The Disney generation: What unites Baby Boomers, millennials and Gen Z

Disney stories may be aimed at children, but their lessons can last a lifetime. A study by SWPS University in Poland found that values such as friendship, loyalty, family, courage, resilience and being yourself can stay with us well into adulthood.

Some stories stay with us long after childhood is over. With time, details of the plot, the order of the songs and even the characters’ names may fade. What remains are the emotions and the ideas these stories gave us about the world.

For decades, Disney has been part of childhood for generations of Poles. Research by SWPS University found that 84% of adult Poles regularly watched Disney films and animations as children, while 82% still have a soft spot for them.

But it is not just about nostalgia. Our attachment to these stories is also linked to values that can stay with us well into adulthood.

The values mentioned most often were friendship and loyalty, cited by 46% of respondents. They were followed by the triumph of good over evil (43%), overcoming difficulties (32%) and family (31%).

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Money, fame and prestige did not feature among the most frequently mentioned values, nor did the drive to be the best. For adult Poles, Disney is associated above all with relationships, kindness, personal growth, loyalty and responsibility.

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