Do Disney’s Princesses Really Live “Happily Ever After”? A Fun Scientific Study Suggests Otherwise!

Disney princesses face far more than the usual dangers in their stories. Beyond dealing with magical curses or evil villains, these princesses are exposed to various risks and dangers. While we know that Disney princesses generally live “happily ever after,” a recent study suggests that there is a lot more to it.

This study is a very fun and interesting paper published in the special Christmas edition of the BMJ, and can be found if you click on this link; all the references and sources are also cited there, so you can check that everything is verified.

In this paper, titled “Living happily ever after? The hidden health risks of Disney princesses,“ three scientists – Sanne H B van Dijk, Michael Bui, and Anouk H Eijkelboom – analyze the stories of eight prominent Disney princesses and show how the stories expose them to serious health hazards, implying that not all of their endings are truly happy, as the proverb suggests.

This report will bring you an overview of the article’s conclusions and provide you with some interesting information you can think about later, so we thank the authors for their brilliant text!

Snow White is often seen as the fairest princess, but her time as a scullery maid brings her to a dangerous level of isolation. Research shows that social isolation can lead to serious health problems like cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and even early death.

While Snow White does eventually meet the Seven Dwarfs, her near-death experience after eating a poisoned apple makes it clear that things don’t always go well for her, despite her charm.

Jasmine from Aladdin has her own set of challenges. Growing up in a palace with little social interaction, she’s at risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, her pet tiger Rajah, while friendly, could bring risks like infections and serious injuries. A tiger may be cute, but it also poses a threat to her safety.

Cinderella might seem to have a story with a happy ending, but her life is filled with danger from the start. Constant exposure to dust, as she works for her cruel stepmother, could lead to lung disease, something Cinderella doesn’t have time to prevent.

Chimney sweeping also carries the risk of deadly diseases, but she doesn’t have proper protection. On top of all that, her fairy godmother’s glitter is actually microplastics that could harm her lungs. Cinderella needs more than a prince—she needs a doctor.

Pocahontas has some wild adventures, but one stands out as particularly dangerous. After taking a huge fall off a cliff, which we estimate to be over 250 meters high, Pocahontas is lucky to survive. Falls from such heights can cause broken bones or worse, especially since the fall itself could cause serious injuries.

Aurora, known as Sleeping Beauty, faces health problems of a different kind. After being cursed to sleep for years, she faces the dangers of prolonged bed rest. Studies show that too much time in bed can lead to heart disease, muscle loss, and more. Despite this, Prince Philip’s kiss breaks the spell quickly, so she avoids these problems. Still, it’s clear her sleep wasn’t as peaceful as it seemed.

Mulan might be one of the strongest princesses, but she faces emotional and psychological trauma. Her story involves pressure from her family and society, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Although she fights for her family, the constant stress weighs heavily on her mental health.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast faces a unique health issue. Living with the Beast, who is a dangerous chimera with many animal traits, exposes her to serious health risks, including infections like rabies and brucellosis.

Although the Beast isn’t evil, the potential health dangers are real. Belle might be better off avoiding these risks, but the alternative with Gaston would likely be worse for her mental health.

Rapunzel has some serious hair problems. Her long, magical hair might be her best feature, but it also causes pain. Pulling her hair constantly to use it as an elevator could lead to permanent hair loss or severe scalp pain. This condition is called traction alopecia, and it could lead to lasting issues that even her magical hair can’t fix.

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These princesses may live happily ever after, but their lives are filled with serious health risks. The authors conclude that it’s clear that Disney needs to rethink how these characters manage their well-being, whether that means providing better protection from dangerous creatures or ensuring they get the medical attention they need.

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