Undergraduate Research

Media Portrayal of Female Characteristics Within Disney Movies Influencing Children’s Body Image

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Abstract

This study aims to examine whether there has been a change in the way that Disney portrays female characters in the films after the body positivity movement in 2012 and how they were portrayed in the films after 2012. A content analysis was conducted by collecting female characters of thirty Disney movies, fifteen that were shown before 2012, and fifteen that were shown after 2012. For each female character, physical attractiveness, body thinness, breast size, and ethnicity were analyzed. Results indicate that the Disney female characters after 2012 tend to show more diversity in ethnicity, physical attractiveness, body thinness, and breast size. As female characters in Disney movies have a major influence on girls’ body image, the change toward portraying more diverse beauty ideals in Disney movies will have a positive impact on girls’ body image. This study provides an insight of incorporating diversity and inclusion in media for children.

Keywords: meda, Disney, body image

How to Cite:

Blasko, K., Pohlman, M., Ayedun, K., Spoerer, M., Strassheim, S. & Yu, U., (2022) “Media Portrayal of Female Characteristics Within Disney Movies Influencing Children’s Body Image”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.15798