how Disneys impact on childrens lives and aspirations.

Gender roles have evolved throughout time, and it can be seen throughout Disney princess movies. In Snow White (1938), the first Disney princess, Snow White reflects the standards of a woman during that time period. She cleans, cooks, and takes care of the seven dwarves- essentially a housewife, and is of course saved by a prince. New princesses from the past decade reign on their own, are outspoken, adventurous, and self dependent. In Moana (2016), one of the newest princesses, Moana does not have a love interest. She saves the entire island on her own, and reigns as queen- without a king. Disney is also making an effort to empower young girls of color after criticism of being a mostly eurocentric princess franchise. The new, live action The Little Mermaid, movie will be played by an African-American actress. This is a breakthrough for black women, because they have been severely underrepresented in the Disney franchise.