Parental Influence in Disney Animated Movies
Analysis of Living Parents
Of the 35 Disney animated films analyzed, the stereotypical nuclear family of two parents and their children appears only four times — slightly more than 11 percent. Disney produced 23 animated films over 40 years before featuring a family with two biological parents that endure the length of the movie. Since 1997, four of 13 (or about 30 percent) Disney animated movies contain two living parents. This contradicts real-life trends, according to Census Bureau data that shows that 40 percent of families in 1970 comprised married couples with children. In 2013, nuclear families make up just 19 percent of households (Babay, 2013).
When parental death is not an issue for the protagonist to overcome, the main character in most cases must protect the family when the parents cannot do it themselves because of age, distance or involvement in the plot. Despite the heavy responsibility placed on the children, the parents are attentive, caring and worried for their children’s safety.
However, children are often placed in life-or-death situations and even forced to kill enemies. Guarding the family’s safety or honor often carries much larger implications such as the well-being of the family’s country, clan or neighborhood.
Hercules (1997)
Issue: Greek gods Zeus and Hera have a son named Hercules. Zeus’s jealous brother Hades kidnaps Hercules and feeds him a potion that makes Hercules mortal. Farmers find and adopt Hercules, who visits the temple of Zeus to learn that he can regain his godly status by becoming a true hero.
Parental Relationship: Although both of Hercules’s parents are alive, the relationship is much more strained and distant than in other movies. Hercules strives to meet the standards of his parents, even saving Olympus from Hades. When his love interest, Meg, is denied entrance to Olympus, Hercules chooses to become mortal and stay on Earth. Even by foregoing his family and godhood, Hercules is hailed as a hero both on Earth and Olympus.
Issue: As the only man in the family, Mulan’s elderly father is summoned to join the Chinese army. Mulan, told earlier that she was unfit to be a wife, disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army.
Parental Relationship: Mulan and her family members are wrapped up in the Chinese culture of honor and tradition. Mulan is devastated when the matchmaker tells her she will not become a wife and goes on her quest in an effort to protect her father and restore the family name. She receives numerous honors for defeating the Huns but asks only to return to her family.
Mulan (1998)
Issue: Bob and Helen Parr, formerly known as the superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, live as a classic suburban family with their children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack after being relocated and forced to retire. Bob is restless and unsatisfied with his new life and discovers a new villain. The family uses their various powers to save each other and kill the villain.
Parental Relationship: Unlike most Disney animated films, the patriarch is the central figure in the plot. Each child develops powers as the family works in unison to solve each challenge and protect the family. The family’s journey reinforces the nuclear family concept by showing them working and succeeding together.
The Incredibles (2004)
Issue: Merida, an impulsive and headstrong daughter to the King Fergus and Queen Elinor, defies age-old traditions and seeks to control her own destiny. A witch provides Merida with a cake to change her fate, which turns the queen into a bear. Merida has two days to reverse the spell and “mend the bond torn by pride."
Parental Relationship: Merida quickly regrets turning her mother into a bear and vows to reverse the spell. She is ready to declare herself ready to choose a suitor but instead insists — with Elinor’s silent encouragement — that first-born children should be allowed to marry in their own time to whomever they choose. Fergus captures Elinor, believing her to be the bear that stole his leg many years ago. Merida intervenes to protect her mother, who in turn protects Merida when another bear attacks. As the sun rises Merida reconciles with Elinor, reverses the spell and reunites the family.
Brave (2012)
