Christensen

Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us

Linda Christensen

Reflection

I thought Christensen did a good job of explaining the stereotypes presented in cartoons and movies. I liked how the article was written based on work she had done with her class. The reader was able to see how students reacted to the topic, as well as Christensen. The “secret education” that she talks about is very relevant. Like other people mentioned, one of the biggest issues is body image. This is true for both girls and boys. Young children look at these characters and think that the only way people are going to like them and they’re going to fit it is if they have the perfect body, perfect hair, or the biggest muscles. Another issue is with relationships. Girls are taught that they have to end up with the perfect guy, their “Prince Charming”. Boys are taught that they have to marry the prettiest girl, the Princess. These, and other stereotypes, give children the wrong ideas of what will make them happy in life.

This reading connects a lot to Grinner’s SCWAAMP. First, straightness. The relationships that are seen in these movies and cartoons are always between a man and a woman. This shows children that that is the only option for a relationship. Next, whiteness. Until The Princess and the Frog, there had never been a black princess. This shows children that whiteness is favored in society. Next, able-bodiedness. Both boys and girls are shown unrealistic expectations for what they should look like. Finally, maleness. Girls are shown that the only thing that will give them a “happily ever after” is to marry their Prince Charming. This is also seen with gender roles. For example, the maid in the family is always a woman, and the dad always has a high position job.

It may seem like I’m contradicting myself, but I do want to point out that although I agree that these cartoons and movies provide children with many negative stereotypes, I don’t think Disney is something that people should completely turn away from, like some of Christensen's students suggested, especially for kids. All day long at the daycare I work at the kids talk constantly about Disney princesses and their favorite cartoons. They pretend to be the characters and act out their favorite parts. I don’t see a problem with this. As a teacher, and someday as a parent, I wouldn’t want to take something away from children that they enjoy so much. Christensen said, “…at times my students would like to remain ‘ignorant and happy’” (134). Maybe it’s naïve of me to think this way, but I don’t believe that sheltering a four year old from Disney is going to change much about the way society affects them.

Point to Share:

Society and media play a huge role in how children grow up. The people and the lifestyles that are portrayed in the media are what kids look up to and aspire to be. I believe this can be both negative and positive. It’s negative when body image is something that is looked up to, like wanting to look like Barbie. However, sometimes when personalities are looked up to it can be positive. For example, Merida’s motivation to control her own life from the Disney movie Brave or Marlin’s determination from the Disney movie Finding Nemo.