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."

[dead]

I honestly can't believe I just read that.

Do these idiots even know how humans propagate?

There's only one way to do that. And it's so freaking incredibly normal and fun.

Ha-ha!! Normal and fun. Normal and fun. Normal and fun. Butterflies and candles and sappy Disney music and romance. Normal and fun.

Deal with it, weirdos.

[parsifal]

Suspicions? I thought Bert and Ernie had already come out.

parsy, who strangely is thinking about the two mermaids mentioned above. . .

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I hate to sound so crass - but I think these two “researchers” need some sort of itch scratched that currently isn’t being scratched.

[Old Professer]

Wake me up when the homotoxic becomes heterocidal.

[massgopguy]

Disney didn’t create The Little Mermaid story. Hans Christian Anderson did.

[Vanders9]

I find it amazing that anyone felt the need to commission a study to find this out.

[Vanders9]

Already happened.

[Vanders9]

Already happened.

[Vanders9]

I dont think he is. I think he is speaking ironically.

[darkangel82]

A criminal waste of taxpayer dollars.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

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."

But, they have been "advertising" that there is no difference between hetro and homo love. So if that is true, why do they have a problem with this? They can make all of the gay cartoons they want, but very few are going to go see it.

[jagusafr]

Not only that but it’s is the biological norm in order for our species to continue.

There ya go, bein’ all logical and stuff...sheesh /sarc.

Colonel, USAFR

[usmcobra]

- 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."

Hello earth to researchers.......These are CHILDREN'S FILMS

What do they expect from Disney....."Bambi Fists Thumper"........

Oh wait That would be "homoeroticbeastialitnormativity"....

I have the sneaking suspicion this is a government funded research project to the tune of a couple of million dollars....

[DJ MacWoW]

There ya go, bein’ all logical and stuff...sheesh /sarc.

LOL!!

[Vanders9]

Traditional tales are good, because they have stood the test of time, by definition. Anyway, Disney puts a unique “twist” on all of them.

[elcid1970]

I wasn’t too sure about Disney’s Reluctant Dragon character, either.

Traipsing through meadows picking flowers ins’t very dragonlike JMHO.

Anyway, “heteronormativity” sounds perfectly OK to this healthy hetero.

Consider what a closed society the academaniacs who wrote this `study’ inhabit. And don’t go there after dark.

[Ramius]

Ohfertheluvva...

We even called them “Fairie Tales” and still they’re not happy?

[Bigg Red]

Oh, I am sure these two lesbians are there for one another....

[rockrr]

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."

You want "happily ever after"? Then reject deviant and abnormal sexual practices. Homosexuals are not happy. Giddy perhaps, and more and more often obnoxious, but not happy.

I'm constantly amazed at people who insist on tilting reality on its head and then complaining when it doesn't work out the way they expected.

[madamemayhem]

i am so sick of heterophobia.