and
Before I continue, let me clarify that I LOVE both of the above. I think both concepts are beyond awesome. We should be encouraging everything going on in the above in BOTH sexes. Shouldn't boys also be aware of the strong women in history? Why can't boys and girls work together to create and build? So yes, it drives me bonkers when "girl" versions of toys are created. (Really Lego, we need pink and purple blocks for girls?) However, this isn't the fault of the Disney princess.
Actually, the Disney princesses have exhibited characteristics of what we hope girls would do. For example: Cinderella knew that as evil as her stepmother and sisters were, they couldn't take away her hope in something better. Hello optimism. Then there is Aurora. Granted, she slept through her rescue, but she also taught us to be extremely patient with our old biddy aunts. You know, the ones who delight in amusingly judging and ordering people around. They are harmless and incredibly loving but can also be exhausting when telling you why your hair looks bad or that the guy you're dating is/isn't the right one. Next up is Ariel the red-haired Miss Independent. I mean, sure she used nefarious means to get what she wanted originally, but she took risks and stood up for what she believed was best for her. In the end, her father recognized her strong nature and let her go (perhaps a good lesson for parents as well?). Jasmine showed us not to settle for just any prince because you are supposed to. And of course my all time favorite, Belle, knew that what was on the inside far outweighed what was on the outside.
It doesn't seem to me like these princesses are completely destroying girls for the rest of their lives. My money is on the parents (as it usually is) because it is the parents, often acting on standards set by society, who set the example of acceptable "girl" behavior. My childhood did involve a myriad of Barbies and Disney tales full of sparkle, lace, pink, and Prince Charming. It also included He-Man, Ninja Turtles, Wonder Woman, original Legos, Star Wars, and Voltron. (Yes, I loved my Voltron so much that I took it to bed with me. Go ahead, ask my parents why it mysterious disappeared. Something about a "toy recall"-I was DEVASTATED.) I think I'm doing pretty okay. I even have two little boys who have reinforced my excitement with dinosaurs, superheroes, and robots/aliens. But you better believe they not only know who Jake and the Neverland Pirates are, they also are fans of Sofia the First.
We need to stop seeing Disney princesses as what is wrong with being a girl and more of only part of the complexity of what being a girl is.
