I love Walt Disney 's Peter Pan . I have love it since I be a child , and I still watch it to this day . it be a family classic that teach we not to grow up too quickly and remind we all of the joy of childhood . however , caution should be exercise when allow child to watch this movie . though Peter Pan seem innocent enough at first glance , it contain sexist and patriarchal ideology which can be damage to child . in she textbook critical Theory today , -- which be use in college classroom across the nation -- Lois Tyson write : `` patriarchy be thus , by definition , sexist , which mean it promote the belief that woman be innately inferior to man . '' do we really want we child -- or anyone -- to adopt this belief ? when the animated film come out in 1953 -lrb- and especially when the book be publish in the early 1900 's -rrb- these patriarchal view of traditional gender role be the norm . female be suppose to be submissive to male . if they be not , they be outcaste and\/or reprimand . male be suppose to be the provider and protector , and if they be unable to fulfill these role they be consider failure . a lot have change since then . we have gain new insight and understanding of gender role . no girl should grow up believe that they only option in life be either that of `` wife '' and `` mother '' or `` b \*\*\*\* `` and `` wh \* re , '' and that if they violate a patriarchal norm -- such as express they opinion or refuse to submit to a male -- they be the latter . no boy should grow up believe that if he do not accept a risky challenge he be a failure , or if he display feeling such as love , pain , or fear he be a `` coward '' or a `` sissy . '' Peter Pan lead child to adhere to these oppressive gender role through the action and result of its character : Peter Pan always give the order and expect they to be obey . Princess Tiger Lily and Tinkerbelle have no voice in any matter -- figuratively and literally -- they never speak ! Tinkerbelle represent Peter Pan 's significant other : voiceless and submissive . when she attempt to express she concern over Peter Pan bring home another girl -lrb- wendy -rrb- he promptly banish she . Peter Pan be the provider and the protector . he never back down from a challenge , especially if he reputation be at risk -lrb- such as when Captain Hook lure he into a battle by call he a coward -rrb- . Peter Pan never show fear and he never fail . he be portray as the hero . Captain Hook do show fear , for instance whenever the crocodile be present . he lose all of he battle with Peter Pan , and be then call a `` codfish '' because he be weak and helpless . Captain hook be portray as the antagonist , or the `` bad guy . '' the result implication for male be that : strength , power and success at all endeavor = hero ; display of emotion and unsuccessful attempt = failure and disappointment in all aspect of life . I do not mean to chase anyone off from this movie , but rather to provide a warn to viewer . even if one do not know what feminist criticism be , or the meaning of `` sexist '' and `` patriarchal , '' it be still very possible to internalize the concept subliminally , especially through appeal media , which Peter Pan certainly be . so by all means , watch this movie , but watch it with you and be prepare to follow up with a discussion .