All those memorable evenings that started at 8/7 central with the words, ”Let’s watch a Disney Channel movie,” in that catchy, almost contagious tone, gave complete and utter false hope to every child in my generation regarding life and romance.
I know that sounds quite dark, somewhat cruel and unusual, because the words that come to mind when I think Disney Channel are generally pure and innocent adjectives, and the place of origin for so many of my childhood idols. But think about it, as seven to twelve, maybe thirteen-year-olds, we would think about high school, friend and boy drama in the lens of what we know, and that is a quite limited frame. That frame primarily consisted of what we saw on TV, meaning Dinsey Channel.
The innocence and childish obstacles that Disney Channel portrays aren’t accurate depictions of what life in high school really is. From the secret Hannah Montana closet of Miley Stewart, the crazy and amazing life Zack and Cody lived while on deck, and the privileged life of London Tipton, these stories have simple, easily resolved conflicts, and happy movie-like endings (duh) that we have to work hard for in real life, and at times, are completely unattainable.
That being said, the easy and applicable morals that Disney Channel movies and TV shows teach are relevant in everyone’s present day lives whether you’re 12, 21, or 42-years old. I learned that friendship comes before everything else from Miley and Lily, that family comes first from Zack and Cody, that you need to always be true to yourself from Mitchie in Camp Rock, and that a little mischief can never go away from Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place.
These now seemingly simple conflicts send messages to kids that are purposeful because they are applicable to life. While at times I find myself wishing that my Troy would show up on my spring break cruise singing an embarrassing and romantic duet, I like the complicated nature of life, college, friendships, and romance. Good things are worth working hard for, as Disney’s Full Court Miracle also teaches.
Every once in a while, watching old Disney Channel movies can be a fun pastime, even if it’s to briefly transport back to the Sunday evenings of my childhood, back when things weren’t as complicated. But, that is just for a little mental vacation, because the real complicatedness of life is much better. With time comes more understanding and more understanding leads to more potential criticism or specificity. That may lead to more complications, but also the eventual possibility of greater happiness.
Photo Sources:
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