Over the past few years, Disney has been making a series of changes that have outraged many of its fans. The latest controversy to come out of Disney’s vault is centered around the beloved classic, Peter Pan. In an attempt to be more “woke,” Disney has decided to add girls to Peter Pan’s “Lost Boys” club. While some people are applauding the move, others are not too thrilled.
For those who are unfamiliar, Peter Pan is a story about a boy who never grows up and his adventures in the magical world of Neverland. The Lost Boys are Peter’s companions in the land of never-ending youth, and they are all boys. That is, until now.
In early 2021, Disney announced plans to revise the popular tale of Peter Pan by adding girls to the mix. According to Disney, the decision was made to address concerns around gender diversity in its movies and entertainment. While the move was certainly well-intentioned, it did not go over quite as smoothly as the company had hoped.
Many critics have been quick to call out Disney for its pandering attempt to appeal to the “woke” crowd. Some see it as a shameless attempt to capitalize on the current social climate to stay relevant. Others see it as an affront to the original story, which many people still hold dear.
The controversy has caused quite a stir on social media, and people on both sides of the issue are speaking out. On one side, there are those who say that adding girls to the story is long overdue. They argue that it’s important to update children’s stories to be more inclusive and progressive.
On the other side, there are people who feel that adding girls to the Lost Boys goes against the original story’s intent. They believe that Disney is rewriting history and erasing the context of the time in which the story was written. Some have even gone so far as to claim that Disney is trying to “destroy” the classic tale altogether.
Regardless of which side you fall on, it’s clear that the move has sparked a fierce debate. With that in mind, let’s dive a little deeper into some of the arguments both for and against the changes.
Why Some People Support Adding Girls To The Lost Boys
The argument in favor of adding girls to the Lost Boys is centered around the idea of inclusivity. Many people believe that it’s important for children to see themselves represented in the media they consume. By including girls in the story, Disney is giving young girls someone to look up to and imagine themselves as part of the story.
There’s also an argument to be made that including girls in the story can help to break down gender stereotypes. By showing that girls can be just as adventurous and brave as boys, the story becomes more empowering for children of all genders.
Another argument in favor of the changes is that the original story is ripe for updating. Peter Pan was first published in 1911, and it’s fair to say that a lot has changed since then. Updating the story to be more inclusive and diverse is a natural step forward and ensures that the story remains relevant to today’s audience.
Why Some People Oppose Adding Girls To The Lost Boys
Opponents of the changes argue that adding girls to the Lost Boys goes against the original story’s premise. Peter Pan is a story about a boy who refuses to grow up, and the Lost Boys are his companions. By adding girls to the group, you fundamentally change the dynamics of the story.
Some people also see the move as a way for Disney to pander to the “woke” crowd without actually doing the work of creating new and original stories that showcase a diverse range of characters. They argue that if Disney truly wanted to be inclusive, they’d create new stories that are centered around diverse characters rather than trying to shoehorn diverse characters into classic stories.
Another argument is that the changes to Peter Pan are a symptom of a larger problem within society. Some people see it as an attempt to rewrite history and to erase the context of the time in which the original story was written. They feel that this kind of revisionism is dangerous and that it erases the importance of representation, diversity, and inclusivity in the media without acknowledging its history.
So, What’s Next?
It’s clear that there are strong opinions on both sides of the argument. Whether or not adding girls to the Lost Boys is a good thing remains to be seen, but it’s clear that this is not a debate that will be resolved any time soon.
It’s important to remember that children’s stories are an important way to teach children about the world around them. They help to shape the way that young people see themselves, others, and the society they live in. By adding girls to the story, Disney is taking a small step toward creating a more inclusive and diverse society.
However, it’s important to note that there’s still a long way to go. If we truly want to create a more inclusive and diverse world, we need to be willing to create new stories and characters that are truly representative of the world we live in. We need to be willing to have difficult conversations about representation and diversity in our media, and we need to be willing to listen to one another.
At the end of the day, it’s not about erasing the past or trying to rewrite history. It’s about creating a world in which everyone is represented and included. Only then can we truly create a world in which every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they consume.