A Look at Disney's Portrayal of Family Relationships

Written by Shae Rufe

Disney happens to have a very short list of films in which the heroine has both parents, let alone a decent relationship with them. In fact, only two Disney films show our protagonist living with both parents. Mulan and Merida are the only princesses who don't lose a parent throughout their respective films. Each leading lady does what they do because of a relationship strain with one parent. So, what is Disney trying to say? We often see that the main character is already missing a parent, or they're kidnapped and raised away from their parents. So, what's up?

Mulan showcases the father/daughter relationship differently than most. With mama Fa still around that makes this relationship very sacred. Mulan wants nothing but to protect her father, if that means taking his place in the army, she does. His failing health forces Mulan to make the tough decision to do what she does. After all, she kinda had failed at the Match Maker earlier that day. The opportunity to do something that would make her father not only proud but save him is just an added bonus. Mulan later admits in the film that she did this to prove she could, but I feel that's more of a justification than the truth behind why she did what she did. In the end, she saves China, and comes home a decorated war hero. The first person she goes to is her father, who tells her that he didn't need any of this, he'd always just loved her for her. 
 
Contrasting that is the strained relationship between Merida and her mother. Merida just wants to do whatever she wants, but her mother wants her groomed to be a proper princess. She's grooming Merida to take over the kingdom and be a great ruler someday. The two seem to clash often, and as Merida is a force to be record with, well, she does what she wants. In doing so she gets her mom transformed into a bear. The two have to learn to communicate their issues without her mother being able to actually talk. The whole ordeal is truly inspiring in a way, as these two who refused to see eye to eye had to come together and solve a problem. Eventually they do, and just in the nick of time too. Things are forever changed after that. Merida can marry when she's ready, more importantly, her mom understands her teenage daughter just a bit better.

The commentary on each type of relationship, mother/daughter and father/daughter is so different it's hard to compare the two. One was about acceptance the other communication....one was subtler while the other more blatant. In the end, both are needed and valuable life lessons.

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