"Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us" -Christensen

Christenseen begins by opening our eyes to the "secret education" that children's books and movies portray. She describes these social blueprints as a "depiction of domination of one sex, one race, one class, or one country over a weaker counterpart". Within the young viewer, this secret education transpires into a distorted "accepted knowledge"of the world, embedded and transferred through the seemingly innocent and happy stories they grow to love. The children who are watching are filled with stereotypes and misinformation without realizing what has happened.

Dorfman writes that "we are taught, more then anything, not to rebel".
While this may be true in certain stories, I find that several disney stories also teach just the opposite. While many protagonists in these films or stories suffer in some ways for rebelling, they almost certainly end up in a place of power or a place more desirable in the end. On the contrary, this end goal is often attained through magic or luck, and is motivated by love (Ariel living on land and getting married, Belle ending up with a prince, her library, and escaping the working class)

I can see why Justine was afraid to dissect the impact of media on her everyday thinking and on her dreams. I mean, several disney stories end with a "happily ever after" between a man and woman, which is probably why so many little girls dream of this perfect wedding with a perfect prince of a guy. This, understandably transfers into adulthood. If this implanted fantasy proves to be misconsrued, then this can cause great distress.

When I was 13...(Back in 97')

I was nerdy and awkward. I wasn't afraid of getting hurt. I was curious about eveything. I was amazed by people, especially really old people; their faces reflected experience that I was too young to understand. I had a boyfriend that meant the world to me, but I only saw him at school. I was always happy. I was shy around those I didn't know, but outgoing around those that I did. Titanic was a hit at the box office (I saw it seven times in the theater) but I couldn't decide at the time if I had a bigger crush on Leo or Kate. I loved TLC and Jewel. My friends and I made up an awesome dance to go along with Michael Jackson's "Black and White", and showed everyone who would pretend to care-repeatedly. I loved science and loved to examine random things under my microscope. I hated hot dogs and my big feet. I loved playing football and baseball. I loved to do do flips on my trampoline with my sister and my friends all day (until dinnertime, of course!). I loved to ride my bike. I loved to play outside with my friends. I didn't fully appreciate having dinner every night as a family. I was oblivious.