Sunday, August 7, 2011

Princess Diary

The Disney Princess franchise has created a monster in the minds of young girls worldwide. With two daughters, I know that there will be years of princess obsession filled with toys, apparel, dolls and home décor in pink glitter. In the movies that shot these princesses to marketing gold, the heroines are often savvy, resourceful and funny. The lessons in these movies are simplistic, morally-sound and well-stated, but I hope that my daughters are able to read between the lines.

Snow White: Don’t ever live with seven men. This should not require any more explanation. Just don’t do it.

Cinderella: If the shoe fits, wear it. This is not an idiom about acceptance. It means exactly what it says. Buy all shoes that are your size. One woman can never have enough shoes.

Beauty and the Beast: Beauty is within, but Furries are not beautiful.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel had it all wrong. Don’t ever change yourself for a man, prince or otherwise.

Tangled: Do not let your hair enslave you. Love your naturally curly hair (As a lifetime straightener, this is a “Do as I say, not as I do” moment).

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