Disney

Dissertation--PhD; The University of Oklahoma, 1997.
This research utilizes a triangulation of methods to include critical, historical, content, and comparative analyses to systematically test the conventional assumptions concerning age and gender depiction in seven recent Disney videos based on anecdotal and fragmentary evidence that Disney products are mainly wholesome family entertainment, safely enjoyable by children of all ages. The study is significant because research on full-length animated films developed for the child's audience is almost nonexistent.

Dissertation--PhD; Florida Atlantic University, 2009.
Disney commands a strong market presence worldwide in print and multimedia products used for early childhood entertainment. Yet, the gender and cultural bias found in Disney animated fairy tale media has been well documented. Although preprimary early childhood teachers are urged to maintain a multicultural environment that is free of bias and stereotypes, very little training or support is presented to guide preprimary early childhood teachers in the selection of materials for use in their preprimary early childhood classrooms. The study sought to investigate the influence of a professional development module focused on the gender and cultural bias found in Disney animated fairy tale media on preprimary early childhood teachers.

Dissertation--MA; Drexel University, 2022.
Family life has been a staple of the sitcom genre since its inception. Still, the ubiquity of the ideal suburban family that first appeared in the mid-1950s has stayed a part of the genre and continues to impact how viewers perceive the average American family. The increased availability of old sitcoms on streaming services has created a need to better understand the impact of these depictions. The Disney+ limited series WandaVision (2021) provides a perfect basis to understand this role. Through an in-depth analysis of this series, this study examines the evolution of the sitcom family, from the picture-perfect 1950s to the present day, the roles each depiction served for their contemporary audiences, and the effects they have on the viewers of today. Using the concepts of Media Effects and Social Learning Theory to analyze the character of Wanda Maximoff, this study addresses what can happen when sitcoms’ unrealistic idea of normalcy impacts the lives of viewers.

Dissertation--M.S.; San Jose State University, 2011.
This thesis examined the role and characterization of family members in Disney princess films. The purpose of this study was to fill gaps in previous research on the Disney princess films by analyzing the themes and collection as a whole, including the newest film in the collection, The Princess and the Frog. Using content analysis, this study identified three variables that were present in every Disney princess film in the collection—nuclear family, love, and appearance.

Dissertation--MA; Florida State University, 2012.
Disneyland theme park's significance draws from its development as the first themed park in conjunction with its position as representative of a 1950s suburban American psyche. In attending a themed space, a visitor supplements and completes the park’s narrative by acting as the protagonist. The continued popularity of this fifty-five-year-old park speaks to the significance of Disneyland as a cultural and social destination. This thesis focuses on the way in which the performance of a normative American identity coincided with Walt Disney's shaping of Disneyland. Focusing on 1955 and 1956, the author examines the engagement of the audience with the narratives presented in Disneyland in order to explicate the performance of a postwar suburban American identity as idyllic and patriotic.

Social Sciences, 2018, Vol.7 (3), p.47
Disney animated films continue to serve as an influential form of media that shapes children’s development of beliefs about the world surrounding them, including the construct of the family. However, a census analysis as to how Disney animated films represent depictions of families has yet to be conducted. To fill this gap, we assessed the qualities of family demographics, structure, and function in a census analysis of 85 Disney animated films from the years 1937–2018.

Journal of Aging Studies., 2007, Vol.21(3), p.203-213
Stereotypes arise in children's lives from their direct experience and also from the media. Today, television and movies serve as an important socializing function supplying many children with images that can form, change, and reinforce stereotypes. Researchers have found that by the time children enter elementary school, they have already developed negative views of older adults. This research examines the representation of older people in Disney animated film in terms of their gender, race, appearance, role, personality, and physical characteristics of older characters. Disney films hold a prominent position in children's media consumption and children today come to know Disney's characters and stories just as their parents and grandparents. The findings indicate that while the majority of older characters are portrayed as positive characters, there is still a large percentage that is portrayed in a negative manner. These results help explain why children have negative feelings toward older people.

The American Journal of Family Therapy., 2003, Vol.31(5), p.355-373
Media have the potential to serve as sources of information regarding couples and families for many children. One of the more popular forms of children’s media is the Disney animated feature length movie. To date, no research has examined images of couples and families in a wide sampling of Disney feature-length animated films. This study was designed to identify themes about couples and families portrayed in 26 Disney animated classics and recently released movies. In general, four overarching themes were identified: (a) family relationships are a strong priority, (b) families are diverse, but the diversity is often simplified, (c) fathers are elevated, while mothers are marginalized, and (d) couple relationships are created by “love at first sight,” are easily maintained, and are often characterized by gender-based power differentials.