Classic Disney Movies Are Bad For Your Children Especially ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Says an Expert

Everybody loves Disney characters. Most of us grew up watching the animated movies seated on a couch, along with our family members or friends. As parents now, many of us are likewise taking the time to introduce these classics to our children. They’ve become traditions, so to speak.

There are, however, some experts who are saying that many of Disney’s older movies, actually contain negative messages not suited for younger viewers. Sounds ridiculous, you say? Well, read ahead and you’ll see what they mean.

In a PracticalParenting article, we are told that several experts actually believe that films such as “Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and The Lion King could actually promote unhealthy body image, racism and even domestic abuse.”

Dr Victoria Cann, a Humanities lecturer at University of East Anglia, even went as far as saying that Beauty and the Beast is the “most dangerous” movie from the company.

She said that Belle is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome (where a hostage develops a psychological alliance with their captor as a survival strategy).

According to her, Belle has Stockholm Syndrome, a condition wherein a hostage victim develops feelings of trust or affection towards a captor.

Dr Cann explained:

“This [movie] is the most dangerous because the Beast always feels on the verge of violence. It also gives the unnerving idea that if a woman perseveres long enough, she can change an angry partner.

“At the end, the beast then turns into this blonde-haired white man for another happy ever after, giving the idea that now he’s good looking, he can’t possibly be angry or threatening.”

Dr Cann likewise called out Aladdin, saying the film is obviously “racist” because all “good” characters have pale skin while the antagonists have darker skin.

Meanwhile, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were both kissed by guys while they were asleep – and that’s exactly not the message that we want the kids to absorb.

These stories “normalize men’s sense of entitlement over women’s bodies,” she pointed out.

Despite her attacks on the classics, Dr Cann has praises for newer blockbusters such as Frozen.

“This is a film where there are two female lead roles. It shows that love can take different forms and a woman does not need to be saved by a man,” she said.