Depictions of gender in media are often scrutinized for stereotypical patterns. Disney films are of particular interest, as they are often watched by children and may play a role in children’s gender socialization. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to assess gender depictions of characters in animated Disney films (released between 1937 and 2019; 61 films with 323 characters total), and second, to explore depictions of gender in Disney animated films coupled with an analysis of the gender of those involved in the production of these films (producers, directors, and writers). We found a significant difference in the number of male and female characters (roughly 60% male, 40% female), which did not significantly differ by decade. Female characters were more consistently depicted as attractive compared to male characters, although character’s intelligence, ability, popularity, activity level, family role, story role, and romantic engagement did not differ by gender. Male characters were more often represented as parents or children in films written by women, and female characters were more often represented as the antagonist in films written by men. Male characters were over-represented as overly active in films produced by women, and female characters were over-represented as grandparents in films produced by women. These findings revealed few stereotypical gendered depictions of characters in Disney films over nine decades and that the inclusion of women in the production process resulted in more nuanced depictions of both male and female characters.

媒体中对性别的描述经常被仔细审查以寻找刻板印象。迪斯尼电影特别有趣，因为它们经常被儿童观看，并且可能在儿童的性别社会化中发挥作用。本文的目的有两个：首先，评估迪士尼动画电影（1937 年至 2019 年间上映；61 部电影，总共 323 个角色）中角色的性别描绘；其次，探索迪士尼动画电影中的性别描绘以及分析参与这些电影制作的人（制片人、导演和编剧）的性别。我们发现男性和女性角色的数量存在显着差异（大约 60% 男性，40% 女性），十年间没有显着差异。与男性角色相比，女性角色更一致地被描绘成有吸引力，尽管角色的智力、能力、受欢迎程度、活动水平、家庭角色、故事角色和浪漫订婚没有因性别而异。在女性编剧的电影中，男性角色更多地表现为父母或孩子，而在男性编剧的电影中，女性角色更多地表现为反派。男性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度活跃，而女性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度代表为祖父母。这些发现揭示了九年来迪斯尼电影中对角色的刻板性别描述很少，并且在制作过程中包含女性导致对男性和女性角色的更细致入微的描述。和浪漫的订婚并没有因性别而异。在女性编剧的电影中，男性角色更多地表现为父母或孩子，而在男性编剧的电影中，女性角色更多地表现为反派。男性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度活跃，而女性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度代表为祖父母。这些发现揭示了九年来迪斯尼电影中对角色的刻板性别描述很少，并且在制作过程中包含女性导致对男性和女性角色的更细致入微的描述。和浪漫的订婚并没有因性别而异。在女性编剧的电影中，男性角色更多地表现为父母或孩子，而在男性编剧的电影中，女性角色更多地表现为反派。男性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度活跃，而女性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度代表为祖父母。这些发现揭示了九年来迪斯尼电影中对角色的刻板性别描述很少，并且在制作过程中包含女性导致对男性和女性角色的更细致入微的描述。男性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度活跃，而女性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度代表为祖父母。这些发现揭示了九年来迪斯尼电影中对角色的刻板性别描述很少，并且在制作过程中包含女性导致对男性和女性角色的更细致入微的描述。男性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度活跃，而女性角色在女性制作的电影中被过度代表为祖父母。这些发现揭示了九年来迪斯尼电影中对角色的刻板性别描述很少，并且在制作过程中包含女性导致对男性和女性角色的更细致入微的描述。