Gender Role Portrayals of Modern Disney Royalty: Stereotypical or Androgynous?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the occurrences of gender-stereotypical characteristics and gender atypicalities observed in the prince and princess characters from Disney’s 2010 film, Tangled; 2012 film, Brave; and 2013 film, Frozen. Participant coders observed the characters using a checklist comprised of gender-stereotypical characteristics, and they made tally marks and notes about the characters’ gender portrayals. The results from the coders’ checklists indicate important differences between past and present Disney royalty. The quantitative results revealed that the observed characters in revival Disney Princess films have androgynous or undifferentiated gender role portrayals. Qualitative notes indicated that most of the revival prince and princess characters are both androgynous and progressive.