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AladdinFan92

My mom was reading this article in O Magazine (Oprah's magazine) about how girls think of themselves, their body image, something like that. And this person said something about how Jasmine's "skimpy outfit and perfect body set a bad example for girls and their body image, and make them want to be really skinny". That is ridiculous! Yes, Jasmine is gorgeous, but I've been watching the movie since I was little, and whle I always thought she was pretty, there was nothing in the movie that EVER made me think I was supposed to look like that.

I mean, HELLO, IT'S A MOVIE, as in IT'S NOT REAL! How stupid does this person think girls are? I mean, did Jasmine ever make you feel that way?

Gazmine · Majordomo Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 259 Location: SA TX

Eh it happens.

i think it happens more often now though, because newer gererations are hearing that others felt that way, and now they subcontiously feel that they're suppost to think that too.

Really sucks.

Thanks earlier generations for leaving us with all your bad habbits, addictions, oh and now WE'RE the one's dieing because of global warming!

Oh, sorry, heh, ignore me.
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VampireNaomi · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject:

I don't think one character is going to make anyone think anything, but if little girls are bombarded with nothing but anorectic-looking (not that I think Jasmine is one) little doll-women, some of them might start thinking that's what's expected of them.

Still, I don't think those things really affect anyone who isn't already having a problem. I mean, if seeing Jasmine makes some girl develop an eating disorder, she obviously had a problem to begin with. In that case one shouldn't go around blaming Jasmine (or other characters) because that's not going to help anyone.

All my friends grew up with Disney princesses and none of us ever thought we had to look like them.
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Ariellen · Scourge of the Desert Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 708

...oy. OK, yes, Hollywood (animated and not) does show us lots of idealized images of what people (men AND women) 'should' look like. That's what they do because part of what movies do is take us to places and tell us stories that AREN'T REAL. Do they constantly seem to be showing skinnier and skinnier girls? Yeah, it seems that way, and yeah, it's nothing new, but it sure seems out of touch with reality. And I don't really see how being able to see every bone in a woman's upper body is supposed to be attractive, but I digress.

I think issues about Disney Princesses appearances setting ridiculous standards for young girls are ridiculously overblown. First of all, I think that a lot of the criticism is unfair. Snow White had very subtle curves implied on the bodice of her dress and had a youthful plumpness to her; she's not super skinny. And the unofficial Princess ringleader, Cinderella, had very normal proportions. Watch the movie; don't look at the merchandise; she has a fuller waist and fuller legs and doesn't appear top heavy.

Getting back on subject and talking about Jasmine (and I'm gonna lump Ariel in here too, since she tends to be criticized for a lot of the same reasons)...I never really gave a lot of thought to their body types or how they dressed. Yes, Jasmine's outfit isn't exactly the sort of outfit that an Arabian Princess would have worn, but it was a movie; it was portraying an IMAGINARY, fantasy Middle Eastern culture that wasn't supposed to be completely accurate. I never thought it was a terribly scandalous outfit; I also always thought that if she was TOLD to dress a certain way, why fault her? I thought the criticism of Ariel's costume was even more ridiculous; so many illustrations of mermaids have them wearing NOTHING, would the angry mothers have preferred that? Or she could have worn an undersea t-shirt; no wait, that would have been wet. Razz

I don't think that the specifics of what Jasmine or other Disney Princesses' body types and outfits have that much influence on young girls, nor should they. I don't know anyone who seriously decided to prance around showing off skin because of these characters. Maybe they want to dress like them for Halloween, but I really don't think that's damaging. It's who these characters ARE that resonates with kids, in my opinion, and if Disney Princesses don't exactly challenge idealization of the female body, at least the ideals they present, while maybe not completely realistic, appear to be healthy. They are thin but we don't have animation of their rib cages and spines, sunken, starved faces, etc., and the Disney Princesses have curves! Exaggerated in some instances, but I think that's a lot more of a positive message to send than a lot of the toothpick/pencil starved looking women with no meat on their hips or anywhere else and concave chests.

The Evil Chalupa · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject:

I'm probably only restating what has been said, and might change what I mean to say halfway down.

People shouldn't go around blaming cartoon characters about little girls's esteems dropping thanks to their "perfect bodies". I mean, yeah, there's a couple of girls here and there that feel like that, but then again, there's a lot that don't. If it was really the character's fault to do that, wouldn't you think male characters would have that same effect on boys? Aladdin doesn't wear a shirt, and we all know here he's got a perfect body. Very Happy

I just think it's the girls' fault for developing eating disorders, sometimes even the family's. Most girls that feel like that, have a nasty mother whose always pushing them that way, or themselves act that. People just blame characters to find a way to steer around the "real" problem and not face the truth.

"My daughter sunk into depression because of the movie!"

Ummm, no. You just weren't paying close attention to your daughter and talk to her about that.

Notice how these girls either have abusive, teasing friends, disattached family, or just too much time for themselves. I have neither of these, and I'm perfectly fine, even though I manage to watch movies with "perfect body" characters all the time. My mother's always giving me compliments about how nice I look. My friends keep my spirits up, too. And when I have time to myself, I tend to focus on other stuff, like toys!

Don't blame characters, especially if they haven't "said" or "done" anything to show that it's having a perfect body that counts. Blame parents who don't know how to handle this, and stupid headlines and people who always are always dissing someone's outer images.

Augh, like those stupid "People Magazines" and stuff... That's what makes the girls feel bad about themselves.
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Mariposa79 · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

Whoever said that comment must have been hating Jasmine and put the blame on her than knowing the real reason why. Instead of sayng the negative aspects then try to look at the positive aspects.

Jasmine is not your typical princess. She kicks butt and doesn't let anyone to walk on her. She's strong willed and independent. That's why girls like her.

( She ran away from the palace because of the will that was chosen for her and that she can stay up for long periods of time. She was chosen to be a Galliphan and she sucked punch one of theives in KOT.)

Why is it skimpy? Maybe the weather in Agrabah is hot.
Didn't Jasmine cover up whenever she's outside or in public and she dress what she like when she's in the palace.
Her outfits isn't to blame why little girls need to strive for a certain body type. It's the media of magazines , hollywood, and barbie dolls.

The Evil Chalupa · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

You know the real reason?

HOLLYWOOD!

Laughing

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AladdinsGenie · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

That's bullshi...p Laughing

First off, she's a CARICATURED CARTOON. If you are comparing yourself and your body type to that, you need some help. Like, seriously. Now I'm all for using Jasmine as a "Man, I wish I could look as good as that" with the general ideal of Jasmine "flat stomach", "not overly huge boobs", "long hair", etc. because there are very few people I don't know who doesn't want that or something close (I'm not saying you need that, but you gotta admit it would be nice to have)--no one hopes they are overweight and stays that way--but I definitely would not use that as "Man, I need her body exactly." Get your own damn body.

Second, compared to what people today wear, Jasmine dresses like a grandmother. It's just a top people. If you can let your 13 year old daughter go to the beach half-naked or to school with skirts that look like underwear, then Jasmine can wear a mid-drift. I see nothing wrong with what she's wearing, but I also know that I would never wear that personally. I love Jasmine to pieces, but that's her and this is me. It's just not my style. Get your own damn style. You can let your children watch these music videos with *real* skimpy ass dancers, but a mid-drift and pants is a problem?

Third, if your child has that low a self esteem issue that she is looking to cartoon characters to think that's how she needs her body to be, that's on you as a parent. YOU need to talk to YOUR child and see what's going on because while Disney is a great educator, it's not a substitute for parenting. I'd hope that you wouldn't let your child be that insecure on who they are that they think in order to be beautiful, accepted, perfect, etc., that they need to have Jasmine's body and dress like her. Instead of bitching about her clothing, how about you teach them about another one of the themes in Aladdin "Beeee yourself". That's what Jasmine's doing--how about you?

And fourth, cartoons are meant to be exaggerated. I know of very few that are humanly anatomically correct. Barbie isn't even the right type and she's a doll millions of children have been playing with for decades. Also, all the other Disney princesses have almost the *exact* same body type, the only difference is you can't see physically see it because of clothing. Ariel gets excused sometimes because "Oh, she's a mermaid; they're supposed to look like that", but Jasmine gets all the blame because she shows her stomach? Bitch, please.

Guest · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:31 pm Post subject:

Someone link this to the woman who dare diss Jasmine. Or to Oprah. Laughing

AladdinFan92 · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

AladdinsGenie · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject:

We should; Hell, I'll go on Oprah and battle her myself. My mom Tivos Oprah every day, too Laughing

The Evil Chalupa · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject:

The Evil Chalupa · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

Ariellen · Scourge of the Desert Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 708

I volunteer to jump on the couch and talk about how much I love this movie and fandom and how strongly I'm annoyed with this criticism!

AladdinsGenie · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject:

"I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!"