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In the Disney movie The Lion King, the theme of patriarchy is very present throughout the movie. Everything in the movie is accomplished through the work of the strong violent males that control what the females and lesser males in the society do, and this theme is prevalent throughout other Disney movies in the Disney renaissance. Since The Lion King obviously harbors patriarchal tones, how does it affect the young females watching the movie and seeing that only the males in the movie are able to accomplish anything important. The movie makes the point of showing that the female lions are weak and unable to fend for themselves. For example, in the movie Nala must search and find Simba to defeat the evil lion scar because he is destroying their natural lands. Besides showing that the female lions are weak, it glorifies violent action by the male lions in the movie. Another example being Simba coming back to fight Scar for the position of king. This scene has Simba confronting Scar in a violent manner and forcibly taking the crown from him. This action is heavily glorified and results in the Kingdom returning to its former state with a powerful male ruling and everyone else, especially the women, following his orders.

 

This leads the audience to wonder the intentions of the Disney company when watching the movie. Especially since this movie is targeted to the developing minds of children, so it is easy to come to the conclusion that these movies could possibly influence the concepts op patriarchy and this social order that makes young girls think that they are weak followers and make young boys think that violent actions will always help you attain what you want and live happily ever after.

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When watching The Lion King with young children it is important for them to understand the faults with the movie. It is very easy to look at it as a simple children's movie that does not have any lasting effect on their lives, but in reality movies in the developmental stages of their lives help to transform the way they think.