Disney, an Influence on Modern AmericaWhile many think of Walt Disney only as the creator of the Disney movie empire and Disney theme parks, those like the author Steven Watts, who thinks most deeply about Disney, considers him “the influential architect of modern America” (Watts, p. 4). Although Walt Disney's genius influenced many aspects of American, and now overseas, culture, his empire had a significant impact on what people experience in childhood. BACKGROUND OF THE DISNEY EMPIRE Walter “Walt” Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Illinois, but lived most of his life in Missouri. He started drawing and painting when he was very young and sold his work to family friends and people in the neighborhood. Growing up, he went to work with his uncle who was a railway engineer. Disney had a passion for trains and would sell food and newspapers to people on the train (Biography.com) In high school, Disney took photography and drawing classes and attended classes at the Chicago Art Institute in the evenings. Disney dropped out of high school when he was 16, joined the Red Cross and went to France to drive an ambulance. He stayed in France for a year, and when he returned to the United States his brother Roy found him a job in an art studio. He left the art studio for a job at the Kansas City Film Ad Company where he learned to use cutout animation to make commercials. Considering all his talent, Disney decided to open his own animation business (Biography.com). Unfortunately, this first attempt at owning his own studio was unsuccessful. He had a few short animated fairy tales to produce, but the company soon went bankrupt. However, he hasn't given up on the idea of ​​having his Disney stu...... middle of paper ...... text messages, these can't really be validated as having a real effect on children and families . There is no harm in providing a fantastical and imaginative world for children to enjoy. Parents, along with the Disney Company, support the idea that a child should be a child. Children should have fun and enjoy the world of imagination while they are young. Parents also enjoy the world of imagination by providing it to their children. Disney's impact on our society is based on providing this fantasy world to children. There is no other company in the world that can do this so successfully. It's a niche that kids gravitate towards. Yes, the company makes a huge amount of money, but there is no harm in providing products and services that children want. While Disney is ever-present throughout our society, the impact on culture is positive.