Does Disney have something against me.....or just Mom's in general?

Rating: 5 after 4 votes

OKay, so I have a question that has been on my mind for some time now. I'm just wondering, am I the only one who has noticed that in a majority of Disney movies the Mom is dead or nowhere to be found? It's hard to think of a Disney movie with a strong maternal presence. Think about some of the most popular movies:

1. Finding Nemo - Mom's dead
2. Ratatouille - Mom's not even mentioned
3. Beauty and the Beast - Again, Mom's never even mentioned
4. Cinderella - no Mom....as a matter of fact the maternal character is portrayed as evil
5. Snow White - same deal as Cinderella
6. The Little Mermaid - Dad only
7. Bambi - Mom's dead
8. Jasmine in the movie Alladin had no mother

I remember Dumbo had a loving mother...GREAT that's one! But really, how many Disney movies can you name that have a Mom only and no Dad, or a Dad that is evil? 101 Dalmatians has a positive maternal presence, but a positive father too, so that's a wash.

I'm just wondering, what's Disney got against Moms? Has anyone else noticed this and have a great reason as to why it is?

Thanks!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joyce on November 28, 2008 at 11:54pm: I've noticed. I always wondered about it. Then again most of the tales are based on true fairy tales. A lot of moms died in child birth, I guess, I chalked it up to that. The exception is Nemo, which could be a spin off of a tale I have not figured out yet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tammy Dantzler on November 29, 2008 at 8:37am: I've never analyzed a Disney movie in this regards. The movies like The Santa Clause, The Haunted Mansion, The Pacifier all have good mom roles. The Princess Diaries has a wonderful role for Mom and Grandmother. Maybe it's just the older fairy tales that have been made into movies.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Simchabe on November 29, 2008 at 12:54pm: I never noticed that - great eye! Maybe it's because all of these characters wouldn't go through such hell if they had a protective mommy =); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kitty Rosu on November 29, 2008 at 12:57pm: If I remember right Toy Story has a mom and no mention of a dad. That's Disney Pixar though, right?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Denise on November 29, 2008 at 4:06pm: I have wondered that myself! That's funny actually because we were discussing the lack of mothers in these movies during thanksgiving. And we had these theories: Walt Disney had something against mom's, so maybe he had an issues with his....or maybe he had women issues, or maybe dad's weren't around as much so they made kids want to love their dads...who knows, I agree though its weird!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna Cope Sams on December 1, 2008 at 10:22am: Thanks so much everyone! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed and I appreciate all of your responses!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joanne on December 1, 2008 at 1:13pm: Wow. I never noticed that until you mentioned it. I am baffled.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by maryanne on December 1, 2008 at 4:05pm: lol my husband and I were discussing this recently. At least there's a cool mom The Incredibles, even if she does get a tad paranoid...of course, that is Pixar, like toy story; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Melissa Kitchen on December 1, 2008 at 4:20pm: And in Dumbo they take him away from his mom... so sad!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Juicy Gossip on December 1, 2008 at 4:33pm: They really like fairy godMOMs though :) . . . .

i think you forgot simba from lion king

the mom gorilla in tarzan was pretty important

Ariel didn't have a mom or Neptune probably just forgot which one from his harem gave birth to her . . .

Beauty and the Beast - Mrs. Potts is pretty much the mom figure of the whole movie.

hmmm . . can't think of any more right now; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dani C. on December 2, 2008 at 10:36am: I had noticed that all their stepmother are evil.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rugbymom on December 2, 2008 at 11:57am: vewy, vewy, inter-westing. Sheesh. At least Princess Fiona is a kick a** Mom! I love her.; ▶ Reply to This