Reply #13: I think it's to show the overcoming of tragedy

[NewJeffCT]

There is something about youth overcoming the death of a parent or parents - look at the popularity of Harry Potter.

But, there are recent movies that are different -
both parents are in "Mulan" and both survive the movie (and, the guy she falls in love with has his father die in the movie);

In "Lion King", it was the father that died;

"Aladdin" seems to be an orphan, though Jasmine has only a father;

"The Incredibles" has both parents, and both survive the movie;

For many children, losing a mother might be a greater tragedy to overcome than losing a father. Though, there are a ton of exceptions and both are terrible events.