Why Scientists Say ‘Disneyfied’ Relationships Are a Problem

Many of us love a classic Disney Princess movie.

Snow White

From Walt’s original princess, Snow White, to Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle and beyond, the idea that two people meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after is strong in Disney movies — and the fairytales many of them are based on.

But is believing in the fairytales harmful? Some scientists say so. Researchers at the University of Exeter have come to the conclusion that the “Disneyfied protrayals of love” many children are exposed to can cause them to form unhealthy ideas of what a good relationship looks like. 

So this is love? … maybe not

After surveying teens and relationship counselors, the researchers decided that children need to be taught that relationships require work and don’t “just happen.”

“While young people’s families were seen as the primary source of learning about healthy relationships, there was clear support for schools’ role to augment this, as not all families exhibit healthy relationships,” said Dr. Jan Ewing, one of the researchers who conducted the study. “Relationship professionals thought … that schools had a critical role in teaching and embedding critical skills around initiating and maintaining a healthy relationship.”

Does Belle’s “Disneyfied” relationship give kids the wrong idea?

The researchers said that teaching students that relationships require work is a public health matter, and pointed out that problem relationships are associated with problems such as alcohol misuse, obesity, poor mental health, and child poverty.

What do you think? Do “Disneyfied” portrayals of love affect children negatively? Let us know in the comments below!

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The post Why Scientists Say 'Disneyfied' Relationships Are a Problem first appeared on the disney food blog.

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