Photo: Disney/Pixar

Burning Question: Will a redesign of Disney’s Merida negatively impact my daughter’s development? Will a remarkable coming of a thinner, sexier chronicle of a animation harm a girl’s self-esteem? — Clara K.

Short answer: Yep.

In box you’ve been vital during a bottom of a loch, a heroine of a charcterised film “Brave” got a diminutive bit of a makeover recently. The feisty Scottish archer lass, who debuted during a healthy fighting weight final year, now, inexplicably, has a a sultrier pout, a skinnier waist and a some-more divulgence décolleté. (Stay classy, imagineers.)

The change was denounced this month, to coordinate with Merida’s central crowning as Disney’s 11th-ever princess. Or something.

Whatever. Child growth experts are not amused, and conjunction am I.

“This one impression might not do any repairs to a girl’s psychological development, per se,” child growth consultant Dr. Robyn Silverman tells me. “But Merida joins a fusillade of thin, moist characters for girls, creation her nonetheless another facet of a sexed-up, thinned down messaging.”

Silverman points out that a strange Merida “was dear for her dauntless spirit, her singular demeanour and her disinterest in intrigue as her ‘goal’ in life. Her allure was not physical–which sent a clever summary to girls that they could be who they are– and still be beautiful, dauntless and confident.

“This redesign seems to hang a block brace into a turn hole.”

Or only a skinnier physique into a size-2 gown.

However, only since your daughter’s psychological development — say, a expansion of her demur during around age 4 — won’t be affected, doesn’t meant that Merida’s redesign isn’t dangerous. It is — to a girl’s self-esteem. Experts see those as dual opposite things. But both are crucial.

“I would contend that Brave is directed during kids ages 5 to 10,” mulls Betsy Brown Braun, also a childhood function and growth specialist. “That’s primary domain for being influenced in terms of physique image. we don’t consider this one makeover is going to be earth ruinous all by itself, though it’s an component that contributes to a altogether picture.

“We’re saying physique design issues with children as immature as 7 years aged — immature children who contend they’re on a diet or that they consider they’re fat. There’s a lot of information display that children that age already brand with a saucy, voluptuous image.”

Such as, say, a new, hot-cha-cha Merida? Let’s wish not.

Watch a trailer for ‘Brave’: