I don't think it's a necessity, but it doesn't hurt.

It doesn't really matter. As long as it's a good character and a nice movie.

As long as they do it well. And not faux-empowerment, like in Frozen.

Same as princesslullaby.

Because EVERYONE is empowered in some way. *nods*

As long as we interpret empowerment as having an actual character and agency. You don't need to use a sword or kick butt to be empowered.

^ Exactly.

Yeah.

But none really. We all have different ideas of empowerment. Society thinks girls like Aurora are weak, I think they're much stronger than the ones people prefer today. I think since when people say empowered they mean "feisty and kicks butt and does what she wants all the time" that idea is unrealistic, unhealthy and cliche so I'm not a fan of it.

Of course! I don't like it when some movies portray men as inferior in intelligence, maturity or capacity, though (*coughbravecough*), because gender equality ≠ woman is superior to man. It does depends in what is viewed as female empowerement, as said Digoenes.

Better than the female depowerment going on around all other fiction.

AudreyFreak I don't think it's unrealistic. Some women do need to be feisty and kick butt because they could be a police officer or in the military/navy. But I think the empowerment actually is in all the Disney Princess movies, except for Frozen. I actually got into a conversation with my therapist once about Cinderella and how she is a strong woman in a more passive way. She wasn't going to let her step-family break her of what her father taught her about being gentle and kind. She is actually a good role model because she shows people to have patience with their jobs and horrible bosses, which they need so they can have food and shelter. She also shows how you should always be kind because she was always kind to the mice and birds and they returned the favor by trying to help her get to the ball. The fairy godmother shows how God will eventually reward those who are good and work hard like they so truly deserve. Walt Disney is a perfect example of this because this was his favorite fairy-tale and it inspired him to always work harder every time he felt like giving up.

Aurora I have grown to appreciate more as a role model, she's not that interesting a character, but she has her good qualities. I do like how she gave up being with someone she only had less than a minute of a conversation with to return home and full fill her duties. But my problem is that she doesn't really take that much convincing to go back without any struggle and just cries about it. With Ariel, at least she wanted to be human WAY before she met Eric, so it wasn't man-obsessed but rather making her dream come true. But Aurora is far from a bad role model or a bad character.

Snow White shows how you should always be positive about a bad situation and make the best of it. She also serves as a mother to the seven dwarfs and anyone who says being a mother isn't hard work clearly hasn't been one. I'd go on about the other Disney Princesses and how thy teach empowerment but everyone knows why they do.

However, AudreyFreak, the tough girl thing is a late 20th century thing that continues, after decades of passive females in stories. So if you want to get technical, it's really the passive female that's cliche. But it shouldn't matter if they're passive or active, as long as they're a good character. Odette from The Swan Princess is passive and I adore her.

We live in a world were men believe they have the power and own everything so yes I LOVE seen powerful, brave, independent clever woman.

I agree with Digoeness.

It's often times overdone though.