Disney Princesses Are More Than Just Their Tiaras

The Disney Princesses have always been iconic and held in a high regard by many people and are adored globally. However, like anything that’s popular, there’s always someone with something negative to say.

Since the very start of the Disney Princesses phenomenon, with Snow White, people have been ridiculing the Princesses for being “helpless damsels in distress”. Whilst it may be the case that in some of the stories, our lead females have been ‘saved’ by their male companions; we shouldn’t be letting this take away from the characters they are, nor should we reduce them to just their crowns. By doing this, it’s almost suggesting that these characters are “just princesses” and that their story is only relevant because of the male characters that feature.

The inclusion of a romantic storyline does not make any female weak nor should we allow it to take away from their character. Take Mulan for instance; she saved China and fought for what is right despite being completely thrown into a “mans world”. Her storyline was not about a romance between her and Shang but instead her journey to save her country and to be taken seriously despite “just being a girl”. Mulan proved herself against all odds and in the process – she found romance with Shang, but what’s wrong with that? This does not and should not diminish her achievements.

Some of the Princess stories that appear to circulate around romance still have lessons we can learn from. For example, Cinderella, she found her Prince Charming but it wasn’t down to him that she was the good and kind-hearted character that everyone saw. Cinderella teaches courage and kindness and those are lessons we could all use. Even with the inclusion of Cinderella going to the ball and meeting Prince Charming and eventually living happily ever after – this does not make her any less important because of the romantic aspect. Females aren’t more or less important than each other based on their love lives and this should be the case with Disney Princesses too.

Another beloved Princess is the fierce and outgoing Merida. Merida’s story doesn’t feature any romantic storyline but instead focuses on Merida’s journey with her family – in particular her Mum. Brave shows Merida standing up to a patriarchal tradition, and standing up for what she believes in, whilst trying to show to everyone who she really is and to be accepted for that. So in the case of Merida, she doesn’t have a male companion but she shows that there’s nothing wrong with that. She fights what she believes in and remains a strong character.

Today is International Women’s Day 2019, so there’s no better time to think of how we view the Disney Princesses and how this reflects on the way society views women.

Each of the Disney Princesses represent something different but the one thing they all have in common is that they are women that fall under the ‘Princess’ category. This grouping does not change the people they are and it doesn’t mean that they are any less worthy of being strong and inspiring women because they are “princesses”. In society, women are constantly being reduced to the fact that they’re female and similarly, Disney Princesses are reduced to the fact that they’re Princesses and some people won’t look past the tiaras on their heads.

But why are people so adamant that Disney Princesses can’t be strong characters for people to look up to? Society let’s children dress up as their favourite Princesses but why are some people so intent on drawing the line here? Why aren’t children – boys and girls alike – allowed to say that Tiana or Rapunzel are their idols? Why is this something that is laughable?

All of the Disney Princesses have their own characteristics and personality traits that make them who they are. From bravery, courageousness, kindness, standing up for what you believe in, fighting for what’s right to having a good heart – they each offer various different attributes that are inspiring and I know that I would definitely want my children looking up to one day. Just because they’re “animated princesses” does not make the messages they teach any less important.

 It’s time that we remember that females aren’t any less important because of their differences. It’s time that we encourage society to celebrate the differences women behold – and this includes Disney Princesses.