Team of Researchers Blames Children's Films for Perpetuating "Heteronormativity"

LifeSiteNews ^ | 6/24/09 | Kathleen Gilbert

[wagglebee]

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Researchers at the University of Michigan have concluded that the love stories told in classic Disney and other G-rated children's films – such as the Little Mermaid - are partially to blame for the pervasiveness of what they label "heteronormativity." 

"Despite the assumption that children’s media are free of sexual content, our analyses suggest that these media depict a rich and pervasive heterosexual landscape," wrote researchers Emily Kazyak and Karin Martin, in a report published in the latest issue of the Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) publication Gender & Society. 

Kazyak and Martin said they studied the role of heterosexual relationships in several of the highest-grossing G-rated films between 1990-2005. 

The results, say the researchers, illustrate two ways that the children's films "construct heterosexuality": through "depictions of hetero-romantic love as exceptional, powerful, transformative, and magical," and "depictions of interactions between gendered bodies in which the sexiness of feminine characters is subjected to the gaze of masculine characters."

"Characters in love are surrounded by music, flowers, candles, magic, fire, balloons, fancy dresses, dim lights, dancing and elaborate dinners," the researchers observed. "Fireflies, butterflies, sunsets, wind and the beauty and power of nature often provide the setting for - and a link to the naturalness of - hetero-romantic love."

The SWS press release on the research blamed what they called the "old ideals" of romantic relationships, specifically those found the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, which in many instances inspired the films' storylines, for "such heavily gendered depictions and glorified portrayals of heterosexual relationships."

The team says the results point to heterosexuality achieving a "taken-for-granted status" "because hetero-romance is depicted as powerful." 

"Both ordinary and exceptional constructions of heterosexuality work to normalize its status because it becomes difficult to imagine anything other than this form of social relationship or anyone outside of these bonds," they concluded.

"These films provide powerful portraits of a multifaceted and pervasive heterosexuality that likely facilitates the reproduction of heteronormativity."

The SWS press release concluded: "President Obama may have declared June to be Gay Pride Month, but entertainment for children therefore continues to perpetuate a less inclusive message, leaving those outside its confines with little to build their own dreams of happily ever after."

Sexuality expert Dr. Judith Reisman told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) yesterday that the "politically correct" study reveals "the growing dominance of Heterophobia within academia and the spread of heterophobes among female professionals."

"Now, if the Ladies of the Sociology Society think pornography is becoming the heteronorm and that Disney is contributing to that form of what is really Heterophobia, they might have an argument," Reisman noted. 

"However, the Ladies of the Sociology Society appear to favor Homoerotic child propaganda, as the current academic party line dictates."

[wagglebee]

"Both ordinary and exceptional constructions of heterosexuality work to normalize its status because it becomes difficult to imagine anything other than this form of social relationship or anyone outside of these bonds," they concluded.

What idiots! Heterosexuality IS NORMAL and there is no reason for Hollywood to pander to two or three percent of the population.

[wagglebee]

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[ChicagahAl]

"partially to blame for the pervasiveness of what they label "heteronormativity." "

When the political Left becomes more bizarre than the Onion, we are in deep doo-doo.

[Soothesayer]

Oh dear God please tell me this is just satire!

[Borges]

I’ve seen drivel like this in various academic sources.

[hecht]

how soon will it be that textbooks replace “dick and Jane “ with same sex characters?

[parsifal]

I always thought Ferdinand the Bull and Rudolph were covert homo stories. And Bartholomew and the 500 Hats?

parsy, who sees into things

[brytlea]

No, we simply live in Bizarro World now.

[Borges]

“”Now, if the Ladies of the Sociology Society think pornography is becoming the heteronorm and that Disney is contributing to that form of what is really Heterophobia, they might have an argument,” Reisman noted.”

What pornographic Disney films is Reisman talking about?

[DJ MacWoW]

Not only that but it's is the biological norm in order for our species to continue. These nuts may want to discount God but they're still hampered by science. Two of the same simulating sex is an oddity that results in a sterile relationship.

[Mrs. Frogjerk]

Oh man are these people out of it.

Yes it's all Walt Disney's fault. His movies are really what's behind prop 8.

Can you please tell me who in their right mind would have taken their child to see the Little Mermaid if it involved a romance between two mermaids or mermen?

Nobody would have! It would have invoked a firestorm of criticism. And rightfully so! Heterosexuality is normal. You don't have to go out of your way to illustrate that in a children's movie to make that so.

Man oh man, it's getting sicker out their everyday!

In the immortal words of Axl Rose”Welcome to the jungle, it's gets worser everyday!”

[Melas]

I’d pay money to see the box office receipts for “The Little Merboy”. It might earn hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars world wide.

[massmike]

I've always had my suspicions about these two....

[darkangel82]

You have to TRY to come up with something this blazingly stupid.

[G Larry]

Here’s a clue:

When the plumbing works, it’s “NORMAL”!

When the plumbing doesn’t work, it’S NOT “NORMAL”!

If THAT is confusing, evaluate FUNCTIONAL DESIGN!

[Vasilli22]

“Neal and Bob”??

[Melas]

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/women/graduate/gradbio.asp?ID=144

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/soc/directories/show-person.asp?PeopleID=27

[parsifal]

What the real problem is that half of all persons born have a penis while the other half do not. This is wrong. In a democracy, we either all ought to have one,or all not have one. It is the discrepancy between the haves and the have nots that is causing all these gender issues.

parsy, who is imagining the focus of the next researchers forum...

[Soothesayer]

I hope the world ends before Disney produces the first animated gay love story.

[edge10]

Considering Disney has stolen taken almost all their stories from traditional (read public-domain) stories, is it any wonder they have traditional values?