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Thanks to Princesslullaby's recent poll questions, I ended up looking at my own childhood vs. each Disney Princess's childhood. Some of this is just painful for me, and there is no getting around that.

My categories of adverse childhood situations (some with severe adverse conditions) are based on evaluation from the domestic violence class I took. I'll be frank. I have my own dissociation/childhood trauma.


This is an article where I'm defining where I'd group categories of adverse childhood experiences, specifically for the Disney Princesses. I'll also add in how each princess copes with their where-I-was-born dilemma.

Ariel and Rapunzel are right close together, because they just share the border between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting. Those parenting styles are similar, but are not the same.


Severe and Pervasive Childhood Oppression-- the Authoritarian Parenting Style

Cinderella, Snow White, and Ariel receive this slot.

Cinderella

Cinderella becomes a slave in her own home. With her parents both dead, her stepmother treats her like dirt. Cinderella has the most "hope in her heart" next to Snow White. Cinderella copes by daydreaming and dreaming of a life free of her tormentors.

Snow White

Snow White is first shown in rags, and is mopping the stairs of the castle. I don't know how she ended up as a slave, but with both parents dead, and another evil stepmother in place... Snow is basically impoverished, with one good dress, and one that is rags. Stepmother tries multiple times to kill this girl. Snow copes by singing songs, by praying, and by doing her own pastimes: cleaning and baking.

Ariel

Ariel is first shown exploring a shipwreck, and saving her best friend Flounder from a shark. The very next scene we get featuring Ariel is one in which she gets scolded by the court conductor, Sebastian, and reprimanded by her father for forgetting to show up at a concert. It seems like both the court conductor and Ariel's dad each are insulted and embarrassed by Ariel's behavior, and so the two of them "decide between them" that Ariel requires CONSTANT SUPERVISION. This "constant supervision thing" is Sebastian's idea, first, but King Triton wholeheartedly agrees with it, and this set-up soon predominates Ariel's whole existence under the sea. Sebastian is tracking Ariel's every move. It's Sebastian who sells out Ariel by divulging that she saved a human and is keeping a grotto of human detritus. Ariel copes by singing to herself, collecting what debris she can find, and generally trying to remain upbeat in a restrictive atmosphere. However, for her pains, Ariel is yelled at for her forgetfulness and curiosity; her father uses his trident and violently destroys her collection to "get through to her" that all humans are awful, and that he protects her by dominating her life. I find "constant supervision" stultifying to a person. This should be applied only to someone who is around 5 years old or less. Ariel is not 5 years old in the original 1989 film.
Constant supervision is not something a sixteen year old wants, and most psychologists will tell you, that parents who "set-up" this authoritarian parenting style are actually implementing abuse.


Less Severe, but Extremely Problematic Parenting Styles-- halfway between Authoritarian and Authoritative

Rapunzel

Rapunzel is kidnapped soon after birth because her parents used/stole an enchanted flower that belonged to a witch named Gothel to prevent Rapunzel's mother from dying in childbirth. Gothel decides that in retribution for what was "stolen" from her, she will do the stealing, too. So Gothel sneaks in and steals their child away... which is similar to the original Rapoince tale where Rapoince's father steals this type of lettuce from the witch's garden to prevent his wife from dying, and in trade, the witch steals the daughter from the parents. So, Rapunzel's folks are partly to blame for what happened to Rapunzel even in the Disney version. Afterward, Punzie grows up isolated in a tower, provided with every material thing she could want from Gothel, save seeing another face that isn't Gothel's. Punzie sings, paints, plays chess, sews, cooks, makes candles, reads, and tracks the stars. Punzie dresses up her chameleon, Pascal, to get a practical joke or two. These are Punzie's coping mechanisms, along with seeing "the lights" every year on the same day. Punzie is most curious about the lights, and THIS is the part where she feels DISSATISFIED. Otherwise, Punzie doesn't see her life as horrible, and this is rooted in her own ignorance resulting from Gothel's situational manipulation, and this is also partially because Gothel hasn't been a helicopter parent on Punzie, nor reduced Rapunzel to direct servitude. It's Pascal who attempts to leave the tower first, and Punzie scoops him up before he can get too far out the window. Rapunzel feels BORED and wonders "when will my life begin?" But is she tormented? I have seen children who were tormented individuals (as I am a nurse), and I can tell you that no, Rapunzel is not acting like a tormented adolescent. Finally, deviating from the warped fairy-tale, Disney introduces Flynn/Eugene who stumbles on Punzie's tower while running from a heist-gone-bad. And it is Rapunzel who ties Flynn up and DEMANDS that he take her to see the lights if he wants the "crown object" back. Gothel is abusive in creating an environment that preys on Rapunzel's gullibility and ignorance. But compared to someone who is under constant supervision for every choice ( which is what is going on with Ariel)--- this is not so with Rapunzel. Gothel visits Rapunzel once a week, if that. And Rapunzel doesn't get told that her priorities are wrong. Gothel has "one rule" for Rapunzel, while Triton's law on humans was more like 5 rules disguised to deter dissent. I see Rapunzel as a victim of both her parents stupid choice to steal a plant, and as Gothel's equally stupid retaliation move to prevent age deterioration. But when I think about Rapunzel's actual day-to-day existence, Rapunzel's day-to-day life is more like Merida's and Jasmine's: little on the excitement part, and big on the tedium. Gothel never gives Rapunzel constant supervision. Rapunzel hides Flynn before/and while Gothel is there. Rapunzel herself is good at withholding things she doesn't want her pseudo-stepmom to know. Even the Rapunzel in the original tale hid the ladder she was making to escape the tower. The Rapunzel in Disney's tale and in the original has agency, and she makes her own choices. She is not being supervised and bullied 24/7.


Merida

Merida's mother is strict. Merida doesn't get "a day all of her own" until the end of the week, as it were. Most of the time Elinor is trying to groom Merida to become the next Queen of Dunbroch. Merida doesn't like this, and balks at every opportunity. Merida copes with her mother's restrictive schedule on her life, by using the bleep out of her "one day a week personal time" to do everything from archery to climbing the firefalls. Elinor is strict, but she isn't sneakily abusive like Gothel, nor is she constantly supervising Merida's whereabouts like Triton does to Ariel through Sebastian. I don't like Elinor initially, because she's so prim and stuck-up, but she does less harm to Merida than Gothel and King Triton do to Punzie and Ariel.

Jasmine


She's confined to the palace. She is restricted by location and by the fact that she has to marry a prince. Jasmine's options in suitors irritate her, and she chafes at being "a prize to be won." But Jas has a better life than Rapunzel and Merida, because the sultan, her father, is never purposely sneaky nor purposely restrictive. He also does not send someone to watch Jasmine 24/7, and leaves her largely to herself. Jasmine copes... by having Rajah nip and bite playfully at her suitors. That's the bonus for having a tiger for a pet.


Mulan

Chinese culture was restrictive and obligated women to become wives. Mulan isn't confined to the house like Rapunzel is, doesn't seem to have a rigid schedule like Merida, and doesn't have a designated row of suitors pushed up in her face like Jasmine. However, Mulan doesn't have the freedom to be herself and to make her own choices, which is societal and which her parents are reinforcing. The good thing is that Mulan isn't being watched 24/7 either, which is why she could get away with cheating and painting verses on her arm as a method to try to pass the matchmaker's exam. Mulan mopes and sings when coping with her situation. I don't see her doing a lot else in the movie with coping, at least not until she decides to try to prove herself.


The Best Childhoods Among The Disney Princesses-- halfway between Authoritative and Permissive

Aurora

The movie seems to show that Aurora hardly received a stern word from Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Aurora views these women as "my three nosy aunts," but doesn't seem to feel that they are undeniably restrictive, and who watch her every movement. In fact, the three fairies send Aurora out all by herself on her sixteenth birthday to collect berries. That doesn't sound like King Triton's constant supervision of Ariel, nor Rapunzel's "one limitation rule," nor Merida's strict schedule of activities, nor Jasmine's palace ennui, nor Mulan's societal expectation. Aurora has more freedom....now that I consider it...than a lot of the princesses have had. And I did not realize this before. How far did Aurora roam in the forest during all of her childhood? She seems pretty darn familiar with her surroundings. Aurora copes with her pervasive loneliness by using sly humor, singing to herself, and dreaming at night of her "mysterious stranger."

Belle

With the exception of her mother dying in Paris ( or somewhere) during Belle's youth when she was probably 3 or 4, Belle doesn't seem to have had any horrible experiences. Maurice, her father, moved them to "the poor provincial town" where Belle feels disgust and irritation at her neighbors because she is seen as "the oddball" for not chasing around and flirting with guys, and wanting to read instead. Belle doesn't hit adversity until Maurice gets himself lost and jailed by the local Beast. And then Belle offers her freedom for her father's life. Right up until this half of Belle's existence ( beast capture) she hasn't had anybody abuse her, nor restrict her, and the societal expectations in her village she willingly defies without much blow-back ( whereas in Mulan's case it brought shame). I don't see Belle being watched 24/7 by Maurice, and Belle only gets the 24/7 treatment when she ends up surrendering her freedom to the abusive beast. Belle copes by reading everything in the local bookstore, and singing about her favorite book. Belle is just lonely, like Aurora, and they both are outsiders occupying time until they eventually find the life they are seeking. Belle's childhood was not horrible in any way. It was somewhat sad, actually, because of the death of a parent, but that death did not translate into abuse from Maurice, as did happen in Cinderella's case, in Snow's case, and in Ariel's case.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas goes "wherever the wind takes her." Powhatan seems like he has not decided to restrict Pocahontas at all. Powhatan has given Poca complete freedom to speak her mind. Powhatan respects Poca enough. He is extremely gentle when asking her to assume her mantle as the next leader of her people. Poca takes a while to figure out who she is, but her father doesn't stop her from finding her own path. Powhatan is not monitoring Pocahontas 24/7, reducing his daughter to a slave, or demanding that she marry Kocoum right away. He doesn't want war, but he does want to see that there is safety for his daughter, his tribe, and peace for his land. He's an example of a good dad.


Tiana

Tiana wins this weird childhood countdown. Tiana has the best childhood Disney has crafted in a long time. Maybe, it's the best childhood since Bambi (before Bambi's mother died). I don't ever see Tiana's parents scolding her, restricting her movements, or denying her the things she loves to do (cooking). Tiana's dad is exceptional. He is so engaging, so humorous, so instantly likeable that it physically hurts me when Disney yanks him out of the picture. :( The only damper on Tiana's life is the death of her dad and his dream. The Segregation of Blacks in the South of 1920s New Orleans, Louisiana is a further backdrop to Tiana's personal pain. Tiana's father dies when she is sixteen ( I'm guessing? Because Tiana looks like she is 19 in the movie or something, same age as Cinderella). The plot kicks in afterward, and Tiana becomes a grieving and very angry adult. But Tia's dad and mom never mistreated her, and she has insanely good memories of her family life.



This is my deduction from seeing each princess’s situation in their movies, and watching each one cope with the situation into which they were born. Though I have experienced emotional trauma myself, I don't think each princess really had it that easy. I don’t think every princess had the worst childhood, either. Likewise, I don’t think every princess had the best childhood. Some childhoods were right smack dab in the middle and isolating, but these—in my view-- sidestepped being marked by episodes of outright punishment, volatility, and slavery.

Leave thoughts below. Thanks. And until next time...
posted by AudreyFreak
Yes, my MBTI posts are back! I've studied the cognitive functions a lot more so they'll be a little different. I have many other Disney MBTI posts ready on my link so I'll be posting more soon.



Introverted Sensing (Si): Though Belle says she wants excitement and adventure, she never actually does anything about it. She stays in town, performing the same routine every day: go into town, get books, read them, do some chores around the house. It bores her, but it's what she knows and is comfortable with. Later, she eventually falls into the same routines, reading, taking walks, feeding the...
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The Irish Lads
The Irish Lads
Hi guys, since I had done for Enya and Kenny G, here is another list of Disney princesses favourite Pop songs, only this time it is Westlife songs.

1) My Love

Snow White, Aurora and Cinderella will definitely sing to this to their respective princes. I absolutely fall in love with this song, and the lyrics is perfect for the 3 princesses.

2) Obvious

Talking from Prince Eric's point of view, he first meets Ariel and she could not talk due to a deal with Ursula earlier on. Eric finds her obvious first until her voice came back at the end!

3) Soledad/ If I Let You Go

Again, talking from the Beast/...
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added by PrincessFairy
Source: Disney
Welcome to the results of the countdown for Which Disney Princess Has the Best Speaking Voice. This poll was so much fun to work on! Thanks to all the people who participated in it. I'm so sorry, but I decided to only chose three comments from every poll and try to fit any further opinions into my paragraphs. Also, I've shortened a few comments, because for some reason my mind really isn't comfortable with the longer comments. Now, without any further ado, let's look at the outcomes.

11. Snow White

Snow White went out very quickly, with users claiming that her voice is much too high to be likable....
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added by KataraLover
Source: ME
1.Blue top and pants
1.Blue top and pants
We are going to a whole new world with you as we talk about Jasmines clothing in Aladdin. The Renaissance has shown us a wide range of different and much larger wardrobe than before and jasmine is no exception.

1.Blue top and pants
Princess Jasmine starts of in her palace on her own wearing a blue crop top and thick blue pants with blue flats gold necklace and large earrings. The outfit is perfect for the time and place it's set. Her hair is either ponytailed with head band or fully loose. I prefer the headband and ponytails myself feels more Arabian.
9/10

2.Brown cloth and brown overall
Not sure...
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Here are the results of Countdown for The SCARIEST DP Villain. The list is a result of the countdown done by fans. I tried to include at least one comment from everyone, to let the fans show their opinions and I do apologize if I didn't include your's. I also added my own opinion to the descriptions, but it's just my opinion so feel free to disagree.

Enjoy!

11. Gov. Ratcliffe
I wasn't surprised to see Ratcliffe leave first. Personally I've never cared for him, he just seems like spoiled brat to me. But even his fans don't find him all that threatening.


He's more like Hans. They both are...
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added by bearnaked15
Source: Bear
added by bearnaked15
Source: Bear
I know this is a touchy topic, so I've tried to tread it in the best way I could! It is not my intention to offend anyone or misrepresent this topic, so if I did I'd love to improve on it and fix my mistakes. I hope you enjoy reading!

For a group of people that claim to be supporting of all women and their ventures, the mistreatment that the classic princesses very often get from them is rather surprising. To a majority of feminists, the women they are catering to is the new-age, I can do it all superwoman. They believe that all women should fit into that box and if they don't, they're deprived,...
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added by KataraLover
Source: ME
posted by WinterSpirit809
I am bored and it's been a while since I've written a non-poll based article, so why not? Just so you know, I am not going to make their professions crap like "fast food worker" or "housekeeper", because that would be kind of unfair. I will do things based on their talents.

This is entirely MY OPINION, so don't get upset if we differ, though I've never really had any problems with people on here.

Snow White: Zoologist






A zoologist is someone who studies animals in their natural habitat, something that I believe would be the perfect job for Snow White. Snow is obviously an animal person so...
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posted by MaidofOrleans
Sorry it took me so long to finish this countdown. I just got lazy I guess haha. I did this countdown because while there have been multiple "Best Kiss" countdowns I have never seen the "Almost Kisses" get much appreciation. I think they are cute and suspenseful, so I thought I would give them the spotlight for once. Here are the results, compiled for your enjoyment. :)

9. Tiana and Naveen's 1st Almost Kiss

It's no surprise this kiss left first. It's the only one here that isn't romantic in the slightest, since Tiana doesn't even want to kiss him and she's only doing it to get her restaurant....
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added by hoangdinh5x
posted by sweetie-94
Since it's Valentine's Day soon I decided to write a few articles relating to that and I decided to do a list of my favorite DP Couples, fittingly enough the last time I did this list was around this time last year, since then my list has changed a slight bit. Hope you'll like this article

11. Mulan & Shang

Imo they're more best friends than a couple, their first meeting is hilarious though and I love how Mulan isn't afraid to show off her feelings for Shang in a subtle way and how Shang chose to not kill Mulan despite the fact that women wheren't allowed in the army, it shows that...
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I know we've probably had an excess of these over the last few months, but I don't care. In my humble opinion, there can never be too many articles defending Walt's girls. I believe Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora just as much praise and recognition as any of the Modern or Renaissance princesses. The three classic Princesses receive a large amount of criticism. They include "weak", "passive", "need a man to save them", "boring", "do nothing", "need a man to save them", among others (that last reason is so incredibly stupid and sexist). These "arguments" are beyond cliché, mind-numbing,...
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Hey everyone! The classic Disney films had such a knack for capturing the splendor and wonder of magic so I thought I'd rate all the DP films to see which ones are the most magical.
For this, I took the 5 most likely elements of magic in the Disney Princess films and added 1 category for the awareness of each 6 elements. This is because the more prominent magic would be in a story (or the world in the story), the more people should be aware of the magic as it would be hard to miss. Here are the 12 put together:

1. Magical Powers- Meaning that magic can be done without the use of items (like wands)...
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Hi everyone!

Recently, I posted a question asking fans to list five personality traits most desirable in a Disney princess. My traits poll, which was going to be the foundation of this article, was based on TheMusicalMolls' list of traits; the first response. I didn't bother to check my question again for other responses, but when I returned to my question after I posted the poll, I was surprised to see that more fans had bothered to answer my question. At that point, it was only a handful of people, and since I found their lists highly similar to TheMusicalMolls', I let it be. I hope I didn't...
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Here's my quick ranking on original DP films in part 1 of this article series. Part 2 will follow with all the sequels, prequels and shorts. Hope you'll enjoy it!

12. Princess and the frog:
I found the script to be very lazily written, with no wow moments to remember and no surprising twists. The movie crawled at deathly slow pace, making me skip scenes in between. The animation was pretty average with nothing memorable except a few scenes in bayou and death of Dr. Facilier. I found the sett ups to be unflattering and lacked the Disney magic feel to it. The best set-up from the entire movie was...
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