Hot Disney princess sexy-time
Disney has barely had time to recover from the last time I lambasted their Princesses.
[Truth be told, the stock is up about 50% since then. But I digress.]
How did they allow this to slip through the cracks?
Anyone with young daughters knows that no pediatric doctor or dentist worth his salt is without a healthy supply of Disney Princess stickers. Get a check up. Get a sticker. The kids love 'em. The stickers usually depict one of the Princesses in a demure, modest pose, sometimes surrounded by little bluebirds and bunnies.
In 2007, Disney released Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. Though intended for a young audience, it's a send-up of princess movies that's actually a hell of a lot of fun. It's big wet kiss to New York City, so it deserves a viewing for that alone.
In the opening sequence, Amy Adams' Princess Giselle is depicted as an animated figure. She is pushed into a well by her evil stepmother (a deliciously over-the-top Susan Sarandon) and ends up crawling out of a manhole in the middle of Times Square into the"real" world. Hijinks ensue.
Here's the sticker 3-Year Old Daughter just got from the dentist. It depicts the animated Amy Adams character.
Tell me the truth. I can take it. Am I being old and creepy? (I mean, more so than usual.) I don't think there's anything demure or modest about this pose. I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure I've seen poses similar to this in Playboy.
In fact, the last time I had a girl look at me like this, with her too tight dress cascading off her shoulders and a come-hither gaze, I got my world rocked. It's a cartoon, for cryin' out loud! What's my 3-year old suppose to make of this? I'm sure it must register something.
[Truth be told, the stock is up about 50% since then. But I digress.]
How did they allow this to slip through the cracks?
Anyone with young daughters knows that no pediatric doctor or dentist worth his salt is without a healthy supply of Disney Princess stickers. Get a check up. Get a sticker. The kids love 'em. The stickers usually depict one of the Princesses in a demure, modest pose, sometimes surrounded by little bluebirds and bunnies.
In 2007, Disney released Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. Though intended for a young audience, it's a send-up of princess movies that's actually a hell of a lot of fun. It's big wet kiss to New York City, so it deserves a viewing for that alone.
In the opening sequence, Amy Adams' Princess Giselle is depicted as an animated figure. She is pushed into a well by her evil stepmother (a deliciously over-the-top Susan Sarandon) and ends up crawling out of a manhole in the middle of Times Square into the"real" world. Hijinks ensue.
Here's the sticker 3-Year Old Daughter just got from the dentist. It depicts the animated Amy Adams character.
Tell me the truth. I can take it. Am I being old and creepy? (I mean, more so than usual.) I don't think there's anything demure or modest about this pose. I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure I've seen poses similar to this in Playboy.
In fact, the last time I had a girl look at me like this, with her too tight dress cascading off her shoulders and a come-hither gaze, I got my world rocked. It's a cartoon, for cryin' out loud! What's my 3-year old suppose to make of this? I'm sure it must register something.
posted by The Unbearable Banishment at
7:46 AM
23 Comments:
I see where you are coming from but I really don't think the girls look at it like that. Talk about subliminal messages. I have heard many time how Disney does this. WOW
MT
Sadly, I have seen pictures of some of my friends preschool and kindergarten daughters along with a few ten and eleven year girls striking vampish sultry looking poses similar to the one you've posted.
I think it's a direct result of movies and TV images like these. I know I sound like an old woman, but I don't care ... I think it's too much too soon.
i have to agree, sugar! i think gifts of the journey said it the best...I think it's too much too soon. xoxoxox
It's called subliminal messaging and its been going on for years. Watch the videos on youtube, search for disney subliminal messages. You will never look at Ariel's underwater castle the same...
Uhm, there is nothing subliminal about that sticker. It's an out and out come hither look.
MT: Boy, I sure hope you're right. Was it like this when A and N were young?
GOTJ: I guess this post makes me sound like an old man but, like you, I don't care.
Savannah: Thanks. I was worried that I was being hypersensitive.
MP: I'm almost afraid to look into this deeper but I will. Next stop. YouTube.
Cat: So I'm not being weird? That's a relief. But now I have a much bigger problem: keeping The Daughters sane.
Yes it has been, we have one of the original Little Mermaid VCR tapes that was taken off the marked because one of the castle domes is a largely erected...well I think you can figure that out.
MT
I think sister M has sent me a list of all the subliminal messages that Disney put out at one time. You will have to call her if anyone would know she would know.
http://cinemaroll.com/animation/6-subliminal-messages-you-never-noticed-in-your-favorite-disney-films/
not subtle, and not just disney. it's everywhere. the only thing i tried with my daughter to counter the message was 'sports'. the idea that women are strong and confident and all that...
i think what annoyed me more than the overt sexuality of the disney princesses is the fact that they all had to be RESCUED by a HANDSOME MAN to become a WIFE. yikes. that's a bad message
Like Cat said, flat out come hither. What I really want to know is what kind of shoes she has on--flip flops or 4 inch stilettos?
MT: Those instances you site on YouTube are somewhat subtle. This drawing is right in your (my) face. No second-guessing required.
Daisy: Frankly, I hope The Daughters don't need to be rescued and are drawn to powerful people of the same sex!
HIF: I'm certain she's wearing F-me pumps. Take a look at the pic again. Arms back, breasts jutting out. What ELSE would she be wearing?
Disney princesses will be replaced by Barbie soon enough, with a whole new set of doll-personification issues. But it's been going on for generations. Nothing new, no permanent damage (we hope).
It's hardly new. Nor is the discomfort of parents when they begin to realize that their children are sexual beings.
At 3 I doubt anything is registering in terms of cartoon characters or dolls, but I would bet she understands the basics on her level just from observing the adults around her.
I kissed a boy when I was 7. I had my first major crush at 5. I try not to be alarmed by my own daughter's interest in boys and such b/c I know it is normal - that doesn't always help.
Princesses and fairies and all things little girl are probably less harmful than we imagine.
...so, between me and you, does she have an elder sister?
All the Disney stuff I've seen (and I don't even have kids to worry about) tends to be superficially for the kids but there is always a level for the adults. And yeah, she's definitely saying, 'come and get me, bad boy!'.
I don't care if she has an older sister... but if one of those handsome princes has an older brother... send him my way! ;-)
Yup, that's a come-hither look and a fabulous rack.
Hedgehog was never really into the Disney Princesses, but she's always liked Barbies. For some reason, I don't really worry about it. Hedgie doesn't seem to have suffered any ill effects from exposure to Barbie's bound feet, corseted waist, boob job and freakishly long legs...lol
You mean to say you don't think all the little Greek girls felt the same pressure to look like the Caryatids (heh, heh, get it?... the Caryatids are at the Erechtheum...get it?) or got a little light headed around the -ahem- STAFF of Apollo?
The frequency of exposure has increased, but isn't that why we've counteracted these measures by delaying the onset of adulthood to 18?
So says the father of a young boy.....
Point: I can tell you one thing: a Bratz doll will never enter this house.
Annie: What's a bit disconcerting is that 3-year old is watching movies that I don't think are appropriate for someone her age. 8-year old puts a DVD on and what are we suppose to do? Kick her out of the family room?
Jimmy: She's hot, right?
Ponita: I'm glad you (and others) agree with me. I didn't want to seem like a wierdo by sexualizing a cartoon.
Leah: That IS a hell of a rack, ain't it? And I like redheads so much that I married one!
JZ: As Joe Jackson would say, "It's different for girls."
I'm totally pulling that exact same pose on my gchat status pic. I have Disney to thank for teaching me that pose.
Come hither.
Disney is pure evil.
Oh boy, this is a big one. I want to comment, but hardly know where to begin. I am an old mom (55) with a 12 yr old "princess" who is growing up loving disney princesses. I know what you are talking about, but honestly I have many more concerns with real life influences such as Britney Spears, Paris-types, and Miley C. My daughter hates all of these and wisely sees the shallowness of it all. And another big problem - some of her friends with moms who are in there 30's but are behaving like 21 yr olds, and dressing themselves and their kids like little sluts - and taking their daughters to Brit. Spears concerts, etc.
The art world is filled with voluptuous, sensual images, great works praised by all. We can't expect kids not to notice the differences between the sexes, and we can't expect them not to be aware of what our society finds attractive. As parents we have to try to teach them the proper use of that attractiveness. Girls can't help growing boobs, and boys can't help being attracted to those boobs. It's hard-wired.
My daughter loved Barbies - still has hers but has less interest in them now. Same with the Princess movies. Has pretty much outgrown them, but loves to look back and remember fondly....
The much bigger concern, IMHO, is observing and guarding against what is going on around us all in the real world, the music industry, etc.
But I didn't mean to lecture...
Also, try to see it as a 3 yr old girl sees it, not as a middle aged man with a history and sexual knowledge. She sees a very pretty female with flowing hair and big eyes and lovely smiles, and (in most cases) a very kind personality. It's a magical fairytale, not a sexual fantasy.
In my experience, harmless. But I'm open to other ideas. Just hasn't been a problem like real life pop stars, etc.
But we have to be ever watchful. I wish all adults would consider the children more in all areas.
Lori: Thank you for those excellent insights. I appreciate you taking the time. These two beautiful daughters didn't come with an instruction manual and I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I panic easily, but I suppose that's better than not caring at all.
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