The Gender Portrayal Evolution in Disney Movies

Chong, Shao Feng (2023) The Gender Portrayal Evolution in Disney Movies. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This research report studies the gender portrayal evolution in Disney movies and explores the interpretations of Malaysian youngsters regarding these portrayals. The study aims to investigate how audiences perceive and make sense of the changing gender representations in Disney films by applying Stuart Hall's Encoding or Decoding model as a theoretical lens. Through a comprehensive examination of the topic, the research seeks to shed light on the nuanced ways in which Malaysian youngsters understand and interpret gender portrayals in these the iconic animated films, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1953), The Little Mermaid (1989), Frozen (2013) and Moana (2016). To achieve the research objective, online questionnaires are used as a medium for quantitative data collection. The questionnaire survey was administered to a diverse sample of Malaysian youngsters, capturing their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about the gender portrayals towards the scenarios presented in the particular Disney films. The findings of this research demonstrate the complex nature of young audience responses to the gender portrayal evolution in Disney movies. It was discovered that Malaysian youngsters exhibit a range of interpretations, influenced by various factors that could be seen through the dominant, negotiated and oppositional positions of the model. While some participants acknowledged and appreciated the positive changes in gender representation, others expressed concerns about lingering stereotypes and limited portrayals. In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive exploration of the gender portrayal evolution in Disney movies through the lens of Malaysian youngsters. By examining the perceptions and interpretations of these audiences, the study offers valuable insights into the complex ways in which gender is portrayed and understood in old and recent Disney Films.