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Playing Princess: Preschool Girls’ Interpretations of Gender Stereotypes in Disney Princess Media

byGeorgia Kisob '20

(journal)


“Playing Princess: Preschool Girls’ Interpretations of Gender Stereotypes in Disney Princess Media”
by Julia Golden and Jennifer Wallace speaks to the messages involving gender portrayed among the
Disney princess media sector. The purpose of the study was to examine the recurring behavior and
demeanor of young girls to fully assess their assimilation to the gender norms presented in media.
The main four themes or focuses of the study are “beauty, focus on clothing and accessories, princess
body movements, and exclusion of boys.” (Golden and Wallace 1) 
This study relates to my research because it takes a deeper look at the social cognitive theory of gender
development, which is my main point of research. It details how specifically these stereotypes form the
female brain at such a young age. It specifically concentrates on the idea of “one-dimensional femininity”
which can be harmful in the early stages of forming one’s gender identity. The piece covered many different
topics including general gender stereotypes, the effects on girls, children’s construction of gender, and mass
media. It is also helpful in the sense that it explores the topic of gender identity at large while utilizing the
Disney Princess model as a vehicle for understanding. 
Concerning construction of gender, Golden writes “Social cognitive theory explains that children reinforce and learn these gendered behaviors in part through the process of modeling, reenacting the actions of admired people and characters and taking up their expressions, gestures, and attitudes as a child might do through pretend play” (Wallace and Golden 3) Young children are often associated with the concept of being a “sponge,” which means they absorb the lifestyle patterns they observe in their environment. This information can come from various outlets and the social cognitive theory explains this common imitation pattern.  
This study is most significantly aimed for an audience of parents or educators who want to become more knowledgeable on the content they provide. It is also intended to help people maybe “ reconsider the type and amount of media they provide their children, acknowledging the effects of these images on their children’s behaviors and understandings of gender.” (Golden and Wallace 1) The research ends on the hypothesis that parents or adults also play a role in this process by praising or reinforcing these media inherited gendered behaviors.

Golden, Julia C., and Wallace J. Jennifer. "Playing Princess: Girls’ Interpretations of Gender Stereotypes in Disney Princess Media." Sex Roles, vol. 79, no. 5-6, 2018. 
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