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Ho Chi Minh National University


University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of English Linguistics and Literature


COURSE: POPULAR CULTURE

A RESEARCH ON HO CHI MINH


CITY TEENAGERS’ PERCEPTION
OF GENDER ROLE IN DISNEY
CHANNEL

Instructor : Phan Thị Kim Loan, M.A.


Students : Group 4

Trương Võ Hoàng An 0771007


Nguyễn Ngọc Diễm 0771039
Bùi Ngọc Diễm Châu 0771296
Châu Chiêu Bình 0771025
Nhan Kiết Lệ 0771107
Phạm Thị Thu Hà 0771060

Ho Chi Minh City


December, 2010
Popular Culture Research Group 4

ABSTRACT

Group 4 (2010): “A Research on Hồ Chí Minh City Teenagers’

Perception of Gender Role in Disney Channel” - A Research Project for

the course Popular Culture

In recent years, Disney Channel has grown more and more popular among

teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City. Since teenagers are in the stage of life when they are

developing their own sense of identity, they are vulnerable and easily influenced by the

media. Therefore, our research paper aims to figure out how HCMC teenagers perceive

gender role from Disney Channel.

First, through analyzing Disney Channel text in terms of physical appearance,

behavioral traits, romantic involvements, family structure and practices, and

socioeconomic status of characters of both sexes from Disney Channel program, we

explore the messages of gender role conveyed in the shows that are currently very

popular to the youth worldwide.

Then, based on the survey that we conduct among teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City,

we find out how actively teenagers in HCMC engage in perceiving gender role

stereotypes shown on Disney Channel and examine how teenagers in HCMC respond to

messages of gender role in Disney Channel.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Phan

Thi Kim Loan, our supervisor, whose encouragement, guidance and support from the

initial to the final stage enabled us to develop the understanding on the subject.

We are also indebted to the teenagers of both sexes in Ho Chi Minh City for their

enthusiastic participations in taking our survey. Their contribution had helped us a great

deal in conducting this research.

Finally, it is an honor of us to send our regards and blessings to our families and

friends who supported us to the completion of the project.

- Group 4

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................ i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................ ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... iii

LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................... v

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................... vii

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

I. Reason for choosing the topic ....................................................................... 1

II. Aims of research ......................................................................................... 1

III. Research methodology ............................................................................... 2

PART 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

I. Disney Channel Overview ............................................................................ 3

II. Social Learning Theory ............................................................................... 7

III. Impact of Media on Adolescents ................................................................ 8

IV. Summary ................................................................................................... 9

PART 3: ANALYSIS ON DISNEY CHANNEL TEXTS

I. Physical Appearance .................................................................................. 11

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II. Behavioral Traits ...................................................................................... 17

III. Romantic Involvement ............................................................................. 22

IV. Family Structure and Practices ................................................................ 24

V. Socioeconomic Status ............................................................................... 29

PART 4: SURVEY ON HO CHI MINH CITY TEENAGERS’ PERCEPTION OF

GENDER ROLE IN DISNEY CHANNEL

I. Physical Appearance .................................................................................. 35

II. Behavioral Traits ...................................................................................... 37

III. Romantic Involvement ............................................................................. 40

IV. Family Structure and Practices ................................................................ 43

V. Socioeconomic Status ............................................................................... 46

PART 5: CONCLUSION ......................................................................................... 47

APPENDIX 1 ........................................................................................................... 50

APPENDIX 2 ........................................................................................................... 52

APPENDIX 3 ........................................................................................................... 56

APPENDIX 4 ........................................................................................................... 60

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 62

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LIST OF FIGURES

1) Snow White’s beauty ........................................................................................... 12

2) Belle’s beauty ...................................................................................................... 12

3) Cinderella’s beauty .............................................................................................. 13

4) Pocahontas’s beauty ............................................................................................. 13

5) Identical Beauty of Disney Princesses .................................................................. 13

6) Miley’s and Lily’s below-average figure .............................................................. 14

7) Sharpay’s “trendy” beauty ................................................................................... 15

8) London’s “trendy” beauty .................................................................................... 15

9) Lily and Raven with beauty ideal of “the girl next door” ...................................... 15

10) Cory’s overweight image ................................................................................... 16

11) Small and skinny brothers Phineas and Ferb ...................................................... 16

12) Tarzan’s muscularity .......................................................................................... 16

13) Mr. Incredible’s muscular figure ........................................................................ 16

14) Phillip’s slender build ........................................................................................ 17

15) Snow White’s domestic, frail and weak trait ...................................................... 17

16) Ariel’s independent and outspoken personality .................................................. 18

17) Belle’s smart and strong-willed characteristic .................................................... 19

18) Hannah Montana’s feminist representation ........................................................ 19

19) Troy’s sporty, cute and muscular trait ................................................................ 21

20) Milo Thatch’s lean and nerdy personality........................................................... 21

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21) Snow White’s Prince and Prince Phillip as rescuers ........................................... 22

22) Love at first sight in Cinderella and High School Musical .................................. 22

23) Perdy as a mother and protector ......................................................................... 25

24) Carey as a mother and protector ......................................................................... 25

25) Bambi’s mother as a caregiver and protector ...................................................... 25

26) Kala as a caregiver and protector........................................................................ 26

27) Kerchak as a controlling and aggressive father ................................................... 26

28) King Triton as a tyranny father........................................................................... 27

29) King Triton as a self-sacrificing father ............................................................... 27

30) Pongo as a nurturing, affectionate and self-sacrificing father.............................. 28

31) Jim and Darling with unequal house chore sharing ............................................. 28

32) The Queen of Hearts with the image of

women as being more powerful than men ........................................................... 28

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LIST OF TABLES

Table A. Career and social position in Disney classical films ................................... 30

Table B. Career and social position in Disney modern films .................................... 31

Table 1. Favorite body shape of female characters ................................................... 35

Table 2. Favorite body shape of male characters ...................................................... 36

Table 3. Favorite behavior pattern of female characters ........................................... 37

Table 4. Favorite behavior pattern of male characters .............................................. 37

Table 5. View on the portrayal of romance in Disney Channel shows ...................... 40

Table 6. View on love at first sight ........................................................................... 40

Table 7. View on the idea of eternal love ................................................................. 41

Table 8. View on the idea of “happily ever after” ..................................................... 41

Table 9. The way boys attract girls ........................................................................... 42

Table 10. The way girls attract boys ......................................................................... 42

Table 11. Preferred family pattern ............................................................................ 43

Table 12. House chores sharing between parents ...................................................... 43

Table 13. Preferred type of father ............................................................................. 44

Table 14. View on female leadership ....................................................................... 46

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PART 1: INTRODUCTION

I - Reason for choosing the topic

Teenagers are people who the most easily get influenced by popular culture.

Worth noticing, they are living in Disney world, in which American teenagers are

vulnerable to the images of gender role in most of Disney programs. The issue alarms us

to put a question on teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City. And this research attempts to give an

answer to it: how Ho Chi Minh City teenagers perceive gender role on Disney Channel.

II - Aims of Research

- To analyze how gender role is portrayed in Disney Channel in terms of physical

appearance, behavioral traits, romantic involvement, family structure and practices,

and socioeconomic status.

- To find out how actively teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City engage in perceiving gender

role stereotypes shown on Disney Channel.

- To examine how teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City respond to messages of gender role in

Disney Channel.

- To help parents and teachers have critical views of gender role portrayed in Disney

Channel so as to provide children and teenagers with guidance in their perception of

gender role.

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 Research Questions:

1. How is gender role described in Disney Channel in terms of physical

appearance and how do HCMC teenagers perceive this?

2. How is gender role described in Disney Channel in terms of behavioral

traits and how do HCMC teenagers perceive this?

3. How is gender role described in Disney Channel in terms of romantic

involvement and how do HCMC teenagers perceive this?

4. How is gender role described in Disney Channel in terms of family

structure and practices and how do HCMC teenagers perceive this?

5. How is gender role described in Disney Channel in terms of socioeconomic

status and how do HCMC teenagers perceive this?

III - Research Methodology

Our research uses qualitative and quantitative methods, which are mainly based on

secondary sources collected from various sources such as previous researches, books,

websites, articles, Disney texts, etc. We also deliver questionnaires to examine Ho Chi

Minh City teenagers’ reception.

- Document review

- Data collecting

- Information synthesis

- Textual analysis

- Personal observation

- Survey analysis and evaluation


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PART 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

I - Disney Channel Overview

Disney Channel belongs to Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group – a division of

Walt Disney Company. As an American television channel, it specializes in television

program for children. However, in recent years, it has grown more and more popular with

older audience. Its program currently includes original series and original movies as well

as programs from other third parties.

1. History1

The history of Disney Channel is divided into four eras:

a. The Beginning (1983 - 1997)

Disney Channel was first launched on April 18, 1983 as a premium channel. At

the beginning, it only aired 16 hours a day. A year later, in April 1984, the channel

increased the program to 18 hours a day. In December 1986, they began to broadcast 24

hours a day.

In 1986, the channel debuted the musical sitcom series Kids Incorporated, which

was a big hit and has become part of the cultural lexicon. The cast of the series included

many young actors that later became stars in both music and acting such as Jennifer Love

Hewitt and Stacy Ferguson (currently known as Fergie of the band The Black Eyed

Peas). In early 1989, The All-New Mickey Mouse Club was launched. This variety

television show immediately became a hit. Like Kids Incorporated, the show also

1
Disney Channel, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 5 Dec. 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Channel>.

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spawned many future stars, among them are Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Justin

Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, etc. By 1995, Disney Channel was seen in more than 8

million households in the United States.

b. The Zoog/Vault Disney Era (1997 - 2002)

In 1997, Disney Channel went from a premium cable channel to an expanded

basic cable and started to gain viewers. During this period, Disney Channel’s original

program included shows like Flash Forward, So Weird, Even Stevens, Kim Possible and

Lizzie McGuire – the show that helped launch the career of Hilary Duff.

c. The Relaunched Era (2002 - 2007)

Disney Channel began to remodel again in September 2002. It reduced the number

of prime time movie from two each night to only one. The channel also stopped

producing drama and reality show to shift focus to live-action comedies and animated

series.

In 2004, Anne Sweeney took control of Disney-ABC Television Group and was

very successful in turning Disney Channel into “the major profit driver in the company”.

By 2008, the Channel “has been adding a million viewers a month—every month—for

the last five years," and has become “the greatest teen-star incubator since the NBA

stopped drafting high schoolers.” Sweeney’s strategy was to “discover, nurture, and

aggressively cross-promote teen music stars whose style and image were carefully

targeted to pre-teenagers and teenagers.” Around the same time, the channel began to

gain more popularity as well as viewers outside its main target audience demographic,

which are preschoolers, pre-teenagers and young adolescents.

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One notable event of Disney Channel in this period was the release of its first

musical made-for-cable movie, The Cheetah Girls, in 2003. The movie received 84

million viewers worldwide and led to the creation of other successful music-themed

programs like the original movie High School Musical and the original series Hannah

Montana. Other successful programs of this era were That’s So Raven (2005) – the

highest-rated series of the network since it became basic cable; the hit original movie

High School Musical in 2006; and in the same year the original series Hannah Montana,

the hit show that launched the career of one of Disney Channel’s biggest stars Miley

Cyrus.

d. The Current Era (2007 - present)

In 2007, Disney Channel reduced the number of original movie and series

premieres to four Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM) and two Disney Channel

Original Series premiering each year. The most successful DCOM in that year was High

School Musical 2, the second movie in the phenomenal trilogy High School Musical,

with 17.2 million viewers.

In 2009, two new series were launched: Sonny with a Chance and JONAS. New

movies in 2009 were: Dadnapped, Hatching Pete, Princess Protection Program, and

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie. These four original movies each starred at least

two stars from Disney Channel's original series. Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

was the highest-rated cable program of 2009 (excluding sporting events) with 11.4

million viewers. The crossover special Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana

(involving Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck and Hannah Montana) was

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also a big hit, beating out its competition on the night of its premiere with 9.1 million

viewers.

In 2010, the channel launched the first original sitcom intentionally targeted at

family audiences, Good Luck Charlie; as well as the final season of Hannah Montana

which was renamed Hannah Montana Forever and the series Jonas L.A.

In the May 2010 Nielsen ratings, Disney Channel ranked #1 for the 63rd

consecutive month in the Kids 6-11 demographic and for the 62nd straight month among

Tweens 9-14. Disney Channel is also the second most watched cable channel during

primetime.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the month of May 2010 had finished as

Disney Channel’s most-watched May in the network's history with an average of 1.5

million viewers among Total Viewers, along with 525,000 viewers with a 2.1 rating share

among Kids 6-11 and 459,000 viewers with a 1.9 rating share among Tweens 6-9; 9-15.

First-run episodes of The Suite Life on Deck, Wizards of Waverly Place and Good Luck

Charlie earned six of television’s top 10 telecasts that month in key child demographics,

with Phineas and Ferb ranked as the #1 animated series on TV among Kids 6-11 and

Tweens 9-14 for that month.

As we can see, more than two decades since it first launch in 1983, Disney

Channel has become the top channel in children and teenagers program. Not only are

their shows popular among young viewers, they are also the stepping stones for many

famous movie and music idols that have great influence on many young people like

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Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, etc. That is the indicators of how

popular and influential Disney Channel is among youngsters.

2. Disney Channel Asia

Disney Channel Asia is a franchise of Disney Channel, broadcasting in most parts

of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam2. In two years since its launch in May 2005, Disney

Channel has increased its Vietnamese subtitling from 10% to 70% of its program and it is

now available in 75% of all pay-TV households.3

II - Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory suggests that individuals may model behavior based on

available role models4. The process of modeling includes several steps. The first step is

attention. Events that are distinctive, positive, simple and prevalent will be more likely to

be modeled. Characteristic of viewers like attention span or their personal preference will

affect their attention. The next step is retention, which is accomplished by “symbolic

coding, cognitive organization, and symbolic rehearsal and enactment.” 5 However, it is

necessary to note that retention does not mean the viewer will reenact the event.

Motivational process and other factors will determine this. To examine the possibility of

the event being carried out, we should understand two types of viewing: instrumental

2
Disney Channel Asia, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 5 Dec. 2010
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Channel_Asia>.
3
Disney Channel Expands Its Audience Reach in Vietnam, Free Online Library, 5 Dec. 2010
<http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Disney+Channel+Expands+Its+Audience+Reach+in+Vietnam.-a0165724076>.
4
Britney Lynn Hibbeler, Exploring representations of masculinity in Disney animated feature films (2009)
11<http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2009-08-7023/HIBBELER-
THESIS.pdf?sequence=1>.
5
Hibbeler 12

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viewing and ritualistic viewing. 6 In instrumental viewing, viewers pragmatically choose

the program and involves in a great degree of selectivity. Since the goal of this type of

viewing is to seek information, viewers will watch Disney film to gain information about

several topics, including gender role. 7 However, ritualistic viewing is concerned with the

entertaining content of the text and it is habitual and mindless. Most of children’s

television viewing is ritualistic. “This consumption of media for pleasure, rather than to

gain information, exposes children to gender stereotyped ideas of what it means to be

masculine and feminine in the form of entertainment, such as the Disney animated feature

films.”8

Social learning theory, therefore, “provides implications for gender performance”

because those who view program with gender stereotype may be more likely to model the

stereotype being viewed. And programs on Disney Channel can provide opportunities for

this process to happen.9 Because of the great popularity of Disney Channel among

teenagers, they may be influenced by ideas of gender on the show and may internalize

and model those ideas.

III - Impact of Media on Adolescents

Nowadays, with the rapid development of technology, media has more and more

influence and plays greater role in the life of adolescents worldwide. Media influence,

however, is not transparent but it is subtle and occurs over a long period of time.

Responsible adults like parents and teachers and even teenagers themselves may not be
6
Hibbeler 13
7
Hibbeler 13
8
Hibbeler 13
9
Hibbeler 14

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aware of the impact that media has. 10 Impact of media on adolescent can be found in

many aspects: teenagers’ ideal of beauty, violence among the youth, sex and drug use,

etc. In this research, we focus on the impact on gender role because “images having to do

with gender strike at the core of individual identity, our understanding of ourselves as

either male or female (socially defined within this society at this time) is central to our

understanding of who we are”11. The impact on this front is greater in adolescent because

they are still “in the process of learning their values and roles and developing their self-

concepts”12. In addition, they are also under the pressure of their peers, making it even

more difficult for them to resist the dominant message “perpetuated and reinforced by the

media.” All things considered, it is important to analyze the images of gender role

presented in popular cultural texts and find out how teenagers interpret and respond to

them.

IV – Summary

To summarize, teenage years are the time when people are most vulnerable to the

influences and pressure around them since they have yet to develop their own identity.

Among those influences is the message conveyed in the media, especially messages

concerning the ideal of genders. As suggested in the social learning theory, teenagers’

favorite TV characters may become some kind of role model to them and they will watch

and learn from those characters. Since Disney Channel is very popular worldwide, its

10
Victor C Strasburger, Children, Adolescents, and the Media, Current Problem in Pediatric and Adolescent Health
Care (California: Sage Publications, Inc., 2002) 54.
11
Sut Jhally, Image-Based Culture: Advertising and Popular Culture, The World and I, Jul. 1990, 506-519.
12
Jean Kilbourne, The More You Subtract, the More You Add - Cutting Girls Down to Size, Can't Buy My Love:
How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel. Available at
<http://www.aef.com/industry/news/data/hot_issues/1361>.

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characters are more likely to become youngsters’ role models. For that reason, we

conduct this research to see what messages conveyed in Disney Channel shows and how

teenagers in Ho Chi Minh understand and respond to those messages.



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PART 3: ANALYSIS ON DISNEY CHANNEL TEXTS

As proved by many well-known scholars and experts,13 the media have a very

important impact on people’s perception, specifically of gender role. And Disney

Channel is not an exception. In fact, more and more researches, articles and essays have

recently paid attention to how Disney influences its viewers’ understanding as well as

whether it produces good or bad effects on them. 14 In terms of physical appearance,

behavioral traits, romantic involvement, family structure and practices, and

socioeconomic status, this part is to make an analysis on Disney Channel texts regarding

gender role.

I - Physical Appearance

Concerning gender role, it is important to mention people’s perception of their

physical appearance. In fact, “physical appearance is, in and of itself, an important part of

the gender stereotype.” 15 According to Hesse-Biber and Carger, “gender is determined

socially; it is the societal meaning assigned to male and female.” 16 For this reason,

different expectations of physical appearance are also generated regarding femininity and

masculinity. This part, therefore, will provide us a detailed analysis on images of male
13
Such as Douglas Kellner, Jean Kilbourne, Daniel Chandler, etc. with their various books, articles and essays
regarding this topic.
<http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/TF33120/gendertv.html#A>
<http://gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/>
<http://jeankilbourne.com/>.
14
Christopher Wiegering Gianoli, Are Disney Movies a Negative Influence?, Associated Content, 1 Nov. 2008, 5
Dec. 2010
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1142336/are_disney_movies_a_negative_influence_pg2.html?cat=9>.
15
K. Deaux and L.L. Lewis, Structure of gender stereotypes: Interrelationships among components and gender
label, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, (1984) 991–1004.
16
S. Hesse-Biber and G.L. Carger, Working women in America: Split dreams (New York: Oxford University Press,
2000) 91.

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and female characters physically portrayed in Disney programs, thereby helping us in

examining the expectations of gender in terms of physical appearance produced by

Disney Channel.

First of all, it is crucial to discuss about female beauty defined by Disney

programs, which is clearly shown in classical Disney animated movies. As a matter of

fact, almost all the females are praised for their appearance or physical beauty, as stated

by Stacy and Crystal, they are “valued for their appearance.”17 Cinderella, Sleeping

Beauty, Ariel, Snow White and other Disney main female characters are almost portrayed

by Disney to be beautiful and attractive fairy tale princesses. While Snow White’s beauty

is a response to her mother’s wish and is told by the mirror on the wall,

“Queen: Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?

Mirror: Famed is thy beauty, majesty. Behold, a lovely maid I see. Rags cannot

hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is more fair than thee.

Queen: Alas for her, reveal her name.

Mirror: Lips red as the rose. Hair black as ebony. Skin white as snow.”18

(See Figure 1 in Appendix 1)

Belle is supposed to be attractive to the people around her like Gaston. In other

words, being “slender, [having] both brown hair and eyes, fair skin, blue and white

peasant dress with a white apron, blue bow in her hair, black shoes, […] yellow ball

17
Stacy L. Smith and Crystal Allene Cook, Gender Stereotypes: An Analysis of Popular Films and TV, The Geena
Davis Institute on Gender in Media (2008) 16.
18
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dir. William Cottrell et al, Walt Disney Productions, 1937.

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gown which shows her breast cleavage,” 19 (see Figure 2 in Appendix 1) she has so strong

an attraction to Gaston that he many times tries to win her over.

Moreover, if with her slim figure, blond hair, blue eyes and fair skin, Cinderella

deserves the love of Prince Charming and the happy life in the palace, 20 (see Figure 3 in

Appendix 1) then it is also notable that Pocahontas’s “slender figure, black hair, brown

eyes, fairly tan skin”21 (see Figure 4 in Appendix 1) gives her two love involvements; one

is with John Smith, the other is with John Rolfe. However, no matter how differently

their beauty is described (with different skin, eye and hair color, etc.,) they are all young

ladies and have the same body figure - that is thin. In truth, despite their different

appearances, they have one thing in common – being “always stunningly beautiful,

[having] petite and slender build and evidently extreme youth.” 22 With the same body

image, they all have the beauty of disposition according to Disney, as if they “go hand in

hand” together. 23 (See Figure 5 in Appendix 1)

In addition, the fact that the identical image of thinness is repeated from one main

female character to another and that it is considered beauty ideal gives an affirmation, as

Jean Kilbourne stated in many of her articles and essays on the influences of the media on

adolescents, of the so-called “obsession with thinness,” and that “thin is beautiful.”24 In

19
Belle, Disney Wiki, 5 Dec. 2010 <http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Belle>.
20
Cinderella, Disney Wiki, 5 Dec. 2010 <http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Cinderella_%28character%29>.
21
Pocahontas, Disney Wiki, 5 Dec. 2010 <http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Pocahontas_%28character%29>.
22
Mary, My answers to an interesting Fairy Tale Princess Survey, Psyched Out, 7 Jan. 2009, 5 Dec. 2010
<http://psychedoutsw.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-answers-to-interesting-fairy-tale.html>.
23
Kim Hongsook, The Structure and Reconstruction of Marriage Scenarios in Picture Books for Children – A
Comparative Study of Fairy Tales and Feminist Tales [Part 2 of 2], Women’s Studies Forum 01021793 (1997)
138-147, 141.
24
Kilbourne

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fact, the idea that “beauty is good” is reinforced through verbal messages to thin

characters.25 Furthermore, Disney viewers, especially children and teenagers, are

considered to be vulnerable to this influence; as a result, the beauty ideal as being thin

seems normal to not only young girls but also males, adults and even the society. As a

twelve year-old boy once said, Cinderella is beautiful because she “is skinny and has

blonde hair.”26 Or as a female sharing about her childhood,

“When I was little I made my mommy or daddy read me Cinderella every single

night. I want to be a princess - a skinny one.”27

Additionally, it is shown by textual analysis of Disney programs that “body size

and beauty ideal messages [have been] analyzed, with results suggesting that the thin,

white beauty ideal that is present in adult program is also alive and well in program for a

younger audience.”28 That is to say, people are obsessed with thinness and that thin

beauty ideal is normalized in people’s mind and perception from the early age. In fact, it

is found that the supermajority of female characters were thin, while very few were

heavy. 29 Female characters that are not to be praised by their beautiful appearance, Miley

and Lily in Hannah Montana for example, are also portrayed as “below average” in spite

25
Temple Northup and Carol Liebler, The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful: Beauty Ideals on the Disney and
Nickelodeon Channels, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association,
Marriott, Chicago, IL. (2009) Available at
<http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/9/9/1/1/pages299114/p299114-1.php>.
26
Debbie Mead, Fairy Tale Females: What Three Classics Tell Us About Women, Survey of Three Sixth Grade
Classes at University Park Elementary School, Salinas, CA. 25-28 Feb. 2002.
27
Skinny Me, Cinderella Skinny, 5 Dec. 2010 <cinderellaskinny.tumblr.com/>.
28
Northup
29
B. Silverstein, L. Perdue, B. Peterson and L. Kelly, The role of mass media in promoting a thin standard of bodily
attractiveness for women, Sex Roles, Vol. 14, Nos. 9/10, 1986, 519-532.

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of their stronger and healthier figure compared with the weak and gentle beauty of fairy

tale princesses. (See Figure 6 in Appendix 1) This actually even reinforces adolescent

girls’ obsession with thinness because of the fact that they are of the same age and in the

same period of time as compared to the princesses and adult models in a magazine.

Besides, it is also worth noticing that in modern Disney programs supposedly

beautiful females are also described as being sexy or sexually attractive. They are

considered to be “trendy,” that is, the “ditz” of the group, preoccupied with appearance,

wearing the latest of clothing, and usually obsessed with boys.30 An example for this type

of beautiful females is Sharpay in High school Musical. She is always wearing the most

fashionable clothes, good-looking in her appearance (see Figure 7 in Appendix 1) and

trying to steal Troy – a popular basketball boy - away from Gabriella, his girlfriend.

Moreover, London in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is other example for this kind of

beauty. This is a very rich girl with an extreme obsession with boys. In addition, other

kind of beauty ideal is “the girl next door.” This is a girl who is not overly-stylized or

concerned with fashion, but still manages to always look “cute” and draw the attraction

of boys – she is, perhaps, unaware of her beauty.31 Lily in Hannah Montana (see Figure 6

in Appendix 1) and Raven in That’s So Raven are some examples for this type.

Anyway, no matter how they are aware of their beauty, Disney females are all

supposed to be thin. As a matter of fact, from the fairy tale princesses to the modern-time

30
Northup
31
Northup

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

famous star like Hannah Montana, the image of their beauty does not break out of the

obsession with thinness.

Regarding physical appearance, just as femininity is defined by the beauty of

Disney females, male characters in Disney shows also contribute to produce the image of

masculinity. While characters that are overweight like Cory (see Figure 8 in Appendix 1)

in Cory in the house or small and skinny like Phineas and Ferb (see Figure 9 in Appendix

1) in the movie series of the same name are approved by Disney audience for their

humorous words and behaviors serving for entertainment, their body figure is not what

Disney’s portrayal of male beauty ideal. However, what is considered masculinity in

terms of physical appearance must show either physical strength or fitness.

First, the body figure showing physical strength appears to be a typical element in

Disney’s building male image. In fact, being powerful physically is related to the main

role of Disney males; that is, they are characterized to be protective and assertive. (We

will have more detailed discussion on this in the part of Disney traits.) According to

Hibbeler’s statistics, good characters (37%) are more likely to display physical strength

than evil (18.3%) and neutral (26.7%) ones. 32 This also implies that to be a good man,

males should first have physical strength.

To put it this way, males are not necessarily required to be muscular as long as

they are physically strong enough. For example, beside the characters with visible

muscles like Tarzan (see Figure 10 in Appendix 1) in Tarzan and Mr. Incredible (see

32
Hibbeler 53

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Figure 11 in Appendix 1) in The Incredibles, Phillip the Prince (see Figure 12 in

Appendix 1) from Sleeping Beauty also shows his physical power while he is described

as being slender and fit. In fact, “the prince is not overweight and wears clothing that

clearly displays his physical build. He has a frame that is of average size. He is tall and

slender.”33

As seen, while females in Disney Channel are portrayed to be thin, which is

considered to be beautiful, Disney males are required to have physically strong figure.

All of these not only express the gender expectations in terms of physical appearance but

also give us a message for behaviors regarding gender shown in Disney that is discussed

in the next part.

II - Behavioral Traits

Regarding gender role, Disney Channel is widely considered to set boundaries for

American set of values, perceptions, preferences and behaviors through a process of

creating a dynamic system teenage models. The earliest and most loved Disney animated

role models such as Snow white, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have stereotyped girls

as “weak,” “emotional,” “passive,” “frail,” “domestic” and “troublesome.”34 In Disney

films, while the basic traits of femininity are to be obedient, quiet and beautiful, it is

crucial they have constant attention of male characters. Being ultimately subordinate to

males is vital for all the princesses in these classic tales. The codes of behavior for

33
Hibbeler 53
34
Amanda Yerby, Samantha Baron, Youjin Lee, Gender roles in Disney Animation, History of Animation,
Assignment 1, Part 4, Website Collaborative Content Available at
<http://www.american.edu/soc/film/upload/Gender-Roles-in-Disney.pdf>.

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

women imposed by males are the reason for this moral illness. It is, therefore, an attack

against women since these values have proposed and advocated the false idea of social

degradation of women.

However, if we analyze Disney females’ set of behaviors through timeline, gender

roles do progress with changes. Their successors, Jasmine in Aladdin, Ariel in The Little

Mermaid, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and Mulan for instance, have

become more independent and free-spirited, although their main purpose in life

consistently focuses on husband-searching-journey. One of the first pioneering princesses

is Ariel from The Little Mermaid. While her sisters are more complying with her father’s

wishes, she is expressive and quick to speak her mind. Belle is another example of

breakthrough role model during the 1990s.

“Belle: What do you know about my dreams, Gaston?

Gaston: Plenty! Here, picture this: A rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill

roasting on the fire, and my little wife massaging my feet, while the little ones

play on the floor with the dogs. We'll have six or seven.

Belle: Dogs?

Gaston: No, Belle! Strapping boys, like me!

Belle: Imagine that.

Gaston: Say you'll marry me!

Belle: I'm very sorry, Gaston...”35

35
Beauty and the Beast, Dir. Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, Walt Disney Pictures, 1991.

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The lines above portray a smart and independent Belle whose primal ideal of life

is learning. While Gaston tries to convince her into marriage by opening up a peaceful

prospect with strapping boys, a rustic hunting lodge, Belle pictures her future differently.

In other words, she will not exchange her independence in return of wealth. She is the

first female character who does not desperately try to find a future husband. This

characteristic makes her one of the earliest representatives of feminism in Disney world.

The revolutionary traits demonstrating by Ariel and Belle have also freed the other

princesses such as Mulan, Jasmine, Pocahontas and the upcoming non-animated teenage

models from “dominant male – submissive female” stereotype. Female characters start

demanding to be liberated from the male dominant society. The combination of

traditional and other opposite traits like being smart, witted and fun loving, as a result,

has “opened an era for militant feminism in more than one way.” 36 In the 21st century,

the type of female leading roles - Hannah Montana, Kim Possible, Elastic Girl in The

Incredibles, Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place, etc. - which is introduced as down-

to-earth, playful, free-spirited, and self-learnt, has discarded thoroughly notions of

remaining submissive traits in the previous Disney princesses. Hannah Montana TV

series is one of the most successful teen franchise so far when “the movie grossed $29

million” regardless to “a production budget of less than $7 million.” 37 Best of Both

Worlds show reached media popularity because the female character, Hannah Montana,

36
Ginette Castro, American feminism: A contemporary History, Feminism and the Law, (New York: NYU Press,
1990) 233.
37
Mary Barabe, Will Hannah Montana Forever be a Successful End to the Franchise? NeBusiness, 22 Nov. 2010, 5
Dec. 2010.
<http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/special-features/2010/11/22/will-hannah-montana-forever-be-a-
successful-end-to-the-franchise-51140-27694099/>.

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

is capable of “[harvesting] the fruits of the battles fought by liberal feminists in the 1960s

and 1970s.”38 The other characters from different Disney TV series are also outspoken,

hence represent the feminist world – i.e. an average girl can achieve success through their

talent and dedication without the presence of male.

Disney Channel has endeavored to erase gender distinction through the process of

shaping female’s traits. Nonetheless, Disney male leading role seems to make less

progressed as opposed to female characters in terms of behavioral norms. To some

extent, princes from the classic tales (i.e. Phillip in Sleeping Beauty, The Prince in Snow

White and the Seven Dwarfs, Prince Charming in Cinderella), upgraded modern princes

(i.e. Eric in The Little Mermaid, Prince Adam in Beauty and the Beast), the cartoon male

leading roles in the 90s (i.e. Tarzan, Li Shang in Mulan) and even teenage models in non-

animated movies and TV shows (i.e. Izzy Daniels in Jump in) fell desperately into the

same category. These male characters “have been more prominent and portrayed as more

likely to have a recognizable job, more independent, assertive, intelligent, athletic,

important, competent, technical, confident, responsible, and stronger than female

characters.”39 The song “I’ll make a man out of you” introducing on screen through an

animated movie Mulan has somehow summed up all the values of being a man in Disney.

“We must be swift as the coursing river

(Be a man)

With all the force of a great typhoon

38
Anne Glass, Is Hannah Montana Really Such a Great Model? Socioquest, 29 Jul. 2009, 5 Dec. 2010
<http://www.groundreport.com/Opinion/Is-Hannah-Montana-Really-Such-a-Great-Role-Model/2904661>.
39
Yerby

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

(Be a man)

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon.”40

Another example is Troy, in High School Musical trilogy hit. At first glance, he

appears to be an odd-one-out since he is fond of singing and dancing, a supposedly

feminine trait, instead of being a basketball player, a supposedly masculine trait.

Unfortunately, his other prominent traditional characteristics like being sporty, cute and

muscular have made this positive side seemingly unaffected to gender revolution.

Audience preference also contributes to create gender gap in Disney Channel. Had

the audience kept stereotyping them, male characters in Disney movies would not be able

to free themselves from masculinity’s values. There obviously exist other types of male

characteristics trying to get their images on screen. Predictably, the products will not be

sold well in the market considering with movies featuring traditional male behavioral

traits. In other words, having less attractive masculine characteristics equals bankruptcy.

For example, the animated movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire whose hero, Milo Thatch, is

particularly lean and nerdy managed to “make [only] approximately $85 million dollars

in its theatrical run,”41 - an undesirable result when the animation was assumed to be well

marketed. Other shows such as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Wendy Wu:

Homecoming Warrior, Minutemen feature men lacking of manly charm. Unsurprisingly,

they are also less popular than ones featuring traditional males.

40
Mulan, Dir. Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, Walt Disney Feature Animation, 1998.
41
Atlantis: The Lost Empire, WorldLingo, 5 Dec. 2010
<http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Atlantis%3A_The_Lost_Empire>.

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It is apparent that behaviors of the two genders portrayed in Disney movies are

completely opposite regarding to their roles. While gender role in Disney Channel has

managed to reduce its gap through the upgraded portrayal of female behaviors, male set

of conducts has not achieved great success so far.

III - Romantic Involvement

Analyzing the ideas of gender role in Disney Channel, the research also examines

the characters’ romantic involvement. Actually, romance is one of the prominent themes

portrayed in Disney Channel. Taking a close observation, we will see that it is a special

key which is used by Disney to develop characters’ emotions. Therefore, the idea of

romantic love in these programs is always exaggerated. For instance, the Prince’s kiss in

Snow White and Seven Dwarfs saves the princess’s life. Still with a kiss, the princess one

more time is saved by Prince Phillip in Sleeping Beauty. Male characters in those films

are shown as rescuers; meanwhile, female characters are the ones who are rescued. Also,

through the films, it is obvious that girls and young women are willing to throw

themselves into marriage. In Disney Channel fairy tales, marriage opens the door to

luxurious life of the princesses, which is hard to find in their single life. And those

magical elements help to push romance into a situation in which females are subservient

to males.

“Love at first sight” is also a key concept in Disney films. Frankly, Disney films

provide little information about how couples maintain their relationships but only focus

on creating romantic love which people consider “a blink of love.” The relationship

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between Cinderella and the Prince in Cinderella is an example. Without spending much

time getting to know each other, they willingly fall in love. Not only in fairy tales but

also in modern movies do characters of the opposite sexes involve in love at the very first

time. Their love does not start with a kiss but with merely an intimate look; they fall

heads over heels and cannot help thinking of one another.

This kind of love is unwavering under any circumstances. Although Troy is

constantly hit on by Sharpay, he keeps his unchanging love for Gabriella. Besides, there

are many other characters who are faithful to their partners. They believe that with this

undying love, they can have a happy ending and live happily ever after.

One more thing concerned about romance in Disney films is the “attackers” and

how they attract their objects of affection. In Disney movies, men are almost always in

active position. That is why men usually make the first move in the relationship.

However, there are some exceptions. Sharpay in High School Musical clearly expresses

her determination to win Troy’s heart. It shows a shift in the way of winning the opposite

sexes’ hearts of characters conveyed in Disney Channel. No matter what one’s sex is, he

or she can start the campaign to win one’s love first as long as they are attractive. In fact,

there is a “belief that physical appearance is the most important thing when entering an

intimate relationship”42 and that “women use good looks to get a man.” 43 Ariel in The

Little Mermaid is a very clear example for using beauty to win Eric’s heart. The character

42
L.R. Tanner, S.A. Haddock and T.S. Zimmerman, Images of Couples and Families in Disney Feature-length
Animated Films, The American Journal of Family Therapy, 31, 368.
43
Theresa Tonn, Disney’s Influence on Females Perception of Gender and Love, A Research Paper Submitted in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Science Degree, Dec. 2008, 13.

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Ursula in the film tries to convince Ariel that “you got your looks, your pretty face, and

do not underestimate the importance of body language!” 44 In modern films, we can see

that most of girls and boys also have good appearance and with this appearance, they

easily find the one to love such as Troy Bolton, Hannah Montana and Alex Russo.

IV - Family Structure and Practices

When it comes to the display of gender role in family structure and practices

depicted in Disney Channel movies and shows, there are four main points to discuss.

Namely, they are the presence of parents, image of mothers, image of fathers and power

division in family.

First and foremost, it can be seen that there are movies in which both parents are

included and the ones in which only one parent is presented. Specifically, in some classic

animated movies such as Bambi, Peter Pan or Tarzan, both mothers and fathers are

represented. Nonetheless, fathers in those movies only play a minor role while mothers

are portrayed as major in family. For instance, in the night when Bambi was born, his

mother presented him to all the animals in the forest while his father stood in the

mountain and he kept the distance until Bambi’s mother was killed.

On the other hand, Disney animated movies and live–action shows also present

only one parent; and in such cases, it is a matter of fact that single fathers are illustrated

more than single mothers. In particular, those single fathers are shown in Beauty and the

Beast, Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, Hannah Montana, etc. Accordingly, the presence of
44
The Little Mermaid, Dir. Ron Clements and John Musker, Walt Disney Pictures, 1989.

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parents in Disney movies and shows suggests that fathers are only required to take care of

children when mothers are not able to do so. As a result, this can put a negative effect on

both male and female youngsters’ beliefs about fathers’ relationships with and

responsibilities to children.

Second, image of mothers in Disney movies and shows is depicted in three

different patterns. At first, mothers are portrayed as primary caregivers who are

automatically attached to children and give unconditional love to them. To illustrate,

Wendy in Peter Pan describes a mother as “someone who loves and cares for you.” 45 In
46
addition, “there would be no problem with the mother thanks to the maternal instinct,”

said panther Bagheera in The Jungle Book when he found Mowgli and decided to bring

the human baby to a pair of wolves with the belief that the baby would be safe there.

Next, Disney’s image of mothers as protectors is also common in animated

movies. For example, Perdy, the female dog in 101 Dalmatians was very dynamic during

the process of saving her puppies from the men kidnapping them. Similarly, in the sitcom

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, the twins’ mother Carey usually protects them from

troubles with Mr. Moseby – the hotel’s manager whenever they cause a new mess with

their jokes.

Likewise, image of mothers as both caregivers and protectors is depicted in

Disney movies such as Bambi and Tarzan. To be specific, Bambi’s mother was not only

45
Mark I. Pinsky, The Gospel according to Disney: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust, (Kentucky: Westminster John
Knox Press, 2004) 62.
46
Pinsky 89

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in charge of raising him but also responsible for protecting him from danger until she

died. In the meantime, the female gorilla Kala gave Tarzan all her love and care.

Moreover, she kept him safe from the hatred of other gorilla in the jungle and from the

tiger.

In short, although being portrayed in three different patterns, the image of mothers

in Disney animated movies and sitcoms has fell into a stereotype in which mothers

always appear as close, caring, and tender to children.

Turning to the portrayal of fathers in Disney movies and shows, it can be seen that

they are depicted in three images which are the controlling, aggressive, discipline-

practicing father; the nurturing and affectionate one; and last but not least, the self-

sacrificing one. In the first place, Kerchak the gorilla in Tarzan is an illustration for those

controlling, aggressive and discipline-practicing fathers. In truth, he ensures that all the

gorillas are under his control and only accepted Tarzan as one of his children until Tarzan

proved that he was worthy:

“Kerchak: I said he could stay. That doesn't make him my son.

[…]

Tarzan: Kerchak, forgive me.

Kerchak: No. Forgive me, for not understanding that you have always been

one of us. Our family will look to you now.

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Tarzan: No. Kerchak.

Kerchak: Take care of them, my son. Take care of them." 47

Another example for a controlling and aggressive father can be found in The Little

Mermaid. As regards Ariel’s absence in the celebration concert of her father to go up to

the surface, King Triton expressed his anger on her:

Triton: They're dangerous. Do you think I want to see my youngest daughter

snared by some fish eater's hook?

Ariel: I'm sixteen years old - I'm not a child anymore...

Triton: Don't you take that tone of voice with me young lady. As long as you

live under my ocean, you'll obey my rules! 48

Meanwhile, the display of fathers as nurturing and affectionate can be traced from

Disney animated movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, or 101 Dalmatians,

etc. In details, Belle’s father in Beauty and the Beast always supports her in her desire of

reading books and her refusal of marrying Gaston although he is the most-wanted man in

town. Similarly, Pongo always shows his tender care to the puppies in 101 Dalmatians,

and so does Gepetto to Pinocchio in the same-title movie.

Besides, fathers in Disney movies and shows are portrayed as self-sacrificing as

well. Indeed, they are seen sacrificing themselves to save their own children from danger.

Specifically, King Triton in The Little Mermaid signed the contract with Ursula to take

47
Tarzan, Dir. Chris Buck and Kevin Lima, Walt Disney Pictures, 1999.
48
The Little Mermaid, Dir. Ron Clements and John Musker, Walt Disney Pictures, 1989.

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his daughter’s place in the sea witch’s garden after Ariel had failed to gain Prince Eric’s

love. In the meantime, Gepetto in Pinocchio took the risk to sail the ocean and face a

fierce whale to save his boy.

In brief, there is a variety in Disney’s portrayal of fathers from the controlling,

aggressive to the nurturing, affectionate and self-sacrificing ones.

When it comes to power division in family, two patterns of Disney are unequal

power division and shared power. The former is displayed in some animated movies such

as Lady and the Tramp, Bambi, The Lion King and Alice in Wonderland whereas the

latter is depicted in 101 Dalmatians and the live-action show Wizards of Waverly Place.

In details, there is an unequal division in household chores between Jim and Darling in

Lady and the Tramp. Truly, there was a scene in which Darling prepared the meal when

Jim sat in the living room reading newspapers. Likewise, Bambi’s mother was in charge

of raising, teaching and protecting him while his father kept a distance and not until the

mother was dead did he appear. Interestingly, there is only one movie in which the

female character was identified as more powerful than her male partner. In fact, the

Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland was the leading character who had more power

than the King and the King was presented as a weak man.

Meanwhile, some illustrations of shared power between males and females can be

seen in 101 Dalmatians and Wizards of Waverly Place. In the first example, it is obvious

that Pongo and Perdy share an equal responsibility in taking care of all the puppies and

have equal power in making decisions as well. In truth, regarding the fact that their

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49
children had been kidnapped, Pongo told Perdy “It’s all up to us,” not “up to me,”

which means he gave Perdy an equal responsibility to be involved in serious matters. In

the same way, Alex’s parents in Wizards of Waverly Place are portrayed with the unity:

they share work at the family’s fast food restaurant and they agree with each other about

the methods to teach their children whenever the children make mistakes.

To sum up, unequal power and shared power appear to be two patterns of Disney

movies and shows as regards power division in family. Obviously, when turning to the

inequality in power, those animated films and sitcoms are apt to depict male partners as

more powerful than female. Thus, it would have no positive influence on youngsters’

concept of fathers’ and mothers’ roles in family.

V - Socioeconomic Status

The difference in gender socioeconomic status is reflected on Disney Channel

through both popular classical films and modern films. Male characters in Walt Disney

films are usually portrayed with higher social status with the role of leaders while female

characters are described in lower status with subordinate positions.

As a matter of fact, in popular Disney animated films like Aladdin, Snow White

and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, The Little Mermaid,

Treasure Planet, male characters are portrayed in the role of kings while females are

hardly found to be queens, for example.

49
One hundred and one Dalmatians, Dir. Clyde Geronimi et al, Walt Disney Productions, 1961.

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50
Mary Poppins and Life is Beautiful are of the most popular classical films aired

by Disney Channel. In the movies, male characters involve in white or blue collar jobs

with high social status while female characters are working mainly in pink collar jobs

with lower social status. The following table lists all the male and female characters in

the two films together with their jobs and social status, showing the distinction regarding

genders.

Table A: Career and social position in Disney classical films

Male Characters Female Characters

FILMS
HIGH HIGH
NAME CAREER NAME CAREER
SOCIAL SOCIAL

POSITION POSITION
George Bank Mary Bank office
YES NO
Banks management Poppins staff

Mrs.
Mary Admiral
Naval officer YES House wife NO
Winifred
Poppins Boom
Banks

Maid of the
Constable
Police officer YES Ellen NO
Banks
Jones
residence

50
Disney famous classical sitcoms show in 1964 and 1997.

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Life is
Dora’s School
Fascist official YES Dora NO
beautiful
fiancé teacher

In Disney modern movies like Good luck Charlie, That’s So Raven, Cory in the

House, Phineas and Ferb , High school musical, Camp Rock, The Incredibles,

Pocahontas, etc.,51 the male characters are also described with higher social status or as a

team leader compared with female characters. In fact, it is less likely to have females

taking the role of leaders.

The following table provides a comparison between Disney male and female

characters in terms of socioeconomic status:

Table B: Career and social position in Disney modern films

MALE CHARACTERS FEMALE CHARACTERS


DISNEY

MODERN
HIGH HIGH
FILMS
NAME CAREER SOCIAL NAME CAREER SOCIAL

POSITION POSITION

Cory in the Meena


Cory Baxter Business man YES Singer NO
House Paroom

51
Disney modern films aired from 2000 to date.

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Cory’s Sophie President’


Cook NO NO
father Martines daughter

Bahavia Ambassador YES

Library Cory’s Fashion


Alexander NO NO
owner sister designer

Phineas Lawrence Linda


Archeologist NO Singer NO
and Ferb Fletcher Flynn

Candace
Selling
Getrude NO
assistance
Flynn

Daughter of
Pocahontas The father Tribe leader YES Pocahontas YES
Tribe leader

The Mr. Leader of the


YES Elastic girl Bob’s wife NO
Incredibles Incredible Incredibles

Good luck Charlie’s Company Charlie’s


YES Housewife NO
Charlie father owner mother

In Disney classical film, gender socioeconomic status is reflected among main

characters as kings or male leaders. In Disney modern programs, main characters are

usually children, hence, their position in the society is not clearly shown. However, from

the characters who act as parents and adults, we can realize the difference between males

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and females regarding social positions. On Disney channel, the subordinate social

position is still reinforced for females, depicting women in more subservient roles.



In short, people watch Disney Channel and at the same time, they receive

messages and images of gender role clearly portrayed in almost all of Disney shows. By

analyzing typical Disney programs broadcast on Vietnam Cable TV from original

animated films to modern movies (see appendix 4 for table of Disney Channel programs

analyzed), what this part of research has found out is that in terms of physical

appearance, while female beauty is related to thinness, males are supposed to have

physical power. Besides, the research demonstrates a favorable stereotype of dominant

male – submissive female in Disney Channel regarding behavioral norms. Although

female characters, so far, have emerged as an inspirational source for feminist portrayal,

male leading roles are restrictedly arranged in traditional behavioral structure. Therefore,

Disney programs only offer the audience a limited type of revolution propagandized

through character traits. Next, the research shows that the image of rescuer, love at first

sight, the unwavering passion and “live happily ever after” are the key concepts which

are portrayed in Disney Channel in terms of romantic involvement. The research also

finds out that men are almost always active in starting a relationship and women usually

attract men by taking advantage of their good-looking appearance. In addition, turning to

family structure and practices, it is shown in the research that single fathers appear more

usually than single mothers in Disney Channel programs. As regards the portrayal of

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mothers, there are three types of maternal roles namely the protector, the caregiver and

the protector and caregiver. When it comes to the depiction of fathers, they are displayed

as controlling and aggressive, nurturing and affectionate, and self-sacrificing. Both the

equality and inequality in sharing house chores responsibility between fathers and

mothers are shown in the research as well. Last but not least, regarding socioeconomic

status, Disney Channel also portrays its characters in traditional norms. To be precise,

most male characters are described as social leaders with white color jobs, taking

important roles while female characters are usually attached to the inferior social

positions with pink color jobs and low social status.



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PART 4: SURVEY ON HO CHI MINH CITY


TEENAGERS’ PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLE IN
DISNEY CHANNEL
In order to be more objective in our research, we have conducted a survey to find

out how teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City respond to the images of gender role shown in

Disney Channel programs. We distributed our survey to 200 students of secondary

schools – Lac Hong Secondary School (Add: 20D, 3/2 Street, Ward 12, District 10) and

Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School (Add: 72, Nguyen Lam Street, Ward 6, District

10) and high schools - Nguyen Thị Minh Khai High School (Add: 275, Dien Bien Phu

Street, Ward 7, District 3) and Le Quy Don High School (Add: 110, Nguyen Thi Minh

Khai Street, Ward 6, District 3.) We also created an online version of our survey and

there were 27 respondents taking our survey. In total, the survey was taken by 227

respondents with the age range from 14 years old to 18 years old. (See Appendix 2 for the

survey questions and Appendix 3 for the English version.)

I - Physical Appearance

Table 1. Favorite body shape of female characters (Question 4.1)

Chosen options Slender Sexy Firm Plump


Male 34.5 % 34.5 % 31 % 0%
Female 34.3 % 17.1 % 45.7 % 2.9 %

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Table 2. Favorite body shape of male characters (Question 4.2)

Chosen options Muscular Fit Plump Skinny


Male 46.6 % 46.5 % 6.9 % 0%
Female 23.5 % 67.7 % 5.9 % 2.9 %

As stated in the tables, it is shown that both females (34.3%) and males (34.5%)

are quite actively engaged in female slimness portrayed by Disney Channel. To some

extent, HCMC teenagers show themselves to be influenced by the obsession with

thinness. This seemingly proves the power of Disney on Saigonese teenagers’ perception

of gender in terms of physical appearance. However, it is also notable that while males

have equal preferences to female beauty as being slender and sexy (both 34.5%), HCMC

girls prefer firmness to slimness (45.7% of firm compared to 34.3% of slim). It is an

approvingly important difference in female teenagers’ mind compared with American

and European girls. They appear to be heading towards a firm and healthy figure rather

than trying various methods of dieting to get a skinny and bony body figure.

On discussion of physical appearance of males, whereas HCMC boys’ perceptions

of masculinity and fitness are almost equal (46.5% and 46.6%), the majority of girls

choose fitness as their favorite male physical appearance (67.7%). As a result, we can

come to a conclusion that Saigonese boys have a strong obsession with physical strength

in both muscularity and fitness. They have equal view points of what is considered male

beauty – to be muscular and to be fit or slender. It somehow expresses that their upmost

concern focuses on being strong physically. On the other hand, girls’ idea is totally

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

different. In truth, most of them (67.7%) prefer males with fitness – a familiar image of

male models on television and magazines. It at the same time gives us an implication that

HCMC girls are more and more independent from the protection of muscular men quite

often portrayed in Disney. Instead, they are in favor of apparent body build of fitness as

they always see on various means of the media.

II – Behavioral Traits

Table 3. Favorite behavior pattern of female characters (Question 5.1)

Chosen options A B C D E F
Male 40.6 % 6.3 % 21.9 % 6.2 % 6.2 % 18.8 %
Female 49 % 6% 15 % 21 % 9% 0%

Note on options:
A: Fun loving, free-spirited B: Princess-liked

C: Brainy, princess-liked D: Supergirl-liked

E: Childish F: Others

Table 4. Favorite behavior pattern of male characters (Question 5.2)

Chosen options A B C D E F
Male 11.4 % 42.9 % 22.9 % 17.1 % 5.7 % 0%
Female 8.6 % 25.7 % 11.4 % 22.9 % 5.7 % 0%

Note on options:
A: Nerdy B: Sporty

C: Superman-liked D: Playful

E: Childish F: Others

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

Table 3 shows us the proportions of favorite Disney traits in female characters

evaluated by teenage boys and girls in Ho Chi Minh City. It indicates that “fun loving -

free spirited” preference (Hannah Montana, Alex Russo, etc.) currently has market

dominance with 40.6% from boys’ evaluation and 49% girls’ satisfaction. While

“princess-liked” pattern (the princesses from classic tales) shows an even distribution of

result as it scores only 6.2% and 9% from boys and girls respectively, ratings of “brainy

princess-liked” behavior (Gabriella in High School Musical trilogy) show gender

diversity. This characteristic is highly appreciated by Ho Chi Minh City teenage boys

with 21.9% comparing to 15% girls’ vote. There also appears a huge favor gap between

Ho Chi Minh City boys and girls for female role model’s “superman-liked” (Elastic Girl,

Totally Spice, and the like) pattern. This distinctive characteristic catches 21% Ho Chi

Minh City girl’s preference, which is 3.5 times higher than that of boys. Both girls and

boys in Ho Chi Minh City share the same score on “childish” (Harper in Wizards of

Waverly Place) with approximately 6% vote. “Others” option displays contrasting

opinions for female behavioral norms among Saigonese teenagers. The result

demonstrates the percentage shown on the table along with the actual count value: with

that being 18.3 and 0 respectively. Most boys commented in the box below “others”

option that they liked “Sharpay” characteristic – a witted, mean, self-centered, free

spirited and confident girl in High School Musical trilogy.

Table 4 displays a percentage of those satisfied with the stated behavioral patterns

for male leading roles in Disney films. The table is based on the responses of teenagers of

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

both genders in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Saigonese teenage boys’ evaluation, it is

evident that “Sporty” (Troy Bolton in High School Musical and Izzy Daniels in Jump in,

etc.) and “Playful” (Chad Danforth in High School Musical) characteristic made up the

two most favorite Disney male’s characteristics. Together they comprise over half of Ho

Chi Minh City boy’s satisfaction. At the same time, Saigonese girls show the fondness of

“sporty” characteristic for male category as this personality climbs to the highest

percentage of 42.9, while “playful” trait only accounts for 17.10% vote. When teenage

girls agree that “Superman-liked” feature (Mr. Incredible, Tarzan, Gaston, the Beast, and

so forth) is desirable, boys disagree making a total percentage of 22.9 and 11.4

respectively. Being “childish” (Jackson and Mitchell in Hannah Montana: Best of Both

Worlds, Justin Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place, and the like) seems less favorable for

both genders as rating hits the lowest with only 5.7% satisfaction.

The tables clearly show that Ho Chi Minh City teenagers in both genders are still

influenced by Disney gender stereotypes. Both sexes show the fondness of the most

popular traits in Disney shows such as “fun loving – free spirited” for female characters

and “sporty,” “playful” for male characters. At the same time, they show less impressed

on the undesirable traits like “nerdy” and “childish.”

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

III – Romantic Involvement

Table 5: View on the portrayal of romance in Disney Channel shows (Question 6)

Gender Very realistic Acceptable Unrealistic


Male 0% 80 % 20 %
Female 0% 100 % 0%

The result of survey shows that Disney Channel has a certain impact on HCMC

teenagers’ perception of romance and gender. There is no vote for the idea that romance

in Disney Channel is very realistic. However, they seem to agree with the idea that

romance in Disney films can be acceptable. Among males’ responses, there is 80%

acceptance of the romantic portrayal in Disney compared to 100% that is of girls. It

possibly proves that girls are more romantic than boys. Moreover, it is notable that we

cannot avoid some over-romanticized details in the movies. However, those details, in

our opinions, also symbolize for innocent dreams which are idealized to direct us to a

better life which is full of love and happiness.

Table 6: View on love at first sight (Question 7)

Gender Believe Do not believe Others


Male 80 % 20 % 0%
Female 42. 9 % 42. 9 % 14. 2 %

In our survey, more than half of teenagers in HCMC believe in love at first sight.

Nevertheless, teenagers in HCMC believe that they can have and develop their affection

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

in case they meet the right person who can make them feel the so-called love. It is

surprising to know that 80% HCMC boys vote for love at first sight as opposed to 42.9%

of girls. Only one girl thinks differently that “it should depend on the one I love.”

Table 7: View on the idea of eternal love (Question 8)

Gender Believe Do not believe Others


Male 0% 80 % 20 %
Female 42.9 % 28.6 % 28.5 %

The idea of eternal love is rejected by half of the participants because they think

that through the flow of time, love will change. The love for one another can be less or

more but it is hard to stay the same. One special thing in the survey is that no boy

believes in eternal love; meanwhile, 42.9% girls believe in everlasting love. It proves that

boys and girls are less affected by the idea of eternal love on Disney Channel. But girls

seem to idealize a perfect love in which one never changes the love for another. And

although boys do not approve of this idea, there is one expressing, “This can only happen

when the right person appears.”

Table 8: View on the idea of “happily ever after” (Question 9)

Gender Yes No Others


Male 50 % 25 % 25 %
Female 28.6 % 28.6 % 42.8 %

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

The idea of living “happily ever after” also receives many approving responses

from 50% of boys and 28.6% of girls. “Others” option constitutes a percentage of 25 and

42.8 of boys and girls respectively. Therefore, different ideas are generated. On one hand,

they believe in “happily ever after” ending because of their faith in love stability; that is,

they think the right person will help their love blossom. On the other hand, for those who

do not agree, they openly express their thoughts about everlasting happiness. As one girl

truthfully says, “anything is possible. If we are not sure about everything, the best attitude

is that we should be ready to face whatever suddenly happens in our real life.”

Table 9: The way boys attract girls (Question 10.1)

Dressing
Gender Making scandals Being lovely Caring
suggestively
Male 40% 34.3% 14.3% 11.4%

Table 10: The way girls attract boys (Question 10.2)

Dressing
Gender Making scandals Being lovely Caring
suggestively
Female 42% 29% 15% 13%

The way to “attack” the one of opposite sex is also a main feature of Disney

romantic love. Strategies and plans on the way to one’s heart seem diverse and they are

all supported by the participants. Boys want to be able to play sport as Troy Bolton and

Chad Danforth in High School Musical (40%) while 34.3% prefers boys with profound

knowledge like Cody in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. 14.3% is interested in boys

with sporty way of dressing. And the rest votes for “caring” type. To girls, 42 % likes to

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

express their love through scandals because they think that this is an easy way to get the

attention of the ones they love. 29% prefers themselves to be lovely like Gabriella in

High School Musical and Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock. 15% likes the suggestive way of

dressing such as Sharpay in High School Musical while 13% of the girls is interested in

the care of love. Through the survey, we explore that both boys and girls want to free

themselves from the old images portrayed in Disney shows. Instead, they are strongly

influenced by Disney new images – boys being sporty, knowledgeable and caring;

meanwhile, girls being active in love. It goes against the gender stereotype in which boys

are always the rescuers and girls are always the rescued.

IV – Family Structure and Practices

Table 11. Preferred family pattern (Question 11)

Chosen options A B C D
Male 34.5 % 62 % 0% 3.5 %
Female 35.3 % 54.3 % 8.6 % 0%

Note on options:

A: Only the father goes to work B: Both parents go to work

C: Only the mother goes to work D: Others

Table 12. House chores sharing between parents (Question 12)

Chosen options Fathers Mothers Both parents


Male 8.5 % 35 % 56.5 %
Female 9.5 % 27.5 % 63 %

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

Table 13. Preferred type of father (Question 13)

Chosen options A B C
Male 45.5 % 52.5 % 2%
Female 43.7 % 56.3 % 0%

Note on options:

A: Strict and tough

B: Close to the children like a friend

C: Just provides the children with material needs.

The survey indicates the idea of male and female teenagers watching Disney

Channel in Ho Chi Minh City about family structure and practices. As can be seen from

the survey result, in general, over 50% of both teenage boys and girls vote for the

equality in labor and power division between male and female in family. In addition,

approximately half the participant number taking part in the survey prefers the image of

parents in which mothers play a more active role and fathers are no longer a distant figure

to children.

Specifically, 62% of boys and 54.3% of girls who watch Disney Channel think

both fathers and mothers should go to work. Meanwhile, the number of male and female

teenagers who like the equality in household labor division accounts for 56.5% and 63%.

It is clear from the data collected that there is a very slight gap between the number of

boys and girls supporting the equality in family. In other words, both males and females

in their teenagers living in Ho Chi Minh City are well aware of men’s and women’s roles
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Popular Culture Research Group 4

in a modern family where the father and the mother support one another and share

responsibilities.

Equally important, the percentage of male and female participants in the survey

who like the portrayal of an affectionate and caring father constitutes 52.5% and 56.3 %

one after another. Hence, it is a matter of fact that there are positive changes out of the

old masculinity stereotype of fathers among youngsters in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nevertheless, it appears that gender role stereotypes still exist in the mind of those

teenage Disney Channel viewers. To illustrate this idea, it is shown in the survey result

that teenager number who think mothers are more capable of household chores and

fathers are more capable of making a living is higher in proportion to that who think vice

versa (34.5% to 0% in boys and 35.3% to 8.6% in girls.) Similarly, the image of a so-

called perfect father according to 45.5% of boys and 43.7% of girls is the controlling and

aggressive father, for it is affected by patriarchy conveyed in Disney movies.

In conclusion, there are positive changes in gender role reception of Disney

Channel young viewers in Ho Chi Minh City while some still perform their

understanding in ways consistent with traditional gender stereotypes.

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

V – Socioeconomic Status

Table 14. View on female leadership (Question 14)

Chosen options Yes (Agree) No (Disagree)


Male 51.7 % 48.3 %
Female 73.5 % 26.5 %

From the survey, it is shown that the assumption of female leadership is more

acceptable nowadays. Raising a question of “whether women are suitable for leader

responsibility,” we get the approval from most male and female audiences. In fact, there

are 51.7% males and 71.5% females agreeing with the idea while 48.3% males and

26.5% females regard women as unsuitable for leadership. It shows that while nearly half

of males still holds on to the idea of that women have less important position in the

society, two third of the girls asked seems to have more open view on this issues. From

this, we can come to the conclusion that Saigonese girls have been more and more aware

of their gender equality in terms of socioeconomic status.



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Popular Culture Research Group 4

PART 5: CONCLUSION

By analyzing the texts in Disney programs combined with a survey on ideas of Ho

Chi Minh City teenagers’ perception of gender role in Disney Channel, this research can

draw out some valuable conclusions.

First of all, in terms of physical appearance, most HCMC teenagers are quite

actively engaged in the obsession with thinness portrayed on Disney shows. However,

while boys have equal preferences on slim and sexy girls, HCMC girls would rather

choose firmness as their beauty ideal. This to some extent proves that HCMC teenagers

are gradually heading towards the beauty that is physically strong and healthy. In

addition, it is found that boys’ choice of muscularity and fitness are nearly equal, whereas

girls would prefer male fitness to muscularity. It somehow expressed the other influential

sources on television and magazines on girls.

Secondly, the majority voting for favorite Disney traits of both genders indicates

audience reception in HCMC is still being controlled by Disney gender current values

and perceptions. While the feminist movement has great impact on Disney female role

models, male characters are under pressure of typical social expectation. The survey on

favorite characters in Disney movies proves that less than flawless characteristic such as

“childish” and “nerdy” does not receive as many positive feedbacks as typical traits for

instance “sporty” and “playful.” Gender role in terms of behavioral traits, therefore,

showed by HCMC teenagers signifies the remains of gender stereotypes.

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

Thirdly, although not all HCMC teenagers are overwhelmed by the portrayal of

romance in Disney films, they still get a certain influence which is clarified by the

survey’s result. That means HCMC teenagers selectively accept the model shown in

Disney and make it their own. There will not totally be a prince and a princess or a

romantic love but teenagers still wish for a beautiful life or even a dreamy world in which

they can freely express themselves instead of being restricted in Disney stereotyped

portrayal.

Next, as regards family structure and practices, more than half the number of male

and female teenagers who participated in the survey supports the equality in household

labor and power division. This fact represents a positive change in the perception of

gender role in HCMC boys’ and girls’ minds in which both men and women play an

important role in family and share all responsibilities with one another. Comparing to

Disney Channel stereotypes of male and female’s roles in family, the survey displays

HCMC teenagers’ independent thoughts out of domestic roles of women and dominant

roles of men.

In terms of socioeconomic status, the idea of female leadership is more

acceptable in HCMC teenagers’ perception nowadays, which shows their support to

feminism. HCMC teenagers’ notion about gender has become more objective, more

radical nowadays.

In conclusion, the findings express the activeness of HCMC teenagers in their

perception of gender role in Disney Channel. In fact, despite being one of the factors that

have a strong influence on its viewers’ point of view of gender role, Disney Channel

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

programs cannot reinforce all its ideals of gender in the Ho Chi Minh City teenage

audience, as shown in different ideas of survey participants with a critical way of

thinking . This is what caregivers like parents and teachers should pay attention to in

order to provide the adolescents an environment, a clear guidance and useful directions to

help them healthily develop their gender identity.



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Popular Culture Research Group 4

APPENDIX 1

Figure 1. Snow White’s beauty Figure 2. Belle’s beauty


<http://anhphuongart.wordpress.com/m%E <http://www.cardboardstandups.com/prin
1%BA%ABu-v%E1%BA%BD-phong- cesses.htm>
be/snow-white/snow-white-31/>

Figure 3. Cinderella’s beauty Figure 4. Pocahontas’s beauty


<http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Cinderella_ <http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Pocahontas
%28character%29> _%28character%29>

Figure 5. Identical Beauty of Disney Figure 6. Miley (left) with below average
Princesses figure and Lily with “trendy” beauty
<http://www.thecartoonpictures.com/r- <http://www.last.fm/music/Hannah+Mont
disney-1-disney-princesses-9-disney- ana/+images/26629051>
princess-party-4.htm>

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

Figure 7. Sharpay’s sexy beauty Figure 8. Cory’s overweight image


<http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Sharpay> <http://youchewpoop.com/news/cory-in-
the-house-review/>

Figure 9. Small and skinny brothers Figure 10. Tarzan’s muscularity


Phineas and Ferb <http://newlynatural.com/blog/category/c
<http://www.fanpop.com/spots/agent- urly-cartoons/>
p/images/4831634/title/phineas-ferb-fast-
phineas-photo>

Figure 11. Mr. Incredible’s muscular


Figure 12. Phillip’s slender build
figure
<http://haraldsiepermann.blogspot.com/2
<http://www.comicvine.com/mr-
007_11_01_archive.html>
incredible/29-54238/>

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

APPENDIX 2

Khoa Ngữ văn Anh


Trường Đại học Khoa học Xã hội & Nhân văn TP.HCM
PHIẾU KHẢO SÁT
Chúng tôi là nhóm sinh viên ngành ngữ văn Anh đang nghiên cứu ảnh hưởng của
kênh truyền hình Disney Channel đối với thiếu niên thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Phiếu khảo
sát này được dùng chỉ cho mục đích nghiên cứu và thông tin cung cấp trong phiếu khảo
sát sẽ được bảo mật. Xin cám ơn sự hợp tác của bạn!
Vui lòng trả lời câu hỏi bằng cách khoanh tròn, đánh dấu chọn () hoặc điền vào
chỗ trống.
1. Tuổi của bạn?............................................................................................
2. Giới tính: Nam Nữ
3. Bạn có thường xuyên xem kênh Disney Channel không?
Có Không
Nếu có, mỗi tuần bạn dành bao nhiêu thời gian cho việc xem kênh
này?........................tiếng/tuần
4. Ngoại hình nhân vật yêu thích của bạn
4.1. Nhân vật nữ
a. Nhỏ nhắn, mảnh mai (Alex Russo, Gabriella)
b. Gợi cảm (Sharpay)
c. Thon gọn, khỏe khoắn (Hannah Montana)
d. Tròn trịa (Raven - That’s So Raven, The Cheetah Girls)
Ý kiến khác (Cho biết lý do):
4.2. Nhân vật nam
a. Cơ bắp (Mr. Incredible, Buzz Lightyear – Toy Story, Tarzan)
b. Khỏe khoắn, gọn gàng (Troy Bolton)
c. Tròn trịa (Cory – Cory in the House)

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

d. Gầy guộc, nhỏ con (Cody – Zack and Cody, George – George of the Jungle)
Ý kiến khác (Cho biết lý do):
5. Kiểu nhân vật Disney yêu thích của bạn?
5.1. Nhân vật nữ
a. Lanh lợi, tinh nghịch (Hannah Montana, Alex Russo - Wizards of Waverly
Place)
b. Nết na, xinh đẹp (Công chúa Lọ Lem, Bạch Tuyết, Nàng tiên cá)
c. Học giỏi, dịu dàng (Gabriella - High School Musical)
d. Có siêu năng lực (Elastic Girl - The Incredibles)
e. Ngờ nghệch, ngớ ngẩn (Harper – Wizards of Waverly Place)
Ý kiến khác (Cho biết lý do):
5.2. Nhân vật nam
a. Thông minh, mọt sách (Cody - Zack and Cody, Justin Russo – Wizards of
Waverly Place)
b. Mê thể thao (Troy Bolton - High School Musical)
c. Có siêu năng lực (Mr. Incredible - The Incredibles)
d. Tinh nghịch (Zack - Zack and Cody, Rico - Hannah Montana)
e. Ngờ nghệch, ngớ ngẩn (George – George of the Jungle, Oliver & Jackson, anh
của Hannah – Hannah Montana)
Ý kiến khác (Cho biết lý do):
6. Theo bạn, sự lãng mạn trong những phim trên Disney Channel là
a. Rất thực tế
b. Có thể chấp nhận
c. Không thực tế chút nào
Ý kiến khác:
7. Bạn có tin vào tình yêu sét đánh hay không?
a. Có
b. Không
c. Ý kiến khác

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

8. Bạn có tin vào một tình yêu vĩnh cửu, không bao giờ thay đổi hay không?
a. Có
b. Không
c. Ý kiến khác
9. Khi gặp đúng đối tượng, bạn có tin rằng mình sẽ sống hạnh phúc mãi mãi về
sau với người đó không?
a. Có
b. Không
c. Ý kiến khác
10. Bạn nghĩ nên làm cách nào để thu hút người khác giới:
10.1. Nếu bạn là nam
a. Ăn mặc thời trang (Jackson, anh của Hannah Montana)
b. Chơi thể thao giỏi (Troy Bolton)
c. Học giỏi, khoe kiến thức (Cody – Zack and Cody, Justin Russo)
d. Thể hiện sự quan tâm (Troy Bolton)
Ý kiến khác:
10. 2. Nếu bạn là nữ
a. Ăn mặc gợi cảm (Sharpay)
b. Ăn mặc dễ thương, nữ tính (Gabriella)
c. Thể hiện sự quan tâm
d. Làm những trò điên rồ để gây sự chú ý (Candace – Phineas and Ferb)
Ý kiến khác:
11. Bạn thích kiểu mẫu gia đình nào dưới đây:
a. Cha đi làm, mẹ nội trợ (The Incredibles)
b. Cha mẹ đều đi làm (Good luck Charlie)
c. Cha nội trợ, mẹ đi làm
12. Công việc trong nhà là việc của:
a. Cha
b. Mẹ

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

c. Cả 2 cùng chia sẻ trách nhiệm.


13. Bạn thích mẫu người cha như thế nào?
a. Cứng rắn và nghiêm khắc
b. Gần gũi với con cái
c. Chỉ cần cung cấp nhu cầu vật chất cho con cái.
14. Theo ý bạn, phụ nữ có phù hợp với việc làm lãnh đạo hay không?
a. Có
b. Không

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

APPENDIX 3

Department of English Linguistics and Literature


Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities
SURVEY
We are a group of students of the Department of English Linguistics and
Literature doing a research on how teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City respond to images of
gender role shown in Disney Channel programs. This survey is used only for research
purpose and all the information provided will be confidential. We sincerely thank you for
your cooperation.
Please answer the following questions by circling your choice, ticking your choice
or filling in the blank.
1. Your age: ............................................................................................
2. Gender: Male Female
3. Do you usually watch Disney Channel?
Yes No
If yes, how often do you watch Disney Channel? …………… hour(s)/week
4. What are your favorite body shapes of characters?
4.1. Female characters
a. Slender (Alex Russo, Gabriella)
b. Sexy (Sharpay)
c. Firm (Hannah Montana)
d. Plump (Raven - That’s So Raven, The Cheetah Girls)
Others (Please specify)
4.2. Male characters
a. Muscular (Mr. Incredible, Buzz Lightyear – Toy Story, Tarzan)
b. Fit (Troy Bolton)
c. Plump (Cory – Cory in the House)

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

d. Skinny (Cody – Zack and Cody, George – George of the Jungle)


Others (Please specify)
5. What are your favorite behavior patterns of characters in Disney Channel
programs?
5.1. Female characters
a. Fun loving, free-spirited (Hannah Montana, Alex Russo - Wizards of Waverly
Place)
b. Princess-liked (Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid)
c. Brainy, princess-liked (Gabriella - High School Musical)
d. Supergirl-liked (Elastic Girl - The Incredibles)
e. Childish (Harper – Wizards of Waverly Place)
Others (Please specify):
5.2. Male character
a. Nerdy (Cody - Zack and Cody, Justin Russo – Wizards of Waverly Place)
b. Sporty (Troy Bolton - High School Musical)
c. Superman-liked (Mr. Incredible - The Incredibles)
d. Playful (Zack - Zack and Cody, Rico - Hannah Montana)
e. Childish (George – George of the Jungle, Oliver & Jackson - Hannah Montana’s
friend and brother )
Others (Please specify):
6. What is your view on the portrayal of romance on Disney Channel shows?
a. Very realistic
b. Acceptable
c. Unrealistic
Others (Please specify)
7. Do you believe in love at first sight?
a. Yes
b. No
Others (Please specify)

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

8. Do you believe in the idea of eternal love?


a. Yes
b. No
Others (Please specify)
9. When you meet the Right One, do you believe you two can live “happily ever
after”?
a. Yes
b. No
Others ( please specify)
10. In what way should a character attract the person of the other sex?
10. 1. If you are male
a. Dressing suggestively (Jack Ryan - Hannah Montana)
b. Making scandals (Zack – The Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
d. Caring (Troy Bolton)
Others (Please specify)
10.2. If you are female
a. Dressing suggestively (Sharpay)
b. Being lovely(Gabriella)
c. Caring (Gabriella)
d. Making scandals (Candace – Phineas and Ferb)
Others (Please specify)
11. What is your preferred family pattern?
a. Only the father goes to work ( The Incredibles)
b. Both parents go to work (Good luck Charlie)
c. Only the mother goes to work
Others (Please specify)
12. Whom do you think house chore responsibility belongs to?
a. Father
b. Mother

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

c. Shared responsibility
13. What is your preferred type of father?
a. Strict and tough (Kerchak – Tarzan)
b. Close to children like a friend (Billy Ray Stewart – Hannah Montana)
c. Just provides children with material needs (Father of Zack and Cody – The
Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
14. Do you think females are suitable to be leaders?
a. Yes
b. No

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

APPENDIX 4

List of Disney Channel movies and TV shows analyzed

Movies/ TV shows Year Released


Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 1937
Pinocchio 1940
Bambi 1942
Cinderella 1950
Alice in Wonderland 1951
Peter Pan 1953
Lady and the Tramp 1955
Sleeping Beauty 1959
101 Dalmatians 1961
Mary Poppins 1964
The Jungle Book 1967
The Little Mermaid 1989
Beauty and the Beast 1991
Aladdin 1992
The Lion King 1994
Pocahontas 1995
Life is Beautiful 1997
Mulan 1998
Tarzan 1999
Atlantis: The Lost Empire 2001
Kim Possible 2002
Treasure Planet 2002
That’s So Raven 2003
The Incredibles 2004
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 2005

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

Hannah Montana 2006


High School Musical 2006
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior 2006
Cory in the House 2007
Jump In 2007
Phineas and Ferb 2007
Wizards of Waverly Place 2007
Camp Rock 2008
Minutemen 2008
Good Luck Charlie 2010

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Popular Culture Research Group 4

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