The Evolution of the Female Action Figure: A Journey from Doll to Hero

Disney Princess Dolls

Princess dolls were, and are, equally as impactful on little girls as action figures were on little boys. The first princess doll was made in the late 1930's shortly after Disney's first princess movie, Snow White, came out but Disney did not start manufacturing Princess dolls until the late 1990's. The traditional Disney princess dolls are thin, have their hair and makeup done and all wearing dresses. The male dolls sold by Disney are all larger, more muscular, and come with swords or other weapons. Traditionally the original dolls were sexist and instilled in little girls heads that they were weaker, while instilling in little boys that they were more capable.

It was not until 2012 when Disney released the movie "Brave" that this begun to change. "Brave" is the first Disney movie that tells the story of a princess with no love interest. Her doll comes with a weapon and is unaccompanied by a prince figure. 

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:

This page has replies:

  1. Hey, I was reading the article and to be honest I don't see why the dolls were "sexist" until the Brave Doll came out. It's incredibly dismissive of the other princesses, especially because even the most romantic movies is not "women is worthless without her man" even in Cinderella her goal wasn't to marry a prince but to have a chance to get away from her hard life for just one night. I understand them being thin but that's more about them looking the the characters (even Merida is thin). Having weapons doesn't necessarily make a character capable or not. It's how they use them and Princesses like Merida and Mulan might wield a sword and bow and be amazing at it, but other characters like Snow White, their greatest super power is their quiet strength, just look at how she takes no nonsense from the dwarves when they try to get away eating with dirty hands. I am not saying it's bad to have warrior women without a love interest. I also love Merida and her movie. However I don't at all like saying the other princesses are weak and sexist in comparison because they aren't.
  2. Hey, I was reading the article and to be honest I don't see why the dolls were "sexist" until the Brave Doll came out. It's incredibly dismissive of the other princesses, especially because even the most romantic movies is not "women is worthless without her man" even in Cinderella her goal wasn't to marry a prince but to have a chance to get away from her hard life for just one night. I understand them being thin but that's more about them looking the the characters (even Merida is thin). Having weapons doesn't necessarily make a character capable or not. It's how they use them and Princesses like Merida and Mulan might wield a sword and bow and be amazing at it, but other characters like Snow White, their greatest super power is their quiet strength, just look at how she takes no nonsense from the dwarves when they try to get away eating with dirty hands. I am not saying it's bad to have warrior women without a love interest. I also love Merida and her movie. However I don't at all like saying the other princesses are weak and sexist in comparison because they aren't.
  3. Hey, I was reading the article and to be honest I don't see why the dolls were "sexist" until the Brave Doll came out. It's incredibly dismissive of the other princesses, especially because even the most romantic movies is not "women is worthless without her man" even in Cinderella her goal wasn't to marry a prince but to have a chance to get away from her hard life for just one night. I understand them being thin but that's more about them looking the the characters (even Merida is thin). Having weapons doesn't necessarily make a character capable or not. It's how they use them and Princesses like Merida and Mulan might wield a sword and bow and be amazing at it, but other characters like Snow White, their greatest super power is their quiet strength, just look at how she takes no nonsense from the dwarves when they try to get away eating with dirty hands. I am not saying it's bad to have warrior women without a love interest. I also love Merida and her movie. However I don't at all like saying the other princesses are weak and sexist in comparison because they aren't.