Much fuss has been made about the negative effect stick-thin Disney princesses might have on young girls, and a newly published study reported by New York confirms such results. But in an intriguing break from the usual research, the study also found that Disney princess media — movies, books, T-shirts, etc. — might actually have a positive effect on how young boys perceive themselves:
Though the gendered stereotypes were found in both boys and girls, the study found that when it comes to body image, Disney princesses have a positive effect for boys. "These beneficial effects suggest that princesses provide a needed counterbalance to the hyper-masculine superhero media" that boys usually encounter. [New York]
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The Week contest: Undressed weddingPuzzles and Quizzes
-
'Why would anyone look to the United States as a model?'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Kristi Noem and the politics of puppy killingTalking Point Revelations in Republican's upcoming memoir may have doomed her political career
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
