Images of gender, race, age, and sexual orientation in disney feature-length animated films

Abstract

The Disney Corporation is one of the largest media companies in the world. Disney's full-length animated films have been a popular form of children's entertainment for more than 60 years. No research to date has examined the portrayals of the organizing societal principles of gender, race, age, and sexual orientation across a wide sample of these films. This study examines the portrayal of these organizing principles in a sample of 26 full-length animated Disney films. Findings indicate that gender, racial, and cultural stereotypes have persisted over time in Disney films. Few examples of positive portrayals emerged, but were increasingly common in later films. Marginalized groups were portrayed negatively, rarely, or not at all. Clinical implications for therapists are provided. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.