"Turning Red," the latest animated children's movie from Pixar, is making some parents angry, uncomfortable, and unhappy as it touches on a topic about a young girl's first menstruation. While the movie does not mention menstruation or having a period outright, its theme circles around a 13-year-old's physical and emotional changes as she enters womanhood.
One scene shows mom, Ming Lee (voiced by Sandra Oh), passing a sanitary pad and some pain killers to her daughter, Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). "Turning Red" is also about Mei discovering that all the women in her family turn into red pandas when they are filled with happy and sad emotions, suggesting a woman's hormonal changes.
The movie, set in Canada among Chinese immigrants, has sparked a debate on social media where some parents think "Turning Red" is inappropriate for younger kids who may not realize that it's about having a period, per Daily Mail. Some parents also think that the storyline about a teenager obsessing over a boyband is the wrong representation for Asians in western countries.
Are there other Disney movies that are allegory’s to bodily functions? Menstruation is normal, should be normalized, and should be explained to children. Maybe not by a Disney movie marketed to kids of all ages where they don’t realize what it’s about until after it even starts?
— Brandon (@brandon_harris2) March 18, 2022
"Turning Red" and Intergenerational Trauma
According to Vox, viewers also took "Turning Red" as a story about intergenerational trauma. The film depicts the generational differences between Mei and her mother, who also has issues with her own mom, Mei's grandmother. As an Asian-inspired movie, some thought it has touched on the cultural facets of China's parent-child relationship, where children are burdened with fulfilling their parents' expectations, especially the Asian Tiger moms.
On the other hand, other parents said that they were not comfortable with how Mei rebelled against her mother when the latter did not permit her to watch the concert of her favorite boyband. In the movie, Mei openly confronts Ming by declaring that she's not a little girl anymore and likes boys and gyrating to dance music.
Some scenes show subtle sexual themes, with Mei fantasizing about her crush. The animation may also be too loud and jarring for small children with bright red colors and characters with glowing eyes.
Disney+ streams "Turning Red" as a PG-rated film, which means that some of its materials may need more explanation for younger children watching the movie.
What Parents Can Learn from "Turning Red"
Licensed therapist Jocelyn Lam enjoyed the movie because it showcases the nuances of a mother-daughter relationship. Lam also grew up in an Asian-Western household; thus, she understood the common struggles of teens like Mei.
"The movie showed active coping tools and redirection of thought, open discussion of menstruation, accepting that different emotions can co-exist, a holistic view of psychological happiness, and addressing intergenerational trauma," Lam said, per Upworthy.
Lisa Ibekwe, a clinical social worker, said that the Pixar film outlined a phenomenal depiction of how parents can influence their kids and pass down learned traits, and yes, even intergenerational trauma. Kathleen Hearne, a licensed counselor, hopes that parents will pick up something from the movie that shows how children will carry hurtful patterns of behavior. She also believes that the film shows how parents must normalize other life experiences to help their kids thrive and grow.
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