A Content Analysis of Modern Day Family Structures in Disney Movies

Abstract

A sample of 15 Disney TM animated features was analyzed to determine how these movies depict modern day family structures. A list of all the animated features released was obtained and used to purposely select the sample. The first and last movie from each decade was chosen starting in 1937 with Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and ending in 2002 with Treasure Planet. Each movie was viewed and analyzed for the family structure depicted. The title of each movie, the year it was released in the theater, the characters and family structure represented were all listed. Each movie was then placed in the column with the type of family that was portrayed. By analyzing the list of movies categorized by family structure, a person can determine which movies portray which type of family. The results indicate that many of the animated features depicted more than one family structure.