Ariel, Aurora, or Anna? Disney Princess Body Size as a Predictor of Body Esteem and Gendered Play in Early Childhood

This study explores the longitudinal effect of princess body size of children's favorite Disney princesses on young children's body esteem and gendered play over a 1-year period using a sample of 320 children, age 3½ at Time 1 and age 4½ at Time 2. Girls whose favorite princess had an aver...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology of popular media 2024-10, Vol.13 (4), p.591-602
Main Authors: Shawcroft, Jane, Gale, Megan, Coyne, Sarah M., Rogers, Adam A., Austin, Sarah, Holmgren, Hailey G., Zurcher, Jessica D., Brubaker, Pamela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Differences
Body Esteem
Body Size
Childhood Play Behavior
Early Childhood Development
Female
Human
Interpersonal Relationships
Male
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Summary:This study explores the longitudinal effect of princess body size of children's favorite Disney princesses on young children's body esteem and gendered play over a 1-year period using a sample of 320 children, age 3½ at Time 1 and age 4½ at Time 2. Girls whose favorite princess had an average body size engaged in more masculine-type play a year later, but there were no associations between princesses' body size and developmental outcomes for boys. Children whose favorite princess had an average body size showed a positive relationship between playing pretend princess and body esteem, masculine-type play, and feminine-type play. Children whose favorite princess was thin did not show a relationship between playing pretend princess and body esteem, masculine-type play, or feminine-type play. Our findings suggest that princesses with average body sizes create a protective context for children's body esteem and may encourage both masculine- and feminine-type play by modeling both masculine and feminine activities and behaviors. Public Policy Relevance StatementWhen children's favorite Disney princess was depicted with an average body size, playing pretend princess was associated with increased body esteem, and more masculine- and feminine-type play, while children whose favorite princess was depicted with a thin body size did not demonstrate these effects. This suggests that princesses with an average body size may create a protective context for children's development of body esteem and more diversity in children's play experiences.
ISSN:2689-6567
2689-6575
DOI:10.1037/ppm0000494