Role models derrived from the cinema Cover Image

Rola wzorców osobowych zaczerpniętych ze sztuki filmowej w kształtowaniu tożsamości jednostki
Role models derrived from the cinema

Author(s): Magdalena Żołud
Subject(s): Philosophy, Aesthetics
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: narrative; identity; fairy tale; role model; cultural gender

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the paper is to show the importance of role models derived from the cinema in shaping identities.The problem is narrowed down to the development of children’s personalities with regard to therole model of a princess created in animated movies produced by the Walt Disney Company. By referringto the concept of narrative identity proposed by Alasdair MacIntyre and to the socio-cognitive theoryof gender identity development, the article shows that fictitious role models have a significant impacton the development of identity. Fairy tales and stories are one of the elements of mediated experiences,through which children learn about their role, their place in life. They are the first narratives that organizethe child’s world, indicating which behaviors are acceptable. When there is no such narrative, when thereis no role model to which one can refer, the children get lost in their roles and expectations of others.Considering the example of the princess role model gives the opportunity to discuss the problem ofdifferences between the image of female characters in films and their equivalent in the entertainmentindustry for children.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 51-60
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish