Disney movies = bad parenting?

How can Disney movies be bad? We all love them and grew up on the right? I found a website that shows us the real meaning of Disney movies (according to Mackenzie Beverly). I will briefly summarize the lessons of some famous Disney movies.

Lion King – Simba is the son of Mufasa and he will take over the throne of the animal kingdom when Mufasa is gone. Simba’s uncle, Scar, wants to be king so he has Mufasa killed. Simba is then banished and Scar is king. Simba returns years later and Scar falls off a cliff. Simba is now king.

According to Mackenzie Beverly the Lion King’s actual message is “in order for you to be successful, others must pay.”

Cinderella - …I’m sure everyone knows this story so I wont explain it.

The lesson according the Beverly is “If you wait long enough, the universe will practically hand stuff to you.”

The Little Mermaid – “A little compromise with evil is okay, as long as everything works out okay in the end.”

Beauty and the Beast – “Underneath the abusive exterior of your man is a loving heart he’s just dying to share with you.”

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – “Ugly guys don’t get the girl, even if they’re devoted and awesome. That’s just how it works, sorry.”

Sleeping Beauty – “That guy who comes along and saves you from a crisis? Marry him! He’s the one!”

The Fox and the Hound – “And by “get along” we mean “don’t kill each other.” We certainly do not mean “live together.” Don’t be silly, you belong to different races!”

I believe that this person who wrote this article has a very narrow mind. I understand that Beverly tried to be funny but Disney movies are meant for entertainment. If someone’s life is based on the principles they got from Disney movies then that person needs some help.

When you’re younger, you don’t really pick up on everything that goes on in movies. For example the subliminal messages in some of the movies. I forgot how many Disney films had smoking scenes in them. Here’s a compilation video of smoking scenes from classic Disney movies

Disney movies have had zero impact on my life so far. They have not taught me right from wrong, how to treat women, or to view everyone as equal etc. These values I have learned from my parents and family. Now that I’m older I’ve realized that each movie has reoccurring themes. Two main themes that are present in a lot of the movies are the masculinity of men and femininity of  women.

In our society, most men display characteristics of dominance and strength, just like most of the men in Disney movies. I don’t have a problem at all with how men are portrayed by Disney characters. A man should be dominant and strong, but that doesn’t mean he has to be a muscle head.

In this world today it is much harder to be a female than a male. Everywhere you go, in a females mind, someone is always judging you. In the Disney movies, the main female character always has a perfect body, smile and is the ideal feminine figure.

This puts an image in most girls minds that they too need to have the perfect body, smile and be perfect in boys eyes.

I’m not mad at the way Disney portrays men and women. The thing that bothers me is that when parents don’t explain to their children how society really is. You don’t need to be perfect to get your prince charming. You don’t need to be big and strong to woo the princess of your dreams. So parents, if you’re reading this, please show your kids Disney movies but afterwords explain to them that you don’t have to look and act like the Disney characters.

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