Disney movies can influence children with messages of sexism and racism. Many Disney films portray stereotypical gender roles that show princesses needing to be rescued and focusing on their appearance, while male characters are often strong, handsome heroes who battle to win the affection of females. These portrayals can influence both young girls and boys by teaching them stereotypes about appropriate roles and behaviors based on gender. While entertaining, parents should watch Disney movies with their children and discuss how the characters and stories don't have to define one's identity or relationships.

1. What influence does Disneyhave on Children

2. As a child, I can remember getting up on a Saturday morning excited. Because the night before, my dad told my brother and I, he would be taking us to go see Bambi.To this day, I can remember how I felt when Bambi’s mother got shot. But as a child, what I did not notice were some of the messages that one could take from the movie.Did this movie or other Disney movies influence me in any way? Maybe or maybe not, but it is very apparent that there is sexism and racism in many if not all of Disney movies.

3. Aladdin

4. Information

5. Brer Rabbit and Tar Babyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk0u9ygrCYQ

6. A Few of the Most Racist Characters

7. The Disney Princesses and Sexism

8. What Message Does This SendI was appalled that this is in the movie for young girls to view. What sexist behavior being exhibited here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEBVGNyzmio&feature=related (4:03)

9. Subliminal Messages – You be the Judge

10. Popular Disney Movieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T41fCj9fag&feature=related 4:50The Beast was verbally abusive to Belle.Male dominanceI felt as if Belle looked at Beast as someone she needed to help or tame, so she took the abuse.

11. ConclusionIn researching the information on my presentation, one thing I realized is that we often think about the messages that are being sent to young girls, but what about the young boys who are watching too?There are messages that boys have to be good looking and strong. How to interact and look at women more as an object than a equal. In the movie The Incredibles, it shows a boy feeling belittled and not being able to count on anyone. Not being respected.Most relationships are based on heterosexual encounters between a hero/prince and a princess/heroine. With most of the males having chiseled bodies, strong, & handsome; while the females having small waistlines, long hair, and very pretty. Rather male or female, if the character does not have the above listed attributes, they are not looked at favorably.Most often there is a battle between men to win over the female. While there are times where the females are using seduction to get the man. She is usually shown in a position of cleaning and doing whatever it takes to win over the affection of a man.Males tend to dominate in the characters in the movies than females do. It shows still that the gender of males are shown to have a more important role.It is important as parent’s to watch movies with your children, but to instill in them, they do not have to be the negative stereotypes that are portrayed rather it be in movies, books, or television.

12. Works CitedMacKETHAN, Lucinda. "Racism Not Part of Tar Baby Tale." Latest Articles. Atlanta Journal Constitution, 27 May 2006. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639239/posts>."Best Animated Disney Movies : Best Animated Movies." Disney Movies : Walt Disney Movies : Disney Movie List. 07 Dec. 2010. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.disneymovieslist.com/best/animated-disney-movies.asp>.Joseph, Ben. "The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters | Cracked.com." Cracked.com - America's Only Humor & Video Site Since 1958 | Cracked.com. 16 Nov. 2007. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.cracked.com/article_15677_the-9-most-racist-disney-characters.html>.Z, Julie. "The Disney Princesses and Sexism | Fbomb." Feminist Blog about Women's Rights for Teenage Girls | Fbomb. 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://thefbomb.org/2009/10/the-disney-princesses-and-sexism/>."YouTube - Aladdin Subliminal Message." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 23 Oct. 2006. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4piZV5wPrw&feature=related>.Hannah. "6 Subliminal Messages You Never Noticed in Your Favorite Disney Films | Cinemaroll." Cinemaroll | Film Making, from the Viewers' Perspective. 06 Oct. 2008. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://cinemaroll.com/animation/6-subliminal-messages-you-never-noticed-in-your-favorite-disney-films/>.