DescriptionThis capstone explores fairy tales and their role in socialization. Fairy tales have remained a cultural mainstay for thousands of years, and their impact on generation after generation is difficult to deny. Fairy tales began through oral narration and eventually, with the help of technological advances, became a fixture in society when the printing press allowed the stories to be bound into printed collections. Even in modern times, the same fairy tales from long ago are being revamped and retold through new media platforms (such as film and television) and for the most part, the stories have remained the same. Fairy tales are everlasting, with their stories and symbols continuously captivating audiences with their enchanting lore. Although people claim that fairy tales have been updated and made empowering, and in particular for young girls, this capstone will illuminate the fact that this is untrue, and the new tales are actually more destructive to women and girl’s autonomy. This research evaluates how symbols and archetypal patterns are the main culprits for embedding patriarchal codes and gender behaviors into the minds of their audience. By comparing older, classic fairy tale stories to their new Disney-created counterparts, it is easy to recognize how the symbols and character patterns within them have not changed after all these years –even if they appear to at first glance. By taking a deeper look at fairy tales—both old and new—the social programming rooted within in them becomes obvious.