Why does Merida get so much hate, while other princesses get praised or unacknowledged for doing the exact same thing?

First, she had every right to disrespect her mother. The woman tried to force her into marriage! When Elinor changed her mind, they became friends again, and I think Merida was a little too forgiving. It would've taken me a lot longer to forgive someone for trying to sell me, but whatever. Anyway, she's in the lineup because she's a princess, so even though I don't really like the movie in general, I agree she shouldn't get so much hate. The reason people probably do though is just because "Brave" had a stupid storyline (in my opinion), no songs, and no romance, contrary to every other DP movie.

1. She's the newbie. Everyone thinks it's cool to pick on the new kid on the block.
2. (Most of) The other princesses have had years of childhood adoration to mask over flaws and actions. Merida has had a couple of months, and her actions and flaws are still fresh in our minds. Childhood nostalgia often influences peoples views.
3. I believe (though no one is really saying it) that some people are afraid Merida is going to replace their favourites in the line up (eg. Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan) as she has similar qualities to these other princesses.
4. Many, many, many, many fans did not want her to become a disney princess, because she is 'different' and 'not the same' compared to the other princesses. People don't like change. Merida is also Pixar, and doesn't do things like fall in love, or sing. People didn't like that.

I happen to love Merida, but I can see why some people are annoyed. The hate that she is getting is kind of rediculous though (sometimes even to a point where it is laughable how stupid it is). This is just my opinion, however.

Because older disney fans always hate on most new things, even downing movies before they come out...meanwhile little girls absolutely love her, her merchandise sales are very successful

Most people are pretty ticked off that she's Pixar. But why I hate her because I think that she's rude and she does what ever she wants and she reminds me off those people that on the sidewalk with their hats turned and baggy pants and are all like "swag bro, YOLO, #swag". Um yeah she just annoys me and I think people don't like her because she is new but she's to meh.

It's not really hate she's getting, people just point out that she doesn't belong to the DP lineup just like what you said, and yeah, it's not really a fair reason to hate on her. I think that's where most of the hate come from though.

I didn't know she was getting hate till now! I personally never hated her! When I saw the dvd covers, her pics on kids bags etc, I didn't like her at all coz I didn't find her pretty...she was a lil annoying 2 look at..Bt then I reminded myself I was being an idiot and that I shouldn't go on looks. When I saw the movie, I really liked it!
Ok so I hated how her mother was forcing her into marriage, and I hated how Merida would over-react at times and misbehave with her mom...But that's it...
I don't know why she would be "hated" js coz her story is a bit different and coz of the lack of romance in the movie...But then, wouldn't the hate be directed to the whole mivie and not just merida? ...
Maybe the haters, in facr, hate her COZ she's new, n they wanna stick 2 the older princesses?

Pretty much what AnimatedPaint said. I also always wonder the same thing about the classic princesses- why are they called stupid and weak while the newer ones' actions get called brave and strong? (IE Snow White taking the apple makes her an idiot, but Ariel selling her voice for a guy she doesn't know makes her brave and passionate; Cinderella not running away from home makes her a doormat but Belle not leaving for the adventure she always says she wants makes her loyal and strong; Aurora putting duty over desire makes her wimpy but Jasmine running away from responsibility makes her independent and free).

Most Disney fans, especially older ones, are complete hypocrites. I know we all are a bit hypocritical when it comes to our faves but a lot of the Renaissance fans irrationally excuse their faves for things they condemn the older ones for. The Renaissance Princesses are the "cool" girls and they get excused. Merida and the others don't deserve that, though, apparently.

And I for one am sick of it.

Overall though, I don't see Merida getting much hate but maybe I just haven't noticed. She rightfully gets called out sometimes for her selfish behavior but her accountability later on is sometimes ignored. I too hate how people constantly EXCUSE Ariel's and Jasmine's selfishness but hate on Merida for hers. Either excuse them all or excuse none!

We are talking about two separate issues...
One: Should "Brave" in the Line-Up...and independent from Merida, a lot of people think that it shouldn't be.
Two: Merida herself...and honestly, she gets exactly the same critic Jasmine and Ariel get. There is a reason why Jasmine and Ariel tend to be at the very bottom of the "best role model" countdown, and a reason why they are both not considered as feminist as for example Mulan. The difference is that nobody ever tried to sell Ariel or Jasmine is the somehow better Princess, the way they do with Merida. "She doesn't marry, she has a bow, she is so much more than those stupid glitter princesses they had so far". I guess that is mostly the point of contention.

I'm along the lines of what most people have already said. I think a lot of people just like to pick on the new kid. I remember when Tangled had just come out and Rapunzel got a lot of criticism for not being animated in the same way the other princesses were. I think it's a similar situation here. The older fans like to point out Merida's flaws and differences because they don't like change. They want continuity. I personally think Merida's flaws make her more human, and that her differences add diversity to the lineup. I also predict that as soon as Frozen comes out, Merida will suddenly be accepted and all the critical eyes will turn to Anna and Elsa.

Ariel and Jasmine are some of the most popular princesses. People just generally like the Renaissance princesses the best, and Merida is a modern princess. Also, I wouldn't say no one brigs it up (I know I do for Jasmine, and BelleAnastasia does for Ariel) but, again, since people generally like them, most don't dwell on it too much. Since people are more unhappy about Merida's inclusion, they feel free to look at her flaws and are more likely to acknowledge them.

I really didn't think she was unworthy of being a disney princess! I don't think her attitude was disrespectful so much as a cry for independence. I think disney wanted to make a more modern version of the disney princess which people could not criticize as being a sexist view of women. I loved her and the concept of the movie, plus all is resolved at the end :) But i see what you mean, she could be seen as a bit brash which is probably why some don't like her, plus she doesn't have the typical disney princess look, she looks quite normal in comparison to the others. please answer my question? :)