• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• Lifestyle
• Family
• Parenting

Parents say this Disney Princess is the best role model for young girls

Young girls need specific traits to navigate todays challenges, research says - and Disney Princesses can be a source of inspiration.

[Rapunzel, Moana and Ariel]

View 3 Images

Mums have passed down their enjoyment of Disney films to their children(Image: Disney)

A poll of 1,250 young women, mums and grandmas found 98% believe confidence, kindness and resilience are the qualities needed to help young girls prepare for the modern world as they grow up. Grandmas (76%) and mums (65%) rated kindness as the number one quality they wanted to pass down to their granddaughters and daughters to equip them for modern life.

Nine in 10 also agreed TV shows and films can influence young girls behaviour, with 94% saying its important for young girls across the country to be able to look up to strong female role models, like Disney Princesses.

[Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Tiana, Belle and Moana]

View 3 Images

Mums most want their daughters to emulate Moana(Image: Disney)

Nearly eight in ten mums 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.

Its inspiring to see these characters play such a meaningful role across a lifetime.

The study also found grandmas believe showing courage in the face of adversity (36%) is what being a Disney princess means today, while 39% associate the characters with kindness, and 30% with being a confident leader.

[Tiana, Moana, Belle]

View 3 Images

Nearly eight in 10 mothers believe Disney Princesses seen on screen shape young girls character(Image: Disney)

Respondents also felt kindness (71%), confidence (61%) and resilience (50%) are traits that are apparent in Disney Princess film characters.

Mums 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 or attitudes of a heroine from the series.

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 mums said the franchise has helped them improve their confidence.

Dancer and TV presenter Motsi Mabuse, ambassador for Disneys 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 its a true joy to share that with my own daughter. Whether were 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.

Important traits young girls need to navigate the challenges of the world today

1. Confidence
2. Kindness
3. Resilience
4. Independence
5. Emotional intelligence
6. Courage
7. Problem-solving skills
8. Compassion
9. Creativity
10. Curiosity

Disney Princesses mums and grandmas most want their (grand)children to emulate

1. Moana
2. Belle (from Beauty and the Beast)
3. Merida (from Brave)
4. Cinderella
5. Snow White
6. Mulan
7. Rapunzel (from Tangled)
8. Pocahontas
9. Jasmine (from Aladdin)
10. Ariel (from The Little Mermaid)

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.