Abby GibsonMs. RollinsAPLACApril 28, 2014 “The mind of a child... The Disney effect” Once upon a time there was a man named Walt Disney who opened the doors to incredible fascination. A fascination so indescribable and irresistible that everyone, especially children, loved to experience it. let them live. Even today, Disney is an integral part of childhood. Through a princess saved by her knight in shining armor, a girl with magical hair, a singing mermaid wanting to live her own life, and a girl biting a forbidden apple, Disney teaches us how to wish upon a star. But what Walt Disney didn't tell us were the real misconceptions behind all these fantasies. Because Disney depicts fanciful fairy tales that draw our hearts and minds into a state of utter fascination, children around the world attempt to live up to Disney's expectations, a false reality that is impossible to satisfy. Misunderstandings are the basis of the history of Disney fairy tales. . Fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White and the Little Mermaid were not created by Disney. These characters and stories are part of a long oral tradition. It is a mystery when and how this true tradition began. There is no way to trace the origin of the first fairy tale (Cultural Evolution). Although Disney didn't come up with these concepts entirely on their own, they chose the characters and their stories based on their point of view. This is the reason why characters, like Cinderella, have different plots depending on where the story is told. (Walt Disney and Fairy Tales). Disney may not have known it at the time, but the way they chose to tell their fairy tales, the details they included, would...... middle of paper ..... .s in Disney fairy tales, watching them with their children. In doing so, children will not be confused and will not confuse the fairy tale with a way of life coming to them in reality. By classifying Disney princesses and princes as fictional entertainment characters, rather than believing they are real people, children can grow up in a healthy environment. By taking inspiration from strong independent role models such as moms, dads and older siblings, they can learn to follow people in their lives who can actually support them in their lives rather than the characters behind the books and movies. In doing so, children will grow up to be their own people with their own dreams, not the person society and the media have deemed “ideal.” May each child grow up and their wishes be as diverse as each individual star wished upon.