Disney Princess Effect Analysis

Movies, books, costumes, and the toys on the shelves in almost every store have been consumed by the Disney Princess. For most little girls, princesses ranging from Cinderella to Elsa have become their biggest role models. Important lessons like learning to stand up for yourself, never giving up, following your heart, and finding the beauty in nature are just a few of the teachings throughout the Disney Princess movies. What parent in their right mind wouldn't want these things for their daughter? Author Stephanie Hanes explores a possible answer to this question in the article, “Little Girls or Little Women? The Disney Princess Effect” originally published on October 3, 2011 from the Christian Science Monitor. Hanes makes her argument by persuading
parents that Disney Princesses, social media, and advertisements are the reasons behind their daughter's wanting to mature too soon. By using pathos and logos techniques, and considerate organization of the information, Hanes shapes her theory. Throughout the article, Hanes makes it evident that the intended audience is the parents of young girls. Hanes does this by referring to other sources such as Disney Princess Recovery: Bringing Sexy Back for a Full Refund, a blog by Mary Finucane, Cinderella Ate My Daughter, a book by Peggy Orenstein, and "What's Wrong With Cinderella?," an essay in New York Times, also by Orenstein. The authors of these sources are mothers sharing their attempts to steer their daughters away from Disney Princesses because of the negative effect it brings on their children's maturing. Along with this, Hanes mentions Diane Levins, an early childhood specialist at Wheelock College in Boston by saying near the end of the article, "Parents' involvement is key, but they don't have to act alone. Over the past few years, a growing group of advocacy organizations have formed to help fight against marketing pressure and sexualization" (515). By this, she gives off a progressive emphasis by stating examples of ways to cure, or prevent, the Disney Princess Effect. To start the article, Hanes uses pathos by depicting Mary Finucane's story of her daughter who seems less interested in the world ever since discovering the Disney Princesses. After researching, Finucane created Disney Princess Recovery: Bringing Sexy Back for a Full Refund, a blog to get her daughter's creative awareness back. By using a story that portrays the loss of creative energy and interests in young girls, a feeling of sadness and benevolence is created. Furthermore, Hanes uses these feelings to convince parents that there is an adverse influence from Disney Princesses and the media. In addition to using a pathos approach, Hanes uses an abundance of statistics to provide a logos strategy in her article. For instance, Hanes mentions a recent study from the University of Central Florida stating that 50% of 3 to 6-year-old girls worry that they are fat (515). Because this fact is unexpected and extremely alarming, it draws in adults with young female children, persuades them to read more, and possibly influences them to agree with her ultimate claim. Another example of Hanes using a logos approach is when she states that according to research from the NPD Group, the percentage of 8 to 12 year olds who wear mascara have doubled (514).
Once again, this fact will make some parents pause for a second. The element of surprise will cause this reader to want to read more of Hanes argument. In addition to some of these facts, she includes a picture with a caption that line up with the points she is making. By including a picture and caption, Hanes further illustrates her argument. In the articles original form, there is an option to view more photos backing up her
claims. Through persuasion techniques, logos, and pathos, Stephanie Hanes created a convincing argument and possible answer to the question of why parents wouldn't want Disney Princesses in their daughters lives.
Along with this, the influence of social media and advertisements have been growing, and working against the favor of young females, according to Hanes. With these claims, Stephanie Hanes created an article with emotional appeal that leads into a logical appeal, and ends with a progressive appeal. Hanes organizes an extremely clear argument. Structuring her article in this manner contributes to getting the attention of parents by drawing them in, presenting the facts, and moving them into
action.