Practically Perfect

In tonight’s discussion on Disney a point was brought up: What else do we show children? What movies don’t have ulterior motives and themes?

Once again, Mary Poppins is practically perfect. She’s a middle-age woman with no real attachment to a man. Her friendship with Burt is obvious, but in no way is it a romantic relationship that strengthens her. She's strong on her own. One might argue that she betters him, but I would say that his affinity for her is not based on what she can bring him, rather is revealing a fondness for her on his part. This is actually more interesting as she acknowledges his feelings, but doesn’t see the need to reciprocate. Rather she enjoys them. Without being promiscuous. Look at that! Men and women being friends without sleeping together- it really can happen.

Furthermore she helps fix a broken family. In no way is the mother a “wicked witch” figure. She’s just occupied by the suffragette movement and is busy in the classic, 1920s social manner. Thus a nanny is needed. The father is also not evil and isn’t portrayed as such. Rather he’s overly focused and defined by his stereotypical banking job. He’s not a dad- he’s a providing father who is emotionally absent. By the end, the family learns to be a family. Together.

And the kids? They are standard kids. Mary Poppins teaches them to understand the downtrodden and introduces them to interesting characters that provide positive character reinforcement. Some like to laugh. Some feed the birds. Some are cartoons that break the bounds of physics. She also instills good work ethic and rewards cleaning (work) with rewards. She even teaches them how to spell and use big words. Or rather one large word- and for a 7 year old, that’s work.

The worst thing that children nowadays could glean from Mary Poppins is an over reliance on umbrellas. So parents- when sitting your kid in front of “Mary Poppins” make sure they understand proper umbrella etiquette.