Why are there no Mothers in Disney Movies?

Question

Most of the main characters are raised by their Fathers, fairies, nannies, they're orphans, or their mother is killed/taken away. I'm just discussing this phenomenon with a friend and we're wondering if there are any mothers that actually mother in DIsney movies. Oh and most of the fathers are completely clueless.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

that's true. alot of the characters in Disney cartoons don't have moms...the Disney movies with people were a little different. let's see..
Pocahontas: no mom (who knows)
Little Mermaid: no mom (who knows)
Sleeping Beauty: there were parents but she was taken away
Cinderella: dead mom/dad
Beauty and the Beast: no mom
Mulan: no mom
Finding Nemo: mom gets eaten
Bambi: mom gets shot
Pinocchio: Gepetto wasn't married
Snow White: no mom
Shrek: had no parents
Hmm....like the previous poster said, alot of Disney movies are based on old time Fairy Tales. Back in those days, many women died in childbirth or died at very young ages because the life spans were so short. Also, there was always plague, cholera, etc. However, that wouldn't explain why the dads were still alive (everything but the childbirth part).
My personal opinion is that the majority of Disney movies and fairy tales are about a vulnerable character being "rescued" by someone else (fairy godmother, prince charming, etc). The character always seems vulnerable and part of it is because they are either an orphan or without the usual primary caretaker which is mom. Makes the "rescue" that much more exciting!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

The point about being "rescued" is a good one. Not having a mother figure to either shelter a child, or to talk them out of running off at 16 and marrying the first prince they find, does make it far more romantic of a story. Thanks for your insight!

Answer 2

Wow, that is true!

But, yes there is! The only thing is that it is a dog!!!

Lady and the Tramp 2

Also Peter Pan- that is all I can come up with though... That's weird!

Answer 3

Now that i think of it your right.

Answer 4

not necessarily the mom in the princess diaries was,sky high,and freaky Friday.

Answer 5

It could be that a lot of the most popular early Disney movies are based on fairy tales that were first orally told and then written down in a time when it was way more common for mothers to die young, often in childbirth. Then the later Disney movies, when they try to do something new anyway, are modeled on that early storyline.

Answer 6

I agree with most of the answers all ready given, but lets see if I can come with any more mom examples.....

Hercules - Had 2 Moms, one on earth, one on Mt. Olympus
Toy Story - Andy had a Mom
Dumbo - I think her name was Jumbo
Tarzan - Monkey Mom
Lion King - Mufasa had a wife, but I'm blanking on her name...Sarabi?


That is all I got.

Answer 7

you know... it was said that roy disney's mom was dead n he probably never saw her.. so that might be the reason

Source(s):

sure that i heard it once

Answer 8

A lot of Disney movies were taken from old fairy tales when they had a lot of health problems. Things such as infections developing during birth or plagues.

Answer 9

There was a mom in Lady and the Tramp. Mrs Darling and Lady became a mom.
The 101 Dalmatians had a mom.
Peter Pan -Wendy had a mom.
Mulan had a mom and grandmother.
Parent Trap had a mom.
Beethoven had a mom.
Mary Poppins even though she was off protesting.
When there are moms there are also multiple generations represented.Cant come up with anymore disney movies off the top of my head.

Answer 10

You know I have never thought about this, but it is so true!!! Maybe because everyone who started disney are men?