Masculinity In Disney/Pixar

Most of society defines masculinity as strong, non-emotional, independent, and competitive. Femininity is typically thought of as weak, nurturing, soft, and emotional. Most media has begun to redefine the way society thinks of typical characteristics of men and women. Disney/Pixar seem to be a big part of this redefinition as Gillam and Wooden point out in their article “Post-Princess models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar.” An example of this happens in Disney’s “The Pacifier” when Lieutenant Shane Wolfe defies his masculine role by showing his nurturing side while taking care of the Plummer children, becoming Lulu’s den mother, and helping produce Seth’s musical— “The Sound of Music”.

Wolfe first breaks the typical assumption of masculinity

by showing the feminine characteristic of being a nurturer. As a man from a military background, with no wife or kids, he begins “The Pacifier” without a nurturing bone in his body. He treats the Plummer children as just another assignment. He gives them trackers, talks to them in a formal tone, and expects them to behave. He does not consider that they are children who just lost their father. As the movie continues, he learns to care for them. He learns to change diapers, time management skills (like getting them to school in time), and the importance of talking things out and listening to others.
Next, Wolfe takes a big step into femininity by becoming Lulu’s den mother. A daunting role of taking care of others’ children while also trying to teach them important life lessons. Wolfe does not handle caring for them well at first. He still struggles with listening to the children. As the movie continues, Wolfe and his Firefly Scouts believe self defense is a priority, since the girls are being tormented by a rival boy scout troop. He spends time with them in the yard practicing different defense techniques. He takes them out to eat after their meetings and he grows to love each of them as if they were his own.
Lastly, Wolfe helps Seth with the musical he is in. The musical, “The Sound of Music”, is something that Seth wanted to do and he thought no one else would understand. Instead of shaming Seth for wanting to participate in the musical, Wolfe takes a stand to become the new director after the old one walks out on the production. Wolfe not only choreographs the dance numbers, but he also produces the musical. He also takes a stance for Seth when Seth decides to quit the wrestling team for the musical. Wolfe shows his protective side and his military excellence when he wrestles Seth’s old coach.
Movies are slowly redefining the way society sees gender roles. Movies are, after all, teachers for the world's youth. Maybe men can be strong, but also nurturing. Maybe it is okay for women to be emotional yet independent. The redefinition of stereotypes of the genders affects the viewers by allowing them to be more neutral when they see reversed gender roles. As Gillam and Wooden state in the conclusion of “Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar,” “Maintaining a critical consciousness of the many lessons taught by the cultural monolith of Disney remains imperative” (480).