Perhaps the most interesting aspect of my shift is that–unlike most shifts that move in a forward, relatively linear direction–my shift is actually a move backwards as a result of the end of WWII and the Baby Boom. I’m choosing to analyze this shift through the changes in body type dichotomy between male and female characters in Disney princess films. Not only did the size difference increase between male and female characters as the shift progressed, but also the implied power difference between characters of different genders. One of the most striking instances of this is the way in which imagery of Princess Snow White changed over time. The original 1937 film featured a small, yet still realistically proportioned heroine who was not drastically or exaggeratedly smaller than her prince, and was in fact much taller than the seven male dwarves. However, images from the early 2000s feature a significantly slimmer and smaller Snow White with a sexualized hourglass figure.
The impact of these images is incredibly important because the gender dichotomy established by the body types of Disney Princess and their male counterparts is incredibly significant in the formation of the society’s perceptions of gender and power. Humans are an incredibly visually oriented species, and the images of men and women that we see in our formative years in childhood dramatically impact our perceptions of gender and power. Children who see images of tiny, physically weak, and unrealistically proportioned female heroines next to massive, strong, and equally unrealistically proportioned male characters internalize this imagery and form sexist concepts of gender and power that stay with them throughout much of their lives. Teaching children about gender sets the standard for gender roles and gender power dynamics for the emerging generation. These perceptions and concepts work with other elements of oppression and bias to create a sexist culture that impacts both women and men.