From Goofy to Wise: How Disney Characters Teach us About Maturity in Decision Making


As children, we grew up watching Disney movies and cartoons, where we became familiar with well-loved characters like Mickey Mouse, Simba, and Elsa. While these characters may seem like mere fictional ones, they have taught us life lessons worth learning. More often than not, these characters are known to evolve from being silly or foolish to becoming more wise and mature through their experiences. In this article, we will explore how Disney characters teach us about maturity in decision-making through their own stories.

Take Goofy for instance. He is a classic Disney character known for his humorous and clumsy personality. However, in the movie “A Goofy Movie,” Goofy displays his maturity by deciding to bond with his teenage son Max during a fishing trip. Initially, Max didn’t want to go on the trip because he wanted to impress his crush by attending a concert. But by the end of the movie, they have both gained a new appreciation for each other. This teaches us that sometimes, we need to let go of our selfish desires to make decisions that will benefit ourselves and others.

Another Disney character that teaches us the value of maturity in decision-making is Simba from “The Lion King.” At the start of the movie, Simba is a reckless and impulsive cub who wants nothing more than to become king. However, after he is exiled from the Pride Lands and has to face the consequences of his actions, Simba learns the importance of taking responsibility for his decisions. This teaches us that making consistent and rational decisions requires accountability and the willingness to learn and grow.

In the movie “Moana,” we see Moana develop from a headstrong, stubborn teenager to a mature and responsible leader. Throughout the movie, she faces various obstacles and makes difficult decisions, even when it means going against the wishes of her family and community. In one scene, Moana has a conversation with the ocean, where it warns her about the dangerous path she’s about to take. Moana responds by saying, “I know who I am.. a girl who loves her island and the sea.. it calls me.” This teaches us to listen to our intuition and make decisions based on our values and beliefs, even when we face uncertainty.

In “Frozen,” Elsa goes through a transformation from a fearful and isolated queen to a confident and courageous leader. At the start of the movie, Elsa is consumed by fear and self-doubt, which ultimately leads to her freezing the kingdom. However, by the end, she understands the importance of self-acceptance and vulnerability. When faced with a difficult decision, she sings “Let it Go,” and proclaims “the cold never bothered me anyway.” This teaches us that sometimes, we need to face our fears and insecurities to find inner strength.

Lastly, in “The Little Mermaid,” Ariel goes through a transformation from a curious and impulsive mermaid to a mature and thoughtful human. In one scene, she is given the opportunity to become human and be with the man she loves. However, by doing so, she must give up her voice forever. She makes the difficult decision to become human, despite the sacrifices she must make. This teaches us that sometimes, in order to make the right decision, we must weigh the pros and cons and consider the final outcome.

In conclusion, Disney characters have a way of teaching us important life lessons that can apply to our lives. From Goofy to Simba, Moana to Elsa, and Ariel to the rest of the Disney characters, we see how they evolve from being naive to mature and wise through their journeys and experiences. As we watch these characters grow, we’re able to learn valuable lessons about staying accountable for our actions, making decisions based on intuition and values, facing fears and vulnerabilities, and considering the consequences of our decisions. So, let us never outgrow these timeless Disney characters, for they will always have something to teach us about the essence of decision-making.
Disney characters teach us important life lessons about decision-making. From Goofy to Simba, Moana to Elsa, they evolve from naive to mature and wise through their journeys and experiences. Lessons include accountability, decision-making based on intuition and values, facing fears and vulnerabilities, and weighing the pros and cons.

“Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” – Walt Disney

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