Damsel in distress, as defined by google: a young woman in trouble (with the implication that the woman needs to be rescued, as by a prince in a fairy tale). As I picture a “damsel in distress”, I imagine a beautiful young lady in a silken ballgown falling to the ground as she sobs over her latest misfortune, passively awaiting someone, hopefully a handsome prince, to come and fix her problems. Coincidentally, this very scenario reoccurs many times throughout Disney films, whether she is locked within the castle walls, or elsewhere, the only reasonable reaction is throwing a fit. (See below).
For little girls everywhere, one of the first role models she is exposed to is the Princess in fairy tales, those very same fairy tales that are included in the google definition from above. The female protagonist of Disney films, or the damsel in distress, is who young girls look up to and idolize. As stereotypical gender roles and norms are consistently portrayed throughout the evolution of the Disney princess, such as women falling down and weeping, it leads children to normalize and internalize these behaviors. In turn, forming a connection to their concepts of socially acceptable behavior and morality.
In the early days of Disney, icons such as Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Sleeping Beauty, represent the first wave of Disney princess. This type of princess is the most glaringly stereotyped into traditional feminine roles. “Through physical, social, and behavioral attributes, a male dominated society is depicted as the word “woman” is made synonymous with “victim”.” (Maity 28)¹. Physically, these female leads all possess the same traits. “…Extremely pale skin tones, small waists, delicate limbs, and full breasts.”(Collier-Meek, Melissa A., et al. 556)². This unrealistic depiction of women leads a young audience to develop an ideal of the “perfect woman” and causes self esteem problems later on in life. A recent study shows that girls with lower self esteem often engage with princess material more often, seeking out role models they believe to be beautiful. (McBride)³. Socially, princesses were cast in the role of simple minded caregiver or homemaker, often depicting scenes of domestic activity and passive behavior. For example, Cinderella cleans up after her step-family or domesticated Snow White cooks and sings for the Seven Dwarfs. These doe eyed ladies often merely portrayed a docile, simple-minded, and nurturing role in their story lines.
As little girls everywhere sang “Someday My Prince will Come”, they were taught a very narrow ideal about female sexuality and marriage. If women behave and do their assigned duties (cooking, cleaning, nurturing), some day a handsome man will sweep them off their feet so they may instead live as a pretty object, with marriage acting as the only goal in life for a woman. However, the standard of marriage is limited to heterosexual, white individuals. Reflecting the societal ideal at the time, two out of three Princesses spent a significant portion of their climax in a death-like coma, only to be finally awoken at the end by their prince. (Whelan 24)4. This signifies the passive role women were expected to play and how they fit within the social hierarchy. The plot never deviates, the hero defeats the villain and collects his prize: the beautiful maiden.
Gender Inequality in Disney Films 