Disney Princess Readings Response

What is it with our culture's fascination with princesses? Is it the idea that the ideal living situation is to marry rich and live life free of care (and purpose)? Culturally speaking, yes, I understand where and why the princess image was so popular in the past considering dated female gender roles and clearly there is still a very high interest in the princess image when one observes the societal obsession with Prince Harry and his commoner wife, Kate. Is it time that we retire the word "princess" or would it be more beneficial to redefine the word? A princess is next in line to become queen, a ruler and woman of power, yet we don't see it that way. 

Disney princesses have always been a hot, controversial topic for feminist. Many women grow up with these films and fall in love with the beauty, glitz, and glam that comes with royalty, however, there are many different factors that question whether or not these are ideal role models for women. There is always the over sexualization of princesses as well as feminization. Mulan, who spends a majority of the movie disguised as a man fighting to save China, ends the movie subservient to her husband (her general during war, hegemonic masculinity propaganda at its finest) and back in her feminizing wardrobe. Pocahontas, who is real life was 12 years old and had no romantic interest in John Smith, is also turned into a mature sexual temptress whom John Smith finds the need to westernize and dominate (although I do love her for turning him down in the end to stay with her family). In the history of Disney Princesses, there has only been one who has not been sexualized nor invest in a romantic relationship. However, this princess, Merida from Brave, was the most criticized for being too outspoken and angst. She has even been called out to the the "bitchiest" of all the princesses, despite singlehandedly saving her family and clan from danger. 

My biggest issue with Disney princesses is that they are completely over sexualized and independent. They don't celebrate the individual but instead groom the masses for the male gaze while "attempting" to sprinkle in "feminist" ideals and when they do finally create a character worth praising, she is demonized and subjected to criticism for not being like the rest.