Why Cinderella and Aurora can harm young girls' self-esteem…but Moana and Merida do not: Disney princesses with thin figures are more damaging than those with curvier frames, study claims

 

 

 Disney's blockbusters have captivated children for generations, with many dreaming to look 'as pretty as a princess' one day. But scientists now say that Cinderella and Aurora are among countless characters that are more harmful to the self-esteem of young boys and girls. New research, led by the University of California, has shed light on the connection between the body shape of a youngster's favourite princess and their confidence. Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella were deemed to have a 'less positive' influence on a child's self-esteem based on their thinness. In contrast, children who idolise Brave's Merida or Moana were far more likely to be confident, thanks to their more 'realistic' body types