by 
Recently I have stumbled across several articles lashing out at the idea of crown-wearing-princess-loving little girls and the parents that continue to buy into the multibillion dollar market; books claiming that their daughter has been devoured by a certain princess and articles offering ‘Princess Recovery Programs.”
“This princess mania, many argue, leaves girls all mixed up: while they excel in school and outpace their male peers in science and math, they also obsess about Prince Charming and who has the prettiest dress, learning—from a mix of mass marketing and media—not that girls are strong, smart, or creative, but that each is a little princess of her own, judged by the beauty of her face (and gown). Just think about the fairy tales themselves: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White—all pitted against evil, ugly old women (read: age = awfulness), waiting for the prince they’ve never met to fall for their beauty (not smarts) and rescue them from misery. In The Little Mermaid, Ariel literally trades in her voice for the chance a man she’s never met will love her in return.”
(http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/01/26/disney-princesses-and-the-battle-for-your-daughter-s-soul.html)
Do I want my daughter to grow up thinking she needs a boy to rescue her in order to be happy? No. But can that mindset be blamed on allowing our girls to watch Disney films and the mass marketing that accompanies it? Isn’t it a parent’s job to teach their daughters self-respect and self-worth?
I watched Disney films as a child and I like to think I turned out just fine. I’d put on big puffy dresses, glitter soaked shoes, a tiara and pretend to be a princess…. but if that darn prince didn’t come rescue me, you bet your ass I didn’t sit around waiting for him. I grabbed my nearest sword, magic wand, or wrapping paper tube and I’d slay the dragon myself.
I won’t argue that these movies and marketing strategies sometimes give our girls the wrong impression and if not careful a parent may find their child interested in only all-things-princess. But isn’t it possible that these fairytales also teach our girls something more? The princesses, they all have their own woes and their own challenges. Their lives aren’t perfect. Like most girls in their teenage years, they feel alone, alienated, different. These princesses chase their dreams, they don’t change who they are for anyone, not a prince or wicked step mother (well, except for Ariel…).
The gorgeous gowns and tiaras? Many of the scenes in the Disney films don’t depict the girls in beautiful dresses. Give a kid a broom and dustpan and let her be Cinderella. Odds are, she will enjoy that just as much as wearing the princess gown.
Their love interests? A beast, a beggar, a (gasp) human? No prejudice there. As a parent shouldn’t we be pointing out the important lessons from these great stories? Belle knows it’s what is inside that matters, not the beastly outside. Ariel falls in love with someone who looks different from herself. Jasmine refuses to marry simply for money.
The girls are independent, strong, and fight for their dreams. They strive for independence… and if they snag a good-looking guy in the end, what’s the harm in that?
As a parent I think it’s wise to be aware of what media may be teaching your child, however at the end of the day, it’s still the parent’s responsibilty to deal with the issues head on.
