Disney movies you avoid with your kids?

[The Sweetness]

When dd15 was a tot, I totally avoided Bambi. I just cant bear the beginning, with the fire and the hunters etc...

 

[hezreck]

My Dd is 9 now and doesn't watch the Disney cartoon movies anymore, but when she was 3 her favorite was Beauty and the Beast. She watched it sometimes 2 or 3 times a day for about 6 months until the VCR "ate" it. God that was awful, trying to win a copy of it on Ebay bacause it was retired. Well, during the time that we were without a copy, she switched to Hunchback of Notre Dame. That really surprised me that she liked that movie so much at 3 and 4 years old. It is very dark and the story is somewhat complex. The only Disney movie she wouldn't watch was Hercules because Hades scared her.

I still won't let her watch Pirates yet. I tried to watch the second one when it was on TV and it was very violent. I turned it off after about 45 minutes.

 

[NemoMOm]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I think there are too many sexual overtones for a children's movie.

 

[!HereWeCome!]

Personally can't stand Dumbo. I was horrified to watch it now that I'm a "grown up" - I'm suprised at all the content I missed as a kid!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Wow. I've been reading all of the replies on this thread and I have to say that I'm surprised by a lot of it. It seems like people are reading a lot more into these movies than is expected. I for one have grown up on Disney movies and I certainly haven't spent my life thinking that girls/princesses need men and need to be saved, that you can change a beast to a good man, that it's ok to disobey my parents and do what I want, etc. And I can also say that my parents never felt the need to "discuss" these things with me. They are movies, fiction, not real life. I always got that I guess, I don't know. I know my older son gets it. It just seems so strange to me to hear all of the movies over analyzed.

Some people are intellectuals and/or deep thinkers. I, for one, am guilty as charged, being ridiculously overeducated and generally interested in examining the world I inhabit, including and most especially the media we are exposed to on a daily basis! If it worked for you and your parents never to discuss anything you watched in a Disney movie, then great! However, that is not the path we will take. Not only do I believe there is a potential for negative influence from said movies, I would rather get my son's mind working in an objective, critical manner from the beginning. He'll be a much more efficient processor of information in the future! Again, as I stated previously, I enjoy Disney movies and think there is much to gain from viewing them...just not without discussion and review.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

we also fall into the camp of "use it for discussion" and don't make a point to avoid any of the cartoons.

the only Disney cartoon that has really given me the willies as a parent is Fox and the Hound. There is just so much gun-play in it and time spent on the hunter trying to kill the fox. And the fact that ultimately, Tod and Copper's friendship is not enough to overcome their natural instincts and that in the end they aren't able to play together. As the opposite side of the fantasy/princess coin, this one has a little too much real life in it for my tastes. We don't forbid it, and actually own it (Dmil has been gifting DS Disney cartoons since his birth), but personally it's the one I don't like.

Related to the Mulan/crossdressing statement, that one doesn't bother me because the movie plot gives her support in her choice to do so. However, the comment from the Genie in Aladdin, "not that I want to pick out curtains with you or anything" stuck out with me as anti-gay and an unnecessary jab. But I realize that it flies 30,000 feet over DS's head, so we still watch it.

 

[new_mommy]

Wow. I've been reading all of the replies on this thread and I have to say that I'm surprised by a lot of it. It seems like people are reading a lot more into these movies than is expected. I for one have grown up on Disney movies and I certainly haven't spent my life thinking that girls/princesses need men and need to be saved, that you can change a beast to a good man, that it's ok to disobey my parents and do what I want, etc. And I can also say that my parents never felt the need to "discuss" these things with me. They are movies, fiction, not real life. I always got that I guess, I don't know. I know my older son gets it. It just seems so strange to me to hear all of the movies over analyzed.

I'm totally with you. I'm not into analyzing things so much. We watch movies for entertainment and fun, not so much for the societal impact. If my dd ever asks about something, then we'll put it in language and terms she can understand, but until then, for her and us, IT'S A MOVIE!

 

[perdidochas]

I was talking with a friend of mine and she brought up the fact that she will never let her children watch Peter Pan again because after watching it her DD (3) was marching around everywhere proclaiming "We're out to catch an 'Injun'" etc.

I know many of these movies are 40-50 + years old and need to be taken in context, but that it a concept that is a little tough for preschoolers to grasp. Are there any Disney films you won't let your children watch and why? Or, are you like me, and you let them watch them but cringe through parts of Peter Pan or try to distract them during the "Roustabout" song in Dumbo?

No problem here with Disney films. Our main avoidance is "Sponge Bob" and any teen-oriented sitcom.

 

[perdidochas]

the only one I have ever had a issue with was Song of The South. It was re-released when my oldest was a preschooler and we got up and left during the movie. I had forgotten how racist it was.

I watched it recently, and I think you are totally off-base. First, (besides the cartoons), the least sympathetic characters are the white trash kids. Second, the most sympathetic character is Uncle Rhemus. Third, it shows blacks and whites in harmony, which is always a good thing.

 

[OneBlessedFamily]

I haven't had an objection to any Disney films until recently. I, too, am not someone that tends to analyze them too much. Then again, we really don't watch much tv either.

However, we have 2 children adopted from China, the oldest of whom is 6 and just came home in November. Some of the orphan references in many of the films are too much for her at this time. It's not to say that a year down the road or 2 years down the road it won't be okay....just right now we stay away from the "orphan" films.

We did pick up a copy of Mulan and Mulan 2 in China in Chinese, so that is a MAJOR favourite around here!

Mary

 

[ModestMouse]

My boys (DS8 and DS5) are very much into Jack Sparrow (they have action figures, posters, books--the ones about Jack as a kid stowaway, toys) but they have not seen the POTC movies. I think the skeleton effects in the first one would freak them out and the plot of the second would be too hard to follow (also not sure how they would react to Davy Jones and his charming tentacle face). But I'll look forward to enjoying the movies with them when they're a bit older. (I absolutely love the POTC movies, especially the first one.)

There are no other Disney movies we've kept from them.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

"Bra burnign feminists," as you put it, are the reason your DD have a choice to be like a princess or be a lawyer, doctor, mother, writer, or CEO. I think it is important at any age to realize that you are powerful and capable, not an image perpetuated by social norms. I think that you are right that they are role playing and having fun. I still let my girl do all the princessy stuff she wants...but I throw in substance and add the characteristics to the characters I wish they had. By the way....I haven't burned a bra yet....I need them to keep up my girls.

I'd burn my bra if I could! But after two babies: well, I don't think I better! I totally see what you are saying. My big beef is with people who will not allow their children to do fantasy role playing based on much too adult principles. I agree that girls of every age should know that they can be anything they want to be! But, if they want to be a princess when they are 5 years old: let them pretend to be a princess. It won't hurt anything! I personally don't believe it will stand in the way of them aspiring to be more than a damsel in distress. My 5 year old often times says she wants to grow up to be a princess. But she also wants to be a vet, teacher, and astronaut. Somedays, she also wants to be a bird!?! And she knows, that as her mother, I will support her in anything (within reason) that she wants to pursue. Except for being a bird. Don't see that one happening.
Oh, and I also consider myself to be a feminist, so I try to find the bravery, intelligence, and kindness that the princess posess. With some princesses, it's harder than with others!

 

[wen774]

My kids(4 and 6) can watch any Disney movie they want. Of course, we discuss any issues they might have, but honestly I cant think of many situation that has happened. I also let them watch Pirates...and Spiderman...and Spongebob...and Simpsons. I know those are not decisions other will agree with, but they are still wonderful, well-behaved, articulate, imaginative little people. On the other hand, I prefer that they dont watch Veggie Tales because of the religious aspect.

 

[snowman]

I would not let my kids watch Hercules (sp) because of more than one God

no I do not want that at all. Nor would I want to go out of my way to do any of the sort. We worship the one true God... Jesus

Wow, I thought you were kidding on the first comment. Does that mean you also don't let them watch Mulan because of the "ancestors"?

Carl is now 13, but even when he was small there was nothing he was forbidden to watch. Well, okay, I'll fess up - we did ban Barney the Purple Dinosaur just because we hate him, not because of any content.
Like many other families we use the movies as a jumping off point for discussion as well as entertainment. Carl has developed my habit for picking a movie to bits, but we get alot out of them.

Now, of course, he likes movies that creep me out or that I just hate, so he watches them with DSO or when he goes to visit his mother or grandmother.

 

[trennr]

.

 

[meeskamouska]

My DD is very creative also!!! She is often other characters and has numerous imaginary friends!!! The bird thing....been through that!!!!

I'd burn my bra if I could! But after two babies: well, I don't think I better! I totally see what you are saying. My big beef is with people who will not allow their children to do fantasy role playing based on much too adult principles. I agree that girls of every age should know that they can be anything they want to be! But, if they want to be a princess when they are 5 years old: let them pretend to be a princess. It won't hurt anything! I personally don't believe it will stand in the way of them aspiring to be more than a damsel in distress. My 5 year old often times says she wants to grow up to be a princess. But she also wants to be a vet, teacher, and astronaut. Somedays, she also wants to be a bird!?! And she knows, that as her mother, I will support her in anything (within reason) that she wants to pursue. Except for being a bird. Don't see that one happening.
Oh, and I also consider myself to be a feminist, so I try to find the bravery, intelligence, and kindness that the princess posess. With some princesses, it's harder than with others!

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I will admit there were a lot of things I noticed like what we're talking about when I was watching it with my son, that I never noticed before as a child or and adult watching the movies without him. And I agree with most of the disers that there is a very distinct line between fantasy and reality, or fiction and non-fiction.

With that said, I haven't let my son watch Dumbo because of Dumbo's drunk scene. The way the scene is depicted seems to make light of drunkeness. So we'll pass on that movie and others like that for now. He's to young right now to understand what alcohol is and what it can do to someone who abuses it.

 

[jenandkam]

Liberal's


Heaven forbid someone get offended.

"Liberals" isn't possessive - no apostrophe.

If you're going to generalize and insult an entire group of people, at least attempt to sound intelligent while doing it.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I'm was never really offended by any Disney movies...(well except Song of the South but although I own it, I don't really watch it)...BUT I do know that the local residential programs for kids (I'm a social worker) do not allow them to watch Lilo due to Cobra Bubbles.

 

[G8RFAN]

There are a lot of things in Dumbo that would not pass muster today. One day we are going to see Orwell's depiction come true when we start re-releasing movies with removal or changes to "offensive" scenes. I hope we don't go down that path. DW and I do have a pet peeve tho. My son somehow latched on to the word "stupid". We keep telling him it is a bad/ugly word to say but every popular Disney movie has it. Worse yet, there is a store next to his karate school called "stupid prices". We can't win.....