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By creating powerful characters like' Moana', Disney is setting a new trend of creating strong role models for the upcoming generation.
By creating powerful characters like’ Moana’, Disney is setting a trend of creating role models that focus on independence and self discovery for the youth.
When I was a child I used to think that I will grow up into an exquisite beauty and a prince will fall in love with me and we would live happily ever after. As I grew up, I accepted my looks the way they were; I believed that love is but an illusion, and that the pursuit of personal goals is important such as career and traveling.
But wouldn’t I find someone at work even if not so perfect? Or while traveling, like Simran met Raj in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge…
I blame the fairy tales and movies that were an integral part of my childhood for embedding in my psyche that there has to be a knight in shining armour who would rescue the damsel in distress. A woman in a movie/fairytale not having a love interest is empowering yet unheard of!
And that is why Disney’s latest animated movie ‘Moana’ would be iconic. ‘Moana’, the central character embarks on a journey to fulfill the quest of her ancestors to save the world. The directors, John Musker and Ron Clements, revealed that “the story would focus on Moana finding herself, rather than finding romance“.
The recent female Disney characters like Elsa from Frozen and Merida from Brave, have also not had a quintessential Prince Charming, a prerequisite in earlier movies like Cinderella and Snow White. Women have progressed and come a long way from previous generations, and have started working, traveling, and pursuing personal interests, and while of all this has been respected and applauded, there is still a feeling that there should be a partner, not just from society but in a woman’s own frame of mind.
I don’t know if movies reflect society or society follows movies. I know that I have changed as a person from how I perceived life from childhood till now based on personal experiences. It is therefore a great step that today’s girls are being exposed to the idea of independence and self-discovery at a young age, when their ideologies are still developing.
If they grow up seeing and idolizing intelligent, strong female icons, they would probably want to be one when they grow up.
While the other characters like Cinderella were very delicate and helpless and a man helps them find their way in life, these new characters know what they want and are not afraid to get it. I hope this would influence a new generation of confident women who do not require men to complete them.
Image Source: Youtube
I like to write about the problems that have plagued the Indian society. I feel that the concept of gender equality is still alien , and that has been the focus of my articles and posts. read more...
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If you want to get back to work after a break, here’s the ultimate guide to return to work programs in India from tech, finance or health sectors - for women just like you!
Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend related to personal financial planning and she shared how she had had fleeting thoughts about joining work but she was apprehensive to take the plunge. She was unaware of return to work programs available in India.
She had taken a 3-year long career break due to child care and the disconnect from the job arena that she spoke about is something several women in the same situation will relate to.
More often than not, women take a break from their careers to devote time to their kids because we still do not have a strong eco-system in place that can support new mothers, even though things are gradually changing on this front.
A married woman has to wear a sari, sindoor, mangalsutra, bangles, anklets, and so much more. What do these ornaments have to do with my love, respect, and commitment to my husband?
They: Are you married? Me: Yes They: But You don’t look like it Me: (in my Mind) Why should I?
Why is being married not enough for a woman, and she needs to look married too? I am tired of such comments in the nearly four years of being married.
I believe that anything that is forced is not right. I must have a choice. I am a living human, not a puppet. And I am not stopping anyone by not following any tradition. You are free to do whatever you like to do. But do not force others. It’s depressing.