Overview
A recent Rasmussen Reports survey reveals a significant majority of Americans favor Disney returning to family-oriented, “wholesome” entertainment, moving away from content focused on sexuality and LGBTQ themes.
Why It Matters
The push for traditional values in children’s programming resonates deeply with American families, underscoring a preference for parental control over the introduction of sexual themes to children.
Who It Impacts
This shift impacts parents and guardians who are concerned with the timing and manner in which sensitive subjects are introduced to their children through media.
A national survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports indicates a substantial majority of American adults desire a return to more traditional, family-friendly programming from entertainment giants like Disney, expressing discomfort with the current trend towards integrating sexuality and LGBTQ themes into children’s content. The survey, which included responses from 1,255 American adults, asked participants whether they believe Disney should focus on “wholesome programming” and leave decisions about educating children on sexuality to parents. An overwhelming 71% agreed with this sentiment, with more than half strongly supporting the idea.
The polling also touched on comments made by Disney executive Karen Burke in 2022 about the presence of “many, many, many LGBTQIA characters” in Disney stories, questioning the appropriateness of such content for children under 12. A majority, 54%, responded negatively, suggesting that this type of programming might not be suitable for young audiences.
These responses mark a notable shift in public opinion, reflecting a 20% change over two years in attitudes towards Disney’s programming strategy. This shift seems to be influencing Disney’s financial performance as well, with recent releases featuring LGBTQ characters, like Pixar’s “Elemental” and “Strange World,” underperforming at the box office. “Elemental,” which included a non-binary character, and “Strange World,” which showcased a same-sex teen romance, both failed to meet expected financial benchmarks, hinting at possible consumer resistance.
In 2022, a similar survey by Rasmussen Reports explored public perceptions of the impact of “inclusion” and “diversity” in children’s programming. The results then were also telling: 45% of participants felt that the focus on inclusivity was detracting from the quality of children’s entertainment, while only 28% viewed these initiatives as improvements.
The data from these surveys suggest that a significant portion of the American public holds a preference for traditional storytelling in children’s programming, emphasizing universal themes and narratives that align with a more conservative perspective on parental rights and educational timing. This preference is not just a fleeting sentiment but a sustained viewpoint that could influence future content directions for companies like Disney.
