Corporate Disney and Youth Manipulation

In 1994 Henry A. Giroux wrote an article titled "Animating Youth, the Disneyfication of Children's Culture" touching on his candid, yet somewhat obscure opinions on corporate Disney. The later, written in 2011, was titled "How Disney Magic and the Corporate Media Shape Youth Identity in the Digital Age. A lot can change 17 years, so it's not unusual for there to be a contextual shift in the foundation of Giroux's argument. Since his views were published in 1994 Disney released more than 20 new films, including The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Emperor's New Groove and many other renowned Disney classics. A lot went down, including the invention of...

The DVD

Google

The Playstation

And many more. The late 90s and early 2000's were accompanied by the internet craze. Not only were new inventions being brought to the surface, but there were many advances in technology, along with a shift in how we share information. Watching Disney movies no longer required a VCR, and was now available through a variety of mediums. Children begin to watch cartoons on their family television, and advertisements soon became a part of their life. Giroux explains how influential these advertisements can be in his 2011 article, and emphasises just how much spending power these children have (spoiler, it's a lot).

Giroux believes that Disney uses its image of innocence to obscure their efforts to brainwash the American youth. He believes that this billion dollar industry uses its money and influence to shape the views and desires of unsuspecting children. Children are a huge money market, and they influence a large portion of their parents spending power. For this reason, Disney has put a lot of money in understanding the psyche of children...

According to Giroux's article in 2011, it was estimated that by 2013 the amount of time an average American spent in front of the tv would equal the amount of time sleeping. 

That. Is. Crazy.

Disney knows this, and personally, I think it's genius.

 Giroux doesn't share my admiration. 

 Is this necessarily wrong? Or just good business? 

You tell me.