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!

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kelley Skoloda on December 8, 2008 at 6:09am: OMG -- I have said the same thing for years! Now when a Disney movie comes out, my husband and I joke before seeing it about the state of the mother, which is usually missing ir dead, as you so aptly pointe out. What is it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dionna on December 8, 2008 at 6:21am: Yes, I've noticed and often comment about it in my own home. I think they do it because the mom figure is a great guiding point and moral compass for the family. If she is absent, often there is great turmoil and "searching" which of course - makes for a great story.

But, I do not like it either.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patty Gale on December 8, 2008 at 6:46am: Trust me, you're not the only one who has noticed. My husband and I have been talking about this for a while now.

Peter Pan, no parents
Meet the Robinsons - mom gave him up for adoption

In Ratatouille, the character Linguine's mom is mentioned as having died when he starts out as a garbage boy in the restaurant.

I don't have an explanation. Was Walt Disney raised by a single dad?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawniemom on December 8, 2008 at 6:47am: I've always noticed this - and specifically the movies featuring female characters, it ANNOYS me!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amydeanne on December 8, 2008 at 8:00am: I noticed that too. It's kinda sad. I think it's a daddy complex..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by wdwfan on December 8, 2008 at 8:26am: That's funny! Never really noticed that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steph Wiestling on December 8, 2008 at 8:50am: That's so funny! This is a running topic in our house... I've written about it a few times too. We're pretty much on board with Denise in thinking maybe Walt had mom issues or, alternatively, had dad issues so wanted to showcase the role of a good father. I've also heard the argument that most of the stories are about kids transitioning into independence and a tragic event is a natural segue for that (on film, anyway... not as interesting to watch the normal coming-of-age). And that it potentially gives kids self confidence to overcome difficult situations by channeling those characters.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Traci on December 8, 2008 at 9:16am: don't forget the new Ariel movie...mom is crushed to death by a pirate ship in the beginning of the movie. geez. try explaining THAT to a 4 1/2 year old.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MoreThanMommy on December 8, 2008 at 9:41am: What you should also take note of is that the fathers in Disney movies are almost all weak, crazy or obsessed with an evil woman. Moms don't need to take it personally. If anything, fathers should be insulted. I think a previous poster hit the nail on the head. By creating movies without mothers, Disney isn't saying that we aren't important. It's a statement that we are extremely important and that, without moms, kids have to go through extraordinary trials.

And, for the record, I don't think you can discount the moms who die early on in the films. Mothers who die and leave their children aren't necessarily less of a maternal presence. My mom lost her mother at the age of 11, but she still carries her wherever she goes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Annie on December 8, 2008 at 9:50am: I noticed - I'll never forget hearing Bambi for the first time when I was 7. I was at a friend's house, and she had a recording of the story. My mother had NEVER read me this one. When I heard the mother die, I ran home, crying hysterically. Then I started noticing that all my faves were motherless...Cinderella even had an evil stepmother. If you go back to most fairy tales, you'll see this pattern - it had nothing to do with Walt Disney, he was just retelling stories that have been around in one form or another for generations.

Why do they do this? Simple - it's a way to advance the plot. How many of these characters could go off and have the adventures they do if they had a mom at home????? None. They'd be home doing homework and doing chores like regular kids (or animals, or mythological creatures, as the case may be).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Viv on December 8, 2008 at 9:51am: I have wondered this myself, often, and blogged about it and griped, etc. I do understand that there is a tradition in what is known in fiction as adventurer storylines of the character not having a Mom because, naturally, a Mom would not allow her little ones to get into trouble, so they would never go adventuring! That makes sense to me.

But it is irritating when the stories are already written, have a Mom in them, and she is taken out arbitrarily. This was what happened in Aladdin (I understand Michael Eisner was to blame on that one). Disney also has a history of kids thinking their fathers are dead, and then re-discovering them later in life, like in Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin and some others. Dads seem to play a big part in most of the movies, so at least someone recognizes that parents are important!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PraiseWalker on December 8, 2008 at 10:24am: hmmm - very interesting point. I never thought of it before! This could be worth exploring.

At least in most cases the Dad is portrayed as someone positive. Most TV shoes the Dad is a dork.

Darlene; ▶ Reply to This