Probably because they don't have to do the same thing everyday? And because they are their hobbies? I don't think cleaning and cooking were Rapunzel's hobbies. What she loved most were adventures and arts, those were her hobbies. She just had to spend her time somehow. The thugs would be bored too if their like was always a routine. And nobody ever talked bad about Rapunzel for the fact that she cooks, cleans and sews.

Exactly. If men and women are truly equal, then having these hobbies should either be good for both men and women, bad for both men and women or neutral for both men and women. It shouldn't be portrayed as good for one but bad for the other; it's kind of screwed up.

Also, I hate how they sort of portrayed it as being humorous, that these men had girly hobbies, whereas in Mulan when she joins the army it is portrayed as serious and empowering. What also sucks is how the thugs are supposed to be scary and intimidating at first, but when they reveal their more feminine hobbies, they're more "human" and kind.

I never heard of this before, and I honestly don't see anything wrong with Rapunzel having these hobbies. Although her favorite thing to do is painting...

I don't think that Rapunzel's hobbies are ever portrayed in a negative light. She's bored of the monotony, is all. I have no idea where this question came from, because it has never seemed like that to me.

I just noticed that the article you cited is from a website called "Ladies Against Feminism". That's just upsetting. Of course a misguided site like that is going to draw stupid conclusions about Tangled. Ugh.

I think you are misunderstanding the song. Rapunzel doesn't wonder "When Will My Life Begin?" because she bakes, sews, knits, make candles, etc. No, she wonders so because these things are ALL SHE DOES EVERYDAY OF HER LIFE. As she says, this is "the usual morning line up" and she's "stuck in the same place I've always been".

She loves her hobbies and has developed her talents the most she could with such limited resources, but it's time to make her own decisions (because these things are in esssence Gothel's attempts to keep her pet content and submissive) and to explore the outside world. And the thugs are empowering, because it's extremely rare for male characters to have "feminine" interests in fiction. If they do, they are usually gay (who are also scarcely found).

I don't think that's what Rapunzel was referring to. I don't think she had a problem with her habits or what she does in her in tower. She just wants to be able to go outside and experience the world around her, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like other things she does. And I think she is empowered by knowing how to do all those things. They are useful skills. As for the part about the thugs in the movie I think it was more able judging people on their appearance.

I agree with what others have said, Rapunzel loved her hobbies, painting especially, but she "wanted more". She was trapped in a life of doing the same things over and over again and had no future or human interactions and that was the issue.

I completely agree with Silverrose.

^

"If they were misguided, they'd be supporting it like I did in my teens (well, some aspects). they back up their beliefs with reason and sources (instead of reciting myths like the more misguided feminists do). People should actually read their arguments before judging them for being different, which is, ironically, misguided. they're a good site."
Nope, I visited it and it didn't struck me as a healthy, intelligent site. I don't approve of fundamentalist thinking, especially when it is mingled with politics.

"and yes, my point is that is EXACTLY what many women do- work at home every day. That's been done since the dawn of time. and yet the movie portrays it as having no life."
Sure, but these women usually go outside and have a life outside of family (such as friends besides a chamaleon). And I think you're still missing the point of the song: Rapunzel doesn't want to be copped up and follow a schedule her entire life. She wants to experience the world and human contact, which also gives her an opportunity to further improve her skills.

Tangled isn't about her only having two options, though. It's about a young woman growing up and experiencing life outside the home for the first time. Most people eventually DO leave home for college, road trips, study abroad opportunities, and so on, and learning to get by without one's parents is an important life lesson.

That is what Tangled is about. It doesn't force her into one of two options; that's just how her storyline plays out. Rapunzel needed to get out of the house for the first time, which she had been dying to do for years. She's escaping from Mother Gothel's control, not a life of girly hobbies.

With the thugs and their girly hobbies, it's a classic case of not judging a book by its cover. Even mean-looking men can have sensitive sides. That's the entire point of the song. People should be free to chase their dreams, whether it's seeing the floating lanterns, becoming a concert pianist, finding love, owning an island and being rich, or whatever. Tangled is about following through on your dreams, just like Cinderella!

Honestly, other Audrey, I'm not trying to offend you or anything. Clearly we disagree on feminism and whether or not Snow White is a likeable character. :) I looked at several other articles from the "LAF" site, and I just can't get past how they justify everything with religion. I'm a Catholic myself, but I believe that there is such a thing as overkill (also, backing up these arguments with non-religious points would make them resonate with more people). That's my take on the situation, and it's fine if you don't agree with me.

The song is called "When Will My Life Begin?" which sort of implied, to me, that Rapunzel had no life doing what she did in the tower. Those were just past times, but for the thugs, they were things those guys were really passionate about. This is why I picked "Yes"- because the title of the song implies she has no life even when she spends her time what most women do.

AudreyFreak makes a good point about the Classics though. They do the same things Rapunzel does, but Punz is admired for her housewively hobbies, while the Snow and Cinderella especially are deemed anti-feminist. And I also agree that Tangled is far too manipulative.

I completely agree with audreybrooke (well, except I really love Snow White, lol). Especially about the site.