On the train this morning, I overhear a father reading “Little Red Riding Hood” to his daughter. I admit I was happy to see a father reading to his child, especially on the train. Regrettably, it is still just enough of a rarity to be noted and appreciated when seen. I was even impressed to see that it was a classic fairy tale and not something from Disney. I smiled because it was a beautiful thing to see, but then it hit me.
This is where it starts.
Every little girl grows up with fairy tales. The classics of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty. Not to mention the several other Disney princesses, added to the classic mix. We females are just shy of programmed from toddlerhood to yearn for romantic bliss before we even know what hell romantic bliss is. This is where little girls first start getting the notions of a handsome prince, on a white horse, who will sweep them off their feet and they will live happily ever after.
Right here.
We feed our children these fairy tales, especially our girl children, that covertly, or not so covertly, start to define roles. And then wonder why romantic expectations are not reality based when they are older. Yes, we have the princesses who have on their big girl panties, but they are still princesses or princess types that perhaps with the the exceptions of Merida of Brave and Elsa from Frozen, nearly all wind up with some prince (or princely substitute Flynn Rider – Tangled, Dimitri – Anastasia), rescuing them from -fill in the blank- and who is going fall in love with them and to make sure nothing bad happens to her ever again. Because heaven forbid a Disney princess be responsible for her own happiness independent of a man.
How do we empower our young girls with tales of strong girls who are not or will not be princesses and that’s okay? How do we empower our boys with tales of strong girls who are not or will not be princesses and are not a threat to their strengths? There has to be tales out there that show realistic yet loving relationships long after the dragon/evil witch/bad guy is taken care of. Where are those stories?
I’m thinking I need start researching this and stocking up on them in case I ever have a grand-child. Yes, I will read them fairy tales, but I am definitely throwing in some realistic tales in between.
Editing to Add:
Ask the universe and it will provide – this morning a good friend of mine posted the following link. Talk about serendipity! Now I know where to start my collection.
12 Empowering Children’s Books to Add to Little Girls Bookshelves
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Let’s see what tales are being told this Day 11 of the challenge:
Slice of Life Writing Challenge – Day 11 – Two Writing Teachers
Raivenne-lations 
We all live in a fantasy world at times. We have to knot the read world is out there. We need to search for books that show strength in everyday life.
I think you are right. Sadly right. I don’t knw any tales without princesses, but I do know that the strong girls in my class like the Marty Maguire books by Kate Messner. Hope you do compile a list. Thanks for the peek into your world.
You are so right. There are lots of stories about empowering woman and we need to make sure we get those books in the hands of our children!
We also nee to share real life stories of brave and /or intrepid girls that make us change our perspective and make us say “wow!”. I forget her name but that young Pakistani girl that was shot because she spoke out about educating girls in a Talibani environment. I mean, “Damn, girl! wow.”