I always thought the Disney princes were more boring and passive than the princesses, and after all they were all supposed to get married, too. In fact, ALL of the modern Disney movies I’ve seen, whether the hero was male or female, had a strong romantic subplot married with a “quest” storyline. Another way to read the Disney princesses story arc is that even though the heroines wanted to go beyond their prescribed social roles, they ultimately found social acceptance without compromising their dreams. Marriage at the end of the movie doesn’t have to be read as the ultimate “goal” of the story–it can represent attaining social acceptance or the successful integration of “male” and “female” character traits.

I think there are valid feminist criticisms to make about traditional fairy tales, but the Disney movies are not the first cultural product I would aim at.

oops already done!