Disney has been teaching little girls how they should be since 1938, when Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (the movie) was released. Since then Disney has been growing, filling every corner of this world. As society has changed, so have the princesses.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves taught little girls that greed will lead to your downfall, as it was with the Evil Queen.
Cinderella taught them that no matter how other people treat you, it is always better to be kind and a dream big.
Sleeping Beauty taught them that love is always better than hate.
The Little Mermaid taught them to follow their dreams.
Beauty and the Beast taught them that inner beauty is more important than what you look like and that you should always try to learn.
Aladdin taught them that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can always strive for greatness.
Pocahontas taught them that prejudice has no place in love.
Mulan taught them that they can do anything, especially if it helps others.
The Princess and the Frog taught them to always work hard and follow their dreams.
Tangled taught them that dreams can be reality.
Brave taught them exactly that, to be brave.
Frozen taught them that true love isn’t always romantic love, that familial love can be just as strong.
However all of those movies, no matter who the central character was, had princes or love interests to help them on their way. Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel all needed a prince to help them with their predicament and then Disney started to evolve in Belle, where she was needed to save Adam (the Beast). Aladdin was both princess and “prince” centric, where they needed each other’s help to defeat Jafar. Pocahontas and Mulan were the first two to fight the stereotypes that had bee put up by society and gave history lessons while telling stories of women trying to protect their families and their people. Tiana was the first to have her own personal goal, which was the center of the story, even when they were trying to return to their humans bodies. Rapunzel and Merida both wanted something which they couldn’t have, and while Merida didn’t and up with a husband, the story started with her needing someone to marry. Frozen was the first to not have a main plot line that had to do with a love interest, however Hans and Kristoff played essential roles in that plot.
Moana had no love interest whatsoever, which was truly remarkable. Her story will teach little girls that they can be leaders and that no matter how difficult a task can be, you can overcome it with willpower and friendship. She taught all of us that only we know who we are and what we want, and that we should always follow that, even if we're going against someone else. She follows Ariel in her quest to do her own thing, Tiana in her hard work, and every other princess before her, but there isn’t a mention of a love interest anywhere. She shows off the greatest aspects of every princess without needing love to change or save her.
