Moana tops list of Disney Princesses mothers want their daughters to be like
A poll of 1,250 young women, mums and grandmothers found 98% believe confidence, kindness and resilience are the qualities young girls will need to navigate the challenges of the world today. Grandmothers (76%) and mothers (65%) rated kindness as the number one quality they wanted to pass down to their granddaughters and daughters to equip them for tackling modern life.
Nine in 10 also agreed TV shows and films influence young girls’ behaviour, with 94% saying it’s important for young girls to be able to look up to strong female role models, like Disney Princesses.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Meanwhile nearly eight in 10 (79%) of mothers believe Disney Princesses seen on screen shape young girls’ traits and how they behave as they get older – with more than a quarter wanting their daughters to emulate Moana (26%).
Lee Jury, SVP, marketing for The Walt Disney Company EMEA which commissioned the research, said: “Stories have always been a powerful way for children to learn about the world and this research confirms those lessons endure well into adulthood.
“Women of all ages draw on the values learnt from their favourite princesses growing up to navigate the world today - and in time pass those values onto the next generation.
“It’s inspiring to see these characters play such a meaningful role across a lifetime.”
The study also found grandmothers believe showing courage in the face of adversity (36%) is what being a Disney princess means today, while 39% associate the princesses with kindness, and 30% with being a confident leader.
Respondents also felt kindness (71%), confidence (61%) and resilience (50%) are traits that are apparent in characters in Disney Princess films.
Mothers have passed down their enjoyment of the franchise to their daughters too, with 78% engaging in activities related to the films with their children at least monthly. And 95% of mums who took part in the study by OnePoll.com, have noticed young girls copying the behaviour of a Disney heroine.
A further eight in 10 (81%) agreed traits learned from watching these protagonists as young girls continue to be relevant as they grow up.
Overall, 30% of Millennials and 27% of Gen Zs said the iconic characters helped them be kinder to others. Meanwhile, 31% of mothers said the franchise helped them fee more confident.
Dancer and TV presenter Motsi Mabuse, ambassador for Disney’s World Princess Week, added: “Music and dance have shaped my whole life, so Tiana, who follows her dream with warmth and determination, will always have a special place in my heart.
“I adored princesses as a child and now it’s a true joy to share that with my own daughter.
"Whether we’re dancing around the living room or lost in a story together, I love knowing the qualities I hope she carries through life are the very ones she finds in the characters we love so much.”