My Problem With Disney

I need to preface this with a few things.

1. I LOVE Disney. I go with my family almost every other year. I've dressed up as Disney characters for Halloween. I can recite almost any Disney song word for word. 

2. I think I'm just a little bit of a Feminist (but I hate how the word "Feminism" has such an irritable, negative connotation.) Girls are strong. We don't need a man. Yes, I'm one of those people that doesn't want to change her last name when I get married. Why should I?

3. I'm not a critical person. In fact, I try to be overly accepting of everyone and understanding of where they are coming from.

With all of that said, I think Disney made one mistake... over and over.

Disney made girls seem helpless and completely dependent on men. What's with all the "Damsel in Distress" Princesses who are waiting for the prince's kiss to wake them up or end the spell. 

Take Snow White, for example. She was silly enough to take something from a strange. And what was the only cure? A kiss from a man, of course. 

Then think about Cinderella. What did she even know about the prince before going to the ball? Why was he so desirable - because he was called a "prince"?

Sleeping Beauty. No explanation necessary.

Jasmine needed Aladdin to come rescue her.

Come on, guys. 

What I'm getting at is what these films did for girls of the 90's. We grew up watching princesses being saved by princes and began to expect the same treatment. Although chivalry is important, women do not need to be saved. Though getting roses is nice, we should not expect it. Girls need to have "a clue", stop doing stupid things, getting themselves in trouble, and then expecting a guy to be there to save the day.

Disney finally caught on (in my opinion, too many years late) and started making movies with strong female leads. Mulan. Tiana from the Princess and the Frog. These girls are good role models for little girls. 

And there you have it. I'm finished with my brief rant.