Why The Moms of Disney Princesses Are Dead in Every Movie

Mothers are important figures in many people's lives; they are both an essential parental figure and a key market for many businesses. But when it comes to Disney, there doesn't seem to be a consistent theme—at least not since Walt Disney himself—about the absence of real, breathing mothers. The tradition of protagonists missing their mothers has been carried over into the modern era in Disney films such as ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’.

It begs the question, "Why does Disney continuously depict mothers as dead or absent, resulting in a glaring pop culture cliché?" Disney seems to have stuck with this unusual approach, with references to deceased parents even appearing in more self-aware films like ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’, while other storytelling platforms welcome the presence of mothers. The iconic depiction of Bambi's mother's death sticks out as a pivotal point, illustrating Disney's nuanced relationship with maternal characters.

The recurrent theme of deceased mothers in Disney narratives has become a distinguishing feature, prompting many to wonder why this happens. This cliché is so ubiquitous that it has crossed national boundaries, making the fate of Bambi's mother a widely acknowledged cultural allusion. The historical and cultural background that has influenced Disney's storytelling decisions over the years must be examined to understand the motivations behind the company's recurrent depictions of deceased or absent moms.

These characters also acquire an instant underdog quality as a result of the sudden and irreversible loss of a mother, which draws sympathy from the viewer. Furthermore, the prevalence of deceased mothers in narratives can be attributed in part to traditional gender roles. 

Characters that grow up without their birth mothers, as seen in the 1700s, are a result of historical trends, such as the high rates of maternal death during childbirth in the bygone ages. Beyond historical influences, these narratives were probably greatly influenced by patriarchal views of women's roles.

The societal perception of women's ability to perform "properly" in stories may have impacted the inclusion of mothers in ancient tales. The theme of deceased mothers has changed in Disney films from the 20th and 21st centuries due to outdated notions about which gender is "better" at raising children.

Even though they are unjust, these oversimplified ideas about gender continue to exist in popular culture, especially in the entertainment sector. Disney movies from the 2000s, like 'The Wild' and 'Chicken Little,' are good examples of this way of thinking. In addition to concentrating on damaged father-son relationships, these movies' original plots featured mother characters. 

But eventually, during filming, both moms were removed, maybe because it was thought that having a single father would up the drama. Such restricting beliefs about men's capacity for parenthood and an ignorant attitude toward the narrative roles played by mothers continue to influence the modern dead mom cliché in movies.

– Farheen Ali