Disney Princesses Impact on Your Child’s Self-Image

Disney Princesses Impact on Your Child's Self-Image

The Impact of Disney Princesses on Children’s Self-Image and Play Behavior

For parents worried about how Disney princesses might impact their child’s self-image, a new study is saying, “Let it go.” Contrary to popular beliefs, the study found that Disney princesses have a positive influence on children’s body esteem and play behavior.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, aimed to understand how the body size of Disney princesses affects children’s body esteem and gendered play behavior. The researchers analyzed both the oldest and newest generations of princesses and categorized them as thin, average, or above average/heavy body sizes.

Surprisingly, the study found that children who favored princesses with average body sizes, such as Moana, had higher body esteem a year later and were more open to different types of gendered play, regardless of their own gender. On the other hand, children who preferred thin princesses did not show significant changes in body image or play behavior.

According to Jane Shawcroft, the doctoral student researcher involved in the study, gendered play is an essential aspect of children’s development. Girls tend to engage in more gentle and emotional play, while boys lean towards rough-and-tumble and less emotional play. By embracing both types of play, children develop a broader range of skills.

The research included 340 children and their caregivers who were part of an ongoing study called Project M.E.D.I.A, which explores the impact of entertainment on children’s development. Caregivers were asked about their children’s body satisfaction and their preference for traditionally masculine or feminine play at ages 3 and 4.

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The researchers discovered that Elsa from Frozen was the clear favorite, followed by Moana. However, they noted that these preferences might be influenced by the popularity of these characters due to recent releases. With 137.7 million households subscribing to Disney+ in 2022, families have equal access to all Disney princesses, including Pocahontas, Belle, Mulan, Jasmine, Tiana, and Merida.

Interestingly, the way children engaged in make-believe princess play also played a role. Pretending to be a character like Moana instead of Cinderella led to more active play, which benefits children’s physical health.

Dr. Benjamin Nwosu, a pediatric endocrinologist at Northwell Health, emphasized the importance of media showcasing active characters to combat childhood obesity. By providing active role models, media can positively impact children’s physical well-being.

However, the study does have some limitations, including a lack of racial diversity and analyzing toddler behavior solely through the perspectives of their parents. Additionally, the overrepresentation of Elsa and Moana as favorites may skew the findings.

Despite these limitations, Dr. Victor Fornari, a child psychiatrist from Northwell Health, stresses the significance of studying the influence of media on children. He highlights that media, including social media, has a powerful impact on children’s behavior, and understanding these influences is crucial.

In conclusion, the study challenges the notion that Disney princesses have a negative impact on children’s self-image. The findings indicate that favoring princesses with average body sizes can enhance children’s body esteem and promote more diverse and inclusive play behavior. While there are limitations to the study, it serves as a starting point for further exploration of media’s impact on children’s well-being.

Sources:

• Jane Shawcroft, PhD student, Department of Communications, University of California, Davis
• Dr. Benjamin Nwosu, MD, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Chief of Endocrinology, Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
• Dr. Victor Fornari, MD, Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Professor at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
• Published Online in Psychology of Popular Media, August 24, 2023
• Common Sense Media for more on children’s viewing habits.