Disney princesses are bad for a girl's body image — and surprisingly positive for a boy's

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:

For girls, the effects aren't nearly so encouraging — instead, the likes of Cinderella and Snow White can represent "some of the first examples of the exposure to the thin ideal," said Sarah Coyne, a researcher at Brigham Young University. Exposure to the princesses also leads some children to nurture gender stereotypes, such as teacups being "only" for girls.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up