Ariel's not a damsel at all to me. Sure she needs help sometimes but she's capable of saving herself and others, heck she saves her prince's life twice and kills the evil minions. In the TV series and the third movie Jasmine is really heroic and not a damsel but in the original she's a real damsel.

^ I have to agree. In the TV series and third movie, Jasmine kicks butt but not so much in her original movie.

Neither of them are damsels at all but she seems to be a bit closer to being one in my opinion.

I agree with KataraLover as well.

What shanyuisboss said. Both have been seen to take care of themselves and others, and at least attempt to save others, while Ariel has been more successful. Both need help in certain situations, just like their loves, but they can do some things on their own. Ariel is a bit less so than Jasmine but if we include the sequels and series', these two are the most behind Mulan and Tiana

Jasmine. Ariel didn't need saving in the first movie and she acted equally with Eric. She is certainly, in my opinion, more of a girly girl (I mean that in a positive way) when compared to Jasmine, but Jasmine was the one being threatened and kidnapped in her movie. Ariel was willing to step outside what was comfortable.
While Jasmine was certainly brave and a better fighter, she was also less confident in many ways.

Jayden-G couldn't say it any better myself. Though I think if we count the sequels they're more capable than Tiana but not more capable than Mulan.

Jasmine is never able to get herself out of a situation she gets herself into- at least Ariel was a part of it and tried to help, Jasmine is more on the sidelines.

saintaqua- ariel did need help, eric and her dad both rescued her from ursula.
jasmine acts all tough and independent and people act like the three first princesses are weak helpless dormats but when your honest about it, jasmine is the one who needs rescuing the most..

Similar to Megara, Jasmine acts all independent, but actually needs to be saved by someone else.

She's completely a damsel in distress for half to the end of the movie.

But, jasmin doesn't act all tough and independent. She is tough and independent. If she was 'acting' all big and bad, then she would just be talking the talk and not walking the walk.