Interview With The Mother

When I spoke to my mother about how Disney women are portrayed as the perfect women and how it gives young girls in todays society the idea of what to be like she told me "that sounds interesting" and went back to talking to others. But when I told her an implication which it has on society, of how the perfect women is being portrayed as is wrong and sexist, followed by me showing her a glade air freshener commercial and pointing out that its all women till the man comes home from work she instantly realised what is happening and how terrible it is.
Personally I couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed the sexism and portrayal of the perfect women on TV adverts all the time but that was what made me realise that these ideas and stereotypes are snuck into the media we watch. Almost like brainwashing. They are powerful in the most simple form.
Here is an interview with my mum on her thoughts of how women are portrayed in todays society.

Have you ever thought that the way the perfect or ideal women is thought of in todays society is connected to media? 
Yes, I think it puts more expectations on women to not only walk but also to keep the house at its best and the children well behaved and looked after.

What is your idea of the perfect women?
Probably someone who is succesful in their job as well as being able to look after their home in an organised way and having time to bring up their children successfully. Well looking all the time, dressed appropriatly for the occasion, never stressed and always under control.

How often do you notice sexism in TV commercials?
Quite often. Not only the women in household ads but also in the beer ads where the men are drinking and relaxing.

What did you think when I pointed out the fact that they were all women in the ad throughout the day till the man got home (supposedly from work)?
I was thinking that they all look like the perfect housewives and the beautifuly clean house with the beautifully dressed women and well behaved children.

Do you think Disney Princesses affect the way the perfect women is thought of?
Maybe. Because they look like they are the perfect women.

How?
They look the same as the women in the ad, they are beautiful groomed and talented.

Do you think that, as the target audience of Disney Princess films is younger girls, these girls grow up with the idea of how to be a perfect women just like say Cinderella? 
Perhaps, I think they could grow up wanting to be beautiful and perfect like a princess and wanting to be treated like a princess.

Do you agree with the way women are portrayed in Disney Princess films?
Even though they are portrayed as beautiful and talented they are also portrayed as weak and needy wanting men to come and save them. Whereas in modern days we need to learn that as women we are strong enough to look after ourselves.

What do you think we can do as a society to help make the idea of the perfect women more even handed?
From school upwards to treat girls as equally as we do boys.