So Disney is the bastion of family values, eh? Has anyone else noticed that, from ”Aladdin” on down, the parent-child relationships in Disney`s animated adventures tend to be troubled enough to qualify for discussion on
”Oprah” or ”Sally Jessy Raphael”? Here`s a scorecard for the dysfunctional Disney families:
”Aladdin” (1992)
Character: Princess Jasmine
Caretaker: The Sultan
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: Abnormally short, pudgy, ineffectual but lovable space case
Character`s resulting neurosis: Cinderella complex-she`s waiting for her prince to come
”Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Character: Belle
Caretaker: Father
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: See ”Aladdin”
Character`s resulting neurosis: Displays codependency
”The Little Mermaid” (1989)
Character: Ariel
Caretaker: Father
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: White-bearded giant with messianic complex
Character`s resulting neurosis: Grandiose refusal to accept in-born limitations, latent aquaphobia
”Peter Pan” (1953)
Character: Peter Pan
Caretaker: None (orphan)
Character`s resulting neurosis: Peter Pan syndrome-inability to grow up
”Cinderella” (1950)
Character: The Prince
Caretaker: Father
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: See ”Aladdin”
Character`s resulting neurosis: Foot fetish
”Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
Character: Alice
Caretaker: Sister
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: Barely present
Character`s resulting neurosis: Borderline personality disorder, prone to hallucinations, substance abuser
”Bambi” (1942)
Character: Bambi
Caretaker: Mother
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: Loving and nurturing, until she`s murdered
Character`s resulting neurosis: Oedipus complex
”Dumbo” (1941)
Character: Dumbo
Caretaker: Mother
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: Loving, until she`s locked up
Character`s resulting neurosis: Chronic insecurity
”Pinocchio” (1940)
Character: Pinocchio
Caretaker: Gepetto
Caretaker`s prominent characteristics: Soft touch who spends a lot of time with inanimate objects
Character`s resulting neurosis: Habitual liar
”Snow White” (1937)
Character: Snow White
Caretakers: Seven dwarfs
Caretakers` prominent characteristics: Sleepy, sneezy, happy, dopey . . . Character`s resulting neurosis: Sleep disorder indicating clinical depression; possible latent multiple personality syndrome
