Why Our Daughters Should Watch Moana

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Moana DVD case.

The first Disney movie I saw in the theaters was The Little Mermaid. I honestly don’t remember much about the experience, except that I found Ursula to be terrifying and brushing hair with a fork seemed odd to 4-year-old me. But as it goes for countless little girls all over the world, even through the creepy talking octopus and questionable grooming practices, my love of Disney princess movies had begun. 

From Cinderella to the Aladdin, I couldn’t get enough. My younger brother and I would watch the same VHS over and over again. I could recite spoken lines and sing entire songs. I was captivated by the beautiful characters, “dramatic” endings, and mushy love stories. 
 
Yet, as I grew older, I started to see these movies through a different lens. I began to feel frustrated that the female characters in these movies were often portrayed as the damsel in distress or the villain. Where were the strong, courageous, independent, compassionate women who didn’t need to either bully a man or be saved by one?
 
Then Frozen came along, and literally changed my life. That may sound drastic, but it’s not an over exaggeration–I self-reflected in a way I hadn’t before at the conclusion of that movie. And due to its impact, I was positive that another Disney movie would never top it. But then one winter afternoon, I put Moana on for my two-year-old to watch. I planned to do a few chores while she lounged on the couch, but as soon as the first scene began, I was hooked. The song lyrics relating to finding a purpose in life resonated deeply, and Moana’s response to a question pertaining to her royal status stuck in my mind: “I am NOT a princess!”
 
It was as if years of stereotyping by one of the most successful franchises ever to exist came crashing down. I continued to watch, expecting a love story to unfold, and felt strangely satisfied when there wasn’t even the hint of one. Moana is about a young woman’s adventure to save her people, her island, and most importantly, to find herself. And while she does have some assistance along the way from a demigod, a piglet, a quirky chicken, and the ocean itself, she prevails because of her strength and resilience–not because of a man.
 
It’s not a secret that society does a terrible job of portraying girls and women in the media, and even the Disney princesses have caught heat over the years. Therefore, when I became a mother, I made a vow to myself that I would try my hardest not to let my daughter fall victim to these damaging norms that squander self-esteem, body image, and the purpose of being a woman. But this is the type of movie that I want my daughter to watch–at two, and at 22. I am so thankful for the messages that Moana sends, and that it was released just in time for my little girls most formative years.  
 
So from Cinderella’s words of “Someday, my prince will come,” to Moana’s words of “That come what may, I know the way,” I can feel waves of progress ripple through Disney, which has been an influential powerhouse for generations. This gives me hope, confidence, and makes me proud to be encouraging my daughter to make the world a better place–not just for women, but for everyone.
 

Have you seen Moana? What are your thoughts?

 
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Caitlin
Meet Caitlin! Caitlin grew up in Fairfield, CT and after some time living elsewhere, she is ecstatic to call the town home again. She works full-time in higher education at a local university and has found great joy in supporting college students for almost ten years. Caitlin met her husband, Matthew, in college. They were married in 2009 and welcomed their daughter, Parker, in December of 2014. She spends her free time at yoga, writing, watching sports, and attempting to change the world through advocacy and involvement in social justice movements. Connect with Caitlin on Twitter @CaitPereira.

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