Petition: 'Make Plus-Size Princesses In Disney Movies!'

[Rumors Rocks]

Teen Starts Petition: 'Make Plus-Size Princesses In Disney Movies!' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...ze-princesses-in-disney-movies_n_4695664.html

SOFIA THE FIRST - 'The Amulet and the Anthem' - When Sofia brags about being chosen to sing the Enchancian Anthem at the annual Harvest Festival, her amulet puts a curse on her which she must learn to undo. Classic Disney Princess Belle from 'Beauty and the Beast' makes a special appearance to offer Sofia some words of advice - princess to princess. This episode of Disney Junior's 'Sofia The First' airs FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET/PT) on Disney Junior. (Image by Disney Junior vi | Disney Junior via Getty Images

One of the Internet's favorite conversations is about Disney princesses and their unrealistic depictions of young girls. Their waists are tiny, their hair is silky smooth and in Disney's latest hit, "Frozen," Anna's eyeballs are actually larger than her wrists. So what message does this send teens? That, perhaps, in order to seem appealing, worthy or princess-like, you must look a certain way.

Jewel Moore, a junior in high school from Farmville, Va., has decided to turn this talk into action. She's started a petition asking Disney to create a plus-size princess in an upcoming movie.

Moore writes, in part:

I made this petition because I'm a plus-size young woman, and I know many plus-size girls and women who struggle with confidence and need a positive plus-size character in the media.
Studies show that a child's confidence correlates greatly with how much representation they have in the media. It's extremely difficult to find a positive representation of plus-size females in the media. If Disney could make a plus-size female protagonist who was as bright, amazing, and memorable as their others, it would do a world of good for those plus-size girls out there who are bombarded with images that make them feel ugly for not fitting the skinny standard.

Research supports Moore's concern for her plus-sized peers. A recent study found that two-thirds of 13-year-old girls fear weight gain and, according to data cited by the National Eating Disorders Association, more than half of teenage girls engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors, like skipping meals.

As of Wednesday morning, Moore's petition had 215 signatures, and supporters echoed her message. "I, as a plus sized individual, feel as though a plus sized role model (Disney princess) would have made [me] into a more confident person in my own skin. This is for the little girls who still have a chance for that," one signer wrote.

 

[Alice Royal]

Honestly, this is stupid (and this is coming from a teen who is apparently 'plus-sized' because I'm a size 12).

Princesses are fictional. They do NOT have to follow societal norms because they're not real! So of COURSE they're going to be idealized. Barbie is never going to be plus-sized either, and there's a reason behind that. Idealized sells.

If you want to show your girls a 'real woman role model', tell stories about the strong and powerful women in your family or in history, regardless of their size. Or, you can show girls ACTUAL princesses (at least one in this list appears bigger than average: http://www.theveryfairyprincess.com/princesses.html).

I'd much rather go through an old photo album and show my daughter pictures of her plus-sized grandmother or aunt and share stories of their personal courage and triumph instead of relying on an enormous entertainment conglomerate to do it for me.

 

[davedmaine]

Interesting.. I guess the themed restaurant to go along with the princess would have to be a buffet..

 

[RnbwSktles]

I started writing a long post about "what is the definition of plus-sized" and "are we teaching children that being overweight is ok", etc, etc, but I realized it's not worth the debate.

I think the main point here, as the PP said, is that idealized princesses are what sell. They look better on screen, they make better dolls, it just makes sense.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that plus sized princesses wouldn't likely sell but who knows? I suppose that there's no harm in asking.

 

[MadToad]

Interesting.. I guess the themed restaurant to go along with the princess would have to be a buffet..

 

[rteetz]

I understand where the person is coming from but I highly doubt this is going to happen. Disney princesses are made up except for Pocahontas I guess but that's for another time. It's going to get heat from both sides. Some will say that would promote unhealthy eating and what not and then others would say this is needed so show that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I agree with PP who say your not going to see a plus sized Barbie either.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never looked at Disney princesses, or any cartoon, as anything but that, a cartoon. Not an idealized version of a human, but rather a caricature. Whenever I see how they've created a character, I look at its features and proportions and how they are used to show the story and emotions. I mean, in many of those same movies we see all manner of crazy illogical occurrences or talking beings....why would we see the people characters as anything other than make believe?

 

[sweetdana]

TOo..

 

[Skooch]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never looked at Disney princesses, or any cartoon, as anything but that, a cartoon. Not an idealized version of a human, but rather a caricature. Whenever I see how they've created a character, I look at its features and proportions and how they are used to show the story and emotions. I mean, in many of those same movies we see all manner of crazy illogical occurrences or talking beings....why would we see the people characters as anything other than make believe?

This sums up my feelings. Focus on the story and the way the characters are developed. I will say nothing more of my opinions here as this is a volatile topic for a lot of people. If the story is good, it should not matter whether the characters are fat, skinny, black, white, straight, gay or otherwise. Good story telling is good story telling.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

I think the whole thing is silly and while they are not princesses there are all ready several good disney plus size characters. Flora and Merryweather are on Sofia more than any princess. And what about the fairy godmother? Heck when I was a child I loved clunky in robin hood and you know she is a fat chick. Several of the muses are of the round side but that's ok because short round mama Odie will tell you it don't matter what ya look like. These are just a few examples. If you don't want to focus so much on gender there are also a bunch of great plus size male characters.

 

[mm1971]

Ummmm.........NO! This is exactly what is wrong today. Would I care if they did? No, not really. It has gotten out of hand. Have you seen what Barbie would look like if she were real? No, because she's NOT! It's a doll.

Seriously. Why is it Disney's responsibility to teach your children that people are different and special because they are who they are. It's entertainment people. I know this is going to come as a shock to some, but the princess aren't real.. They are characters.

Teach your daughters to be whatever makes them happy. The only reason any child even realizes what "size" the princesses are is when an adult tells them. If you don't like the message that is being sent, don't buy the products, go to the movies, etc..... Certainly don't push your agenda on others. My daughter will grow to be happy no matter her body size or appearance. She will be a strong, confident young woman. And guess what, she actually learned some pretty good manners and lessons from watching these princesses and that is what I care about. Not the size of her dress.

OK, I'm ready for the flames and evil to be spattered.

 

[North of Mouse]

Whatever for?? To give the impression that being overweight is the norm and no big deal. I would think it would be a terrible thing to let this be the impression our little girls grow up with.

A barbie body? No! But healthy weights should always be the emphasis for all of us. I would never give a child an overweight doll.

By no means would I ever want to demean a child that was overweight, but encouraging it by showing it's totally accepted is another story.

 

[ChrisFL]

I think DreamWorks beat them to the punch several years ago with Princess Fiona (who really was a plus sized, beautiful....well....ogre once her true self was revealed)

 

[TipsyTraveler]

TOo..

Y'all need to slow down on all that popcorn before Disney models their first plus-sized princess after you.

 

[Spyells]

I think this idea is ridiculous. I'm a plus-size woman at size 18 and I'm a huge Disney nut. I don't feel that this is needed. The only extra representation of Disney princesses I agree with is racial. Belle is my favorite princess but, as an African-American it was a nice change of pace to see Tiana become a princess. I think that cartoons are cartoons and great storytelling is what's most important. Growing up, I never focused on how skinny or fat a princess was. I just enjoyed the stories for what they were, and I hope my future children will do the same.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Honestly, this is stupid (and this is coming from a teen who is apparently 'plus-sized' because I'm a size 12).

Princesses are fictional. They do NOT have to follow societal norms because they're not real! So of COURSE they're going to be idealized. Barbie is never going to be plus-sized either, and there's a reason behind that. Idealized sells.

If you want to show your girls a 'real woman role model', tell stories about the strong and powerful women in your family or in history, regardless of their size. Or, you can show girls ACTUAL princesses (at least one in this list appears bigger than average: http://www.theveryfairyprincess.com/princesses.html).

I'd much rather go through an old photo album and show my daughter pictures of her plus-sized grandmother or aunt and share stories of their personal courage and triumph instead of relying on an enormous entertainment conglomerate to do it for me.

This! It is up to parents to teach their children the proper healthy body image.

Someone used the key word; CARICATURE! a caricature is an exaggerated expression of something. Women are given exaggerated curves and men are given exaggerated shoulders and tiny waists. It is so the cartoon communicates easily who is who.

Why does nobody talk about the ridiculously muscular good guys? (Those huge shoulders and tiny waists.) All the poor boys will think they have to become body builders.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

This! It is up to parents to teach their children the proper healthy body image. Someone used the key word; CARICATURE! a caricature is an exaggerated expression of something. Women are given exaggerated curves and men are given exaggerated shoulders and tiny waists. It is so the cartoon communicates easily who is who. Why does nobody talk about the ridiculously muscular good guys? (Those huge shoulders and tiny waists.) All the poor boys will think they have to become body builders.

This is so true! People only ever complain about the overly skinny princesses, but no one is petitioning for less "idealized" men!

 

[Rumors Rocks]

TIME Magazine: Teen Girl Asks Disney to Make a Plus-Size Princess

Virginia high school junior Jewel Moore says a plus-size Disney princess would do a world of good for girls who feel ugly for not fitting the skinny animated stereotype

Video Newsfeed: http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/02/04/teen-girl-asks-disney-to-make-a-plus-size-princess/

Virginia high school junior Jewel Moore says a plus-size Disney princess would do a world of good for girls who feel ugly for not fitting the skinny animated stereotype. Even with Disney’s latest princess movie Frozen, many have pointed out Anna’s “absurd proportions,” noting that her eyes are larger than her wrists.

“I made this petition because I’m a plus-size young woman, and I know many plus-size girls and women who struggle with confidence and need a positivie [sic] plus-size character in the media.” So far, the petition has gained more than 18,000 signatures.

 

[beer dave]

What is actually being asked for is not on a level that disney or any media can change-- a re wiring of peoples brains to no longer desire the most fit and dominant physiques. This is engrained into our sub conscious by the creating powers that be to help generate the species in the most productive way. The females are drawn to the most dominant males for protection and provision, and the males are drawn to the most fit or able bodied females for successful child bearing. Can't change it.