Transcript sexism in fairy tales

ARE FAIRY TALES SEXIST?
By: Natalie Leska
MAIN POINTS
• Discuss how fairy tales are sexist/feminist (mostly Disney’s adaptations)
• Talk about how fairy tales are being adapted to fit into a young boy’s
interests
• Discuss Disney’s different adaptation of fairy tales and how each one is
sexist or feminist
• Discuss why society and even Disney have made films that let people
believe that fairy tales are more of a girl thing and if a boy were to watch
them it would be embarrassing
• How Disney princesses are always portrayed as perfect (picturesque)
• How all prince charming’s in every fairy tale seem the same (recycled
character) where as the princesses each have their own story
QUESTIONS
• How/why do Disney fairy tales mainly focus their movies off of a female?
• Do strong female movies shy male movie-gooers away?
• Do movie titles and/or movie posters convey a more female approach?
• Why does Disney feel it is more appropriate to incorporate a stronger male
character in the new adaptations of fairy tales? Does society influence this?
• Do fairy tales make young girls think that they will all grow up as
princesses and find their “prince charming” some day.
POSSIBLE SOURCES
Davis, Amy. “The “Dark Prince’ and Dream Women: Walt Disney and MidTwentieth Century American Feminism.” Historical Journal of Film,
Radio and Television 25. (June 2005): 213-230. 11 March 2013. Web
Hovdestad, Wendy. “Unwanted Personal Contact in Risky Situations in Ten
Disney Animated Feature Films.” Child Abuse Review 18. (2009). 111126. Web. 12 March 2013.
Kingston, Albert. “Sexism and Reading: A Critical Review of the Literature.”
Reading Research Quarterly 13. (1977-1978): 133-161. Print
Lindsay. “Sexism in Grimm’s & Disney.” Blogspot. Google. Web. 10 March 2013.
Silverstein, Melissa. “Disney Swears off Princesses.”