Conclusion
In conclusion, Disney has made some progress in moving toward a more post-feminist display of plots and characters. Many of the characters portray strong female leads who are looking for more than just a man to fulfill their lives, and better yet, don't need one. Other movies portray men in a more feminine and sensitive light, hopefully sending the message to young boys that femininity is okay. However, the ground it still must cover before all sexualities cannot be ignored. With minimal representation of anything beyond the gender binaries or heterosexuality, Disney still overall promotes heteronormativity to young audiences. Making a change in the messages we send to children could have a big impact on society as a whole so I think it is important that Disney make bigger and better efforts to keep up with the ever-changing social norms and start showing support by representing queers.
references
Course Readings:
o Katz, Jonathan. The Invention of Heterosexuality. New York: Dutton, 1995. Print.
o Klien, Nicole A. "Undressing the Hidden Curriculum: Sexuality Education and Middle School Literature." The Sexuality Curriculum and Youth Culture. Vol. 392. N.p.: Counterpoints, 2011. 288-302. Print.
o Seidman, Steven. "Theoretical Perspectives." Introducing the New Sexuality Studies. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2011. 3-12. Print.
o Tauches, Kimberly. "Transgendering." Introducing the New Sexuality Studies. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2011. 134-139. Print.
o Siegel, Carol. "The "Twilight" of Sexual Liberation: Undead Abstinence Ideology." The Sexuality Curriculum and Youth Culture. Vol. 392. N.p.: Counterpoints, 2011. 261-76. Print.
o Luschen, Kristen V. "Survival, Protection, and Forgiveness: Examining gendered violence and care in the Hunger Games Trilogy." The Sexuality Curriculum and Youth Culture. Vol. 392. N.p.: Counterpoints, 2011. Print.
Current event articles:
o Nikolas, Akash. "It's Not Just Frozen That Has Been Subtly Pro-gay." The Atlantic. N.p., 23 Apr. 2014. Web. http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/its-not-just-frozen-disney-has-always-been-subtly-pro-gay/361060/
o Gilbert, Kathleen. "Team of Researchers Blames Children’s Films for Perpetuating “Heteronormativity”." LifeSiteNews.com. N.p., 24 June 2009. Web. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/team-of-researchers-blames-childrens-films-for-perpetuating-heteronormativi
o Stetoodeh, Ramin. "Meryl Streep Blasts Walt Disney at National Board of Review Dinner." Variety. N.p., 08 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. http://variety.com/2014/biz/awards/meryl-streep-blasts-walt-disney-at-national-board-of-review-dinner-1201035989
Scholarly sources:
o Gilliam, Ken, and Shannon R. Wooden. "Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar." Journal of Popular Film and Television (2008): 2-8. Print. https://he213.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/gilliam202620wooden.pdf
o Zornado, Joseph L. "Children's Film as Social Practice." CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 10.2 (2008): 1-10. Purdue University Press. JSTOR. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1354&context=clcweb
o Martin, Karin, and Emily Kazyak. "Hetero-Romantic Love and Heterosexiness in Children’s G-Rated Films." Gender and Society 23 (2009): 315-36. Digital Commons. SAGE Publications, 21 Apr. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1164&context=sociologyfacpub