A study by the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work found that Disney films can be an effective tool for parents to communicate with their children. One likely reason is that love has been a central theme in Disney’s movies of the distant and recent past.
One of the study’s co-authors, Yu-Ju Huang, pointed out that early Disney movies focused on romance, while recent films were more about familial love.
“It’s a significant change in how love can be very diverse and how people apply love to their social relationships,” Huang explained.
Films like The Lion King also touched on more somber topics like death but didn’t delve too deeply. According to Azusa Pacific University social work professor Carol A. Leung, this leaves room for parents to discuss such serious issues with their children.
As Leung said in an interview with the University of Houston, these characters can be “conversation starters” to help kids understand these concepts more quickly.
Of course, Disney films aren’t exempt from controversies. A study by Brigham Young University found that young girls who identified with Disney princesses were likely to engage in gender stereotyping and had lower body self-esteem.
More research published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry found that 85% of Disney’s films before 2004 spoke about mental health in a denigrating manner. Researchers also warned about the possible implications for children learning prejudicial attitudes at a young age.
Prominent villains like Cruella de Vil, Ursula, Scar, Captain Hook, and Jafar also captured children’s imaginations by introducing the dichotomy of good and evil. However, experts like behavioral economist Fred Zimmerman see this as a problem because kids learn to “demonize” people who engage in “bad” behavior.
“One can’t help but wonder if this Disnified understanding of the world as a struggle between the good and bad guys is a piece of today’s problems of political polarization and social exclusion problems,” Zimmerman told the BBC.
All the good and bad aside, Disney films have made an impact over the last few decades. They contributed to the rise of animated movies, encouraged creativity and imagination, and reinforced important moral values.
Today’s films also adapt to current societal norms by incorporating themes of diversity and inclusivity. There are upsides and downsides, but these changes are a form of education for children.
As Xavier University of Louisiana professor Shearon Roberts pointed out, current Disney films allow girls to realize their full potential and impart an important lesson to young boys.
“Women and girls are not just their objects of affection, but allies in ridding their worlds of evil and making the world better for all,” Roberts told the BBC in the same interview.
