The Walt Disney Company Home - Assignment Example

I. Introduction For over ninety years, the global company has been in the limelight of entertainment, the company began back in 1926; it is in this year that the Walt Disney signed a contract with Winkler thus the establishment of the Disney Company. At the time, the company was known as the Disney brothers studio. As time passed the company kept on, growing rapidly and exponentially, in 1928 the company introduces the Mickey Mouse cartoon. This cartoon series holds the main pillars of the company as the company relies on a lot on the image created by this series. As the years passed the company kept on expanding, in 1940s the company expanded beyond written entertainment and television, the company opened a theme park commonly known as the Disney land. Later, in 1970s, the company opened the Walt Disney world resort in Florida (Brockus, 191) The company later started expanding globally, in the 1980s; the company opened a theme park in Tokyo, and a decade later, they build the Disneyland Paris. Their channel aired their programs for eighteen hours in a day; the influences of the company spread across many areas mainly through purchasing sports teams and other companies. In 2005, the company opened another Disneyland in Hong Kong; also, they acquired many prestigious companies and brands such as the Marvel Entertainment and the Pixar animation studios. The company released many films as time passed; it is in charge of bringing the best family movies, plays, and even music, in the entertainment department the company releases movies ideal for children that keep them glued to screens for almost the whole day. They also release toys for kids. The Disney services can now be accessed through, mobile, console games, and social online virtual worlds. From this, the company kept expanding internationally, its entertainment series was watched in almost every corner of the world, it was the main source of entertainment for the children. This was due to the cartoon and animation series produces by the company. However, the expansion of the companys services globally has had both negative and positive impacts, on the culture, and on children. An example of a positive impact from the company apart from being a source of entertainment is job creation. In this we should understand that the Disney Company affects children, affects the culture and at the same time the company gives many people job (Brockus, 193) II. Impact the children A. Disney’s impacts on children In the case of children, Disney does affect children in different ways all over the world, in many cases Disney creates a virtue world that doesnt exist to the kids. In relation to services that stretch to children, these services include the cartoons, animations and even the toys from the company. The Disney is synonymous with fluffy animals singing songs of joy and hope and molarity stories; the company has worked on this image for some time now. However, this messages even with the obvious positive impacts they have on kids, also have some negativity. Even with the fact that the movies bring entertainment and happiness to many, mainly the kids, they also have some negative impacts on them. Many parents, daycare workers, and teachers allow children to watch this kind of movies in order to get some breathing space, in this while children are busy watching then the parents can complete their chores. Also, many parents understand that the movies act as source happiness for their kids; some parents believe ‘Disney is for the kids. ‘Parents must however understand that some of these movies promote negative behaviors to their kids. Currently, the Disney movies have been accused of promoting child abuse; this is because many of the movies contain some violent scenes. Young children tend to practice what they see on these screens hence when they watch movies with violent scenes then try to do what they watched. An example of these movies is the peter pan movie; the cartoon movie invokes strong emotions in children due to the main story. Some of the ways in which the Disney corrupts children include; Racial stereotypes Many of the children Disney movies have ambiguous and ballant messages that promote discrimination between races. An example is the movie ‘Dumbo, in this cartoon movie, the attire and the language clearly mock African Americans. The black characters in the movie only exist to help the white protagonists. Satanic imagery Evidence shows that at the time Disney uses subtle themes of Satanism in their children films; an example is the beauty and the beast movie in which the beast is portrayed as a creature with fangs which portrays Lucifer. These scenes affect the way the children think, the story in the movie may result to kids thinking that Satan is to be loved. Sexual harassment is acceptable In many children movies, the main theme of the Disney princess involves a pretty woman awakened by and approved kiss on the lips from a man. Since in many cases the kiss is not approved then this portrays sexual harassment B. What children learn from Disney These are some of the negative impacts found in the childrens Disney movies, the movies however also have some positive impacts. These impacts mainly rise from the artworks in these movies, from this one finds children try to create their art masterpieces. When children watch some, of these movies they transfer them to real life, for example, some may engage in painting and drawing that in turn improves their moods and enable them develop positively in life. Watching the Disney movies help improve concentration abilities of children. Also, some of the movies provide them with educational, recreational activities and contributes to their self-esteem and peace of mind. The services and the products from Disney Company that is the movies and the toys act as a source of happiness for the children. When they play with the toys and watch some of the animation movies from Disney, then they tend to lead a healthy stress-free life as in most cases they are happy. Disney and culture Disney services and the product does influence the culture in America and other countries, known all around the world the company remains one as a mark for the American culture. It marks all the parks of the American cultures that include live action films, animated movies, childrens books, merchandising, network television and theme parks. The ideas from the Disney Company ranging from the vanity of the American past, hopefulness in the future, devotion to pastrol values and the belief in technology and industry infuse into Americans popular thoughts. This appreciation give to the Disney influences and popularity signifies how one can understand the American culture. Disney services and the products cut across social, economic, and educational barriers, not only in America but also in almost the whole world. This means that at some point Disney results to a culture that makes the elements of day to day life and also develops some sort of a common language (Where Magic Lives, 2002). Culture of different countries has manifested in the various products, mainly the movies, television programs and the music from Disney.one of the element in these products that tend to attract audience from difference cultures is the role of gender. The gender roles in some of these movies affect the culture negatively, for example in many of these movies, women are portrayed as sex objects, and victims while men are portrayed as the breadwinners and at times the owners of these women. This has impacts on some cultures, as women are not just sexual objects neither are they always the victims (Lefkon, 2006). Effect on music Some of the Disney movies and plays are musicals which tend to impact also on the culture of music. In many cases, the impact on the music culture is positive, in movies such as Frozen, music is used as a tool for relieving stress, and as a tool for happiness.in the movie, the characters sing either to show their stressed mood or to show their happy mood. This can be important to children, as music is helps in both cases. Effect on dance Disney also impacts on the music cultures, but just as music, in many cases it has positive impacts on the dance cultures. The Disney movies adapt the exact dance cultures from difference continents in the world. For example, the dance in African based animation like the lion king, the dance cultures in the movie are the same as to those in Africa. Effects on clothing and accessories Disney does impact the way of clothing and wearing accessories, young girls are the most affected by this issue. after watching Disney movies and plays many of the girls end up dressing up like princesses. The fairy tales that children entangle themselves with at times tend to send dangerous messages. Taking up the unrealistic ideals from Disney cartoons and fairytale books affects the child’s self-esteem later on in life. According to doctor Hardstein, princesses movies from Disney such as the Cinderella and sleeping beauty influence the dressing cultures as they promote the idea that for a girl to be pretty then she has to dress in fancy shoes and fancy clothes, with this then she can find popularity and love. This is a dangerous misconception and once a child adapts this ideology then she can face lots of problems in her later life. The ideologies result to negative effects on the girl’s self-confidence, they result to the failure of understanding that generosity, and intelligence and passion are some of the most important values in life (Where Magic Lives, 2002) Disney’s effect on employment A. Photographers, actors, editors, and writers All employees understand that their work ignites happiness in many other peoples hearts. In this, the employees must have all the necessary skills as it takes a special kind of person to work for the company. The cast members and the employees contribute to the success of the company and the brands hence they are the most valuable part of the organization. Once the company employs a person, the management offers rewards packages that help them live their life in the best way, grow professionally, and at the same time grow personally. Many people aspire to work in the company due to the benefits and the benefits they receive; the total benefits support the employees through all stages of their careers and life. (The Walt Disney Company) Some of the factors that attract people include, the companies compensation opportunities, in this, the more an employee remains or a cast remain in the company, the more the benefits. Another factor is in the development of careers, in which the company offers educational reimbursements, development and learning opportunities. Through this, many employees develop professionally reaching the required levels. Disney company also gives their employees time to refuel, in that they get vacations, paid holidays, short-term disability and sick pay, bereavement duty, group legal plans and leaves of absence. This allows the employees to have enough time to them and also rest from the day to day activities in the company. Another factor resulting to demand in employment opportunities in the country is the financial and the retirement benefits offered by the company. The company provides its employees with the 401(K) savings plan and also retirement plan for the salaried employees. Other extra advantages the employee has is enjoying the magic; everybody wants to enjoy the magic in the Disney land. As an employee then one is able to enjoy some of these benefits, which include; employee discounts, Disney volunteers and the Disney employee matching gifts. B. Offices in many countries With the expansion all over the world theme there is more demand for labor, the Disney Company creates many employment opportunities globally. The employees salaries are high making the Disney Company an ideal company for many. The company having distinctive brands and diversified brands as among the worlds leader in the provision of high-quality entertainment, the company has operations in more than 40 countries, and 166000 employees not including the cast members. The number of employees in the Disney company does not come only from the expansion of the company to different regions of the world, but also many people apply to work in the company due to the employee benefits. The secret to the many employees is the companys principle of keeping the employees first; this helps ensure that the employees provide service that satisfy the customers (The Walt Disney Company). Conclusion From the above information, it is evident that the Disney Company has global impacts, from positive impacts to negative impacts. Many of these impacts come from the expansion of the services to many countries around the globe; we must, however, understand that the parks act as retrieve centers from many people. Many people around the world visit these theme parks for fun and to relax, the theme parks act as areas where people take their children during the holidays to relax. On the entertainment part, it is evident that the Disney is on the frontline, with the movies, the music, and the plays. People use all this services as source of happiness, this shows that even with the unending critics against the company, its services have more advantages as compared to the disadvantages. The services from the company cuts across many cultures, they can be both used for educational purposes and not only for children but all the people. Many people who visit the theme parks especially those with kids believe that the Disney creates magic and fun. They believe that the place creates happy memories of childhood that are brought back to life in their children. Their focus is on the happiness the place brings to their kids as the character the kids see in the movies is happily there to pose with them. The place as per Deb Koma makes people so happy and is so perfect (Lefkon, 2006) . The company collaborates with local organizations; this helps engage the talent and the time of the employees and cast members which in turn provides opportunities and inspiration for families and kid enhancing the local communities. Therefore, the Disney as a whole that is all the sections and the services in the company focuses on creating fun educating the children, shaping cultures and creating employments Work cited "Disney.com | The Official Home for All Things Disney." Web. 8 Apr. 2015. . "The Walt Disney Company Home | Jobs and Careers." Web. 8 Apr. 2015. . "The Walt Disney Company." Web. 8 Apr. 2015. . Brockus, Susan. "Where Magic Lives™: Disneys Cultivation, Co-Creation, and Control of Americas Cultural Objects." Popular Communication: 191-211. Print. Giroux, Henry A. The Mouse That Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000. Print. King, Margaret J. "Disneyland And Walt Disney World: Traditional Values In Futuristic Form." The Journal of Popular Culture: 116-40. Print. Lefkon, Wendy. Walt Disney World Resort Where Magic Lives. U.S.: Disney Enterprises, 2006. Print. Read More