WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Raya and the Last Dragon, now playing in theaters and on Disney+.
Many Disney films begin with an overprotective father and an adventure-seeking child who ultimately disobeys his strict rules by entering a brave new world haphazardly. The child is often ill-prepared for the world since they were sheltered from it, so they have to undergo a harder coming-of-age process on their own. However, Raya and the Last Dragon avoids this bad parenting snag with a father who treats his daughter like an equal, providing her with the tools she'll need to succeed in the world.
Chief Benja is not only a wise and magnanimous leader, but he is also an exemplary image of alternative parenting. From a young age, he teaches Raya to be a strong fighter and instills a deep sense of hope in her so she may one day reunite the kingdoms of Kumandra. The best parents are the one who give their children the skills they need to survive without them, easing the rocky transition into adulthood. The lessons her father taught her even save her and the world from the Druun, making Chief Benja the most admirable Disney dad.
From the first time the audience meets Chief Benja, it's clear he and Raya have a close and respectful relationship. It's more relaxed since the power dynamic is not emphasized, with Chief Benja treating Raya as a human being first, not just a child. For instance, he explains the natural forces that govern the world, as well as the importance of trust, as opposed to simply declaring these rules on the basis of "because I said so." Instead, his parenting methods are nurturing and practical, as he keeps the lines of communication open and provides Raya with ample wisdom for her to use when making her own decisions.
Trust and hope are the two cornerstone values of the film and of Chief Benja and Raya's relationship. Benja trusts that his teachings have prepared Raya to be successful on her own, which is why he sacrifices himself to save her when the Druun attack. He also instills hope in her that Kumandra can one day be reunited. These lessons are what inspire Raya to put her trust in Namaari as she allows herself to be turned to stone at the climax of the movie, and she succeeds in life because of her father, not in spite of him.
Chief Benja is a new kind of Disney dad who doesn't shelter or command his children, but instead he imbues her with a soulful awareness of the world and always keeps the dynamic fun and respectful. The mode in which lessons are taught is just as important as the content of the lesson. Adolescents will naturally rebel against stringent authority, as seen in many Disney films, but approaching them as a mentor who guides, not dictates, is a much more fruitful endeavor. This way, Raya feels respected by her father and gives him respect in return.
Other Disney and Pixar dads, like Marlin from Finding Nemo, smother their child and instill fear in them, which leads them to brashly rebel and get themselves into trouble. Nemo does not feel heard from his father and acts rashly because of this. Instead, Marlin should've been like Benja, exposing his son to the world and teaching him how to safely navigate it.
What sets Chief Benja apart is that he doesn't imprint his fears on his daughter, and he doesn't use his parental power to command authority over her. He approaches fatherhood like a mentorship, because children need knowledge, not rules. Rules would not have helped Raya unite Kumandra, but his teachings did. The success of Chief Benja as a father is measured by the success of Raya as an adult. Chief Benja is the best example from Disney of how a father should model his relationship with a daughter destined for greatness.
Directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada from a script by Paul Briggs and John Ripa, Raya and the Last Dragon stars Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Thalia Tran, Alan Tudyk, Lucille Soong, Patti Harrison and Ross Butler.