Cinderell Gender Roles In Disney's Princess Stories
Gender roles are a perceived set of behavioural norms usually associated with males and females in a given social group or system. They allow individuals to refer to certain attitudes or behaviours that class a person’s stereotypical identity. Cinderella is a well known Disney character that had gone through some things in her life that certain people can relate to. Disney portrays women through several “princess” stories. There are similarities in the princess stories that Disney has created. Although with the story of Cinderella, they seem to portray women in a certain way.
With Cinderella’s unfortunate life circumstances, she became like a servant in the home doing everything for her step-mother and step-sisters, making it seem okay for
her to be doing all the cleaning with no help. I feel this story relates to the fact that women in the 1950s were essentially confined to the role of housewife. Upon getting married, women were expected to stay at home and perform household chores. Some viewers are able to draw parallels within the film, as well; there is an expectation of Cinderella to constantly perform similar tasks, like sweeping and sewing. When she doesn’t do these things, there are consequences, suggesting that it is in a woman’s best interest to do the housework expected of them.
An other example of how Disney has portrayed women is that the idea that a woman’s value is determined based on how they look. This is seen in specific instances in the film, such as when Cinderella encounters her Fairy Godmother. Initially, Cinderella is dressed quite plainly in her house clothes. Her transformation into a glamorous and impeccably dressed young bachelorette reinforces the beauty ideal. If Cinderella were to attend the Prince’s ball in her homely attire, her chances of making a good and lasting impression on the Prince would be slim to none.
With Cinderella’s unfortunate life circumstances, she became like a servant in the home doing everything for her step-mother and step-sisters, making it seem okay for
her to be doing all the cleaning with no help. I feel this story relates to the fact that women in the 1950s were essentially confined to the role of housewife. Upon getting married, women were expected to stay at home and perform household chores. Some viewers are able to draw parallels within the film, as well; there is an expectation of Cinderella to constantly perform similar tasks, like sweeping and sewing. When she doesn’t do these things, there are consequences, suggesting that it is in a woman’s best interest to do the housework expected of them.
An other example of how Disney has portrayed women is that the idea that a woman’s value is determined based on how they look. This is seen in specific instances in the film, such as when Cinderella encounters her Fairy Godmother. Initially, Cinderella is dressed quite plainly in her house clothes. Her transformation into a glamorous and impeccably dressed young bachelorette reinforces the beauty ideal. If Cinderella were to attend the Prince’s ball in her homely attire, her chances of making a good and lasting impression on the Prince would be slim to none.