Thaindian News

Washington, Apr 2 (ANI): A survey has found that while women may be shedding some of their traditional gender roles, the pretty pink princess culture still abounds in the media and in merchandise aimed at young girls.

Scientists now find that Disney princesses have evolved over time to be less stereotypically “pink”, while Prince Charming has lost some of his manly muscle.

The researchers say both characters have a long way to go before they transform into healthy boys and girls unburdened of negative gender stereotypes.

“A lot of parents consider Disney high-quality family entertainment, and in a way it is, but when you examine some of the earlier princesses more closely, you do find some of the stereotypical gendered behaviours,” Fox News quoted study researcher Dawn England of the University of California at Santa Cruz, as saying.

This is something all parents have to deal with, said Peggy Orenstein, author of ‘Cinderella Ate My Daughter’, an examination of the gendered messages sent to little girls through pink and princess marketing.

“When my daughter was 4 and we watched ‘Mulan 2′, she asked why Mulan had to be strong and gentle but Shang only has to be strong,” she said in an email to Live Science.

“I think we’re still uncomfortable with a strong female character unless she exhibits some pretty traditional submissive behaviour along with her strength,” she wrote.

These gendered messages, such as the need for girls to look pretty and focus on their appearance over their inner substance, are still predominant in Disney princess merchandise and the pink princess culture that surrounds it.

These gender roles and how they are portrayed in the media can influence girls’ expectations and ideas of what is “normal” behaviour for their and the other gender.

“My intention is not to say that the Disney princess movies are all bad or a negative influence on our children, but it is important to consider what messages our children are exposed to,” England stated. (ANI)