© Disney
The Disney Princesses are one of the most successful and influential products of The Walt Disney Company (Silalahi et al., 2023). Since the introduction of Snow White in 1937, the company has continued to produce princess films (Muir, 2023). In 2001 the official Disney Princess line launched (Hefner et al., 2017), which has led to a thriving industry around merchandise and marketing (Muir, 2023). Till now, there have been thirteen official Disney princesses (Zhai, 2023). Although progress can be seen, the princesses contain strong stereotypes about the role and appearance of women (Zhai, 2023).
© Disney
The appearance of Disney princesses has remained largely consistent over the years and reflects unrealistic beauty ideals (Zhai, 2023). From the first Disney princesses to the modern generation, Disney continues to present slim bodies, small waists, large eyes, long eyelashes, fair skin, and long, shiny hair as the norm of beauty (Zhai, 2023; Silalahi et al., 2023). In addition, they are often emphasized by physical features such as prominent cheekbones, a small nose and chin, and smooth skin (Gangestad & Scheyd, 2005). In some cases, princesses' bodies are designed in a way that appeals to the male gaze, with their clothes emphasizing their figures and covering only a small part of the body (Zhai, 2023).
Not only are Disney princesses portrayed according to fixed stereotypes in terms of appearance, but their character traits also follow a recognisable pattern. The majority of the Disney princesses are depicted as submissive, weak, and dependent on male rescue (Zhai, 2023). They take on roles that closely resemble those of housewives and lack the ability to make their own decisions. These princesses are reduced to passive objects of desire and seem to exist primarily to be loved by a prince, which contributes to the idea that women cannot save themselves (Zhai, 2023).
The next four steps showcase how Merida sets herself apart from the princess stereotype.