Comments on I Peed On My Kid!: DEFENDING THE DISNEY PRINCESSES

"Besides, when Arden plays princess, she’s never w...

2009-12-17T07:49:50.850-08:00

"Besides, when Arden plays princess, she’s never waiting for her Prince Charming and if she is it’s to boss him around."

Disney movies do possess magic. I remember every Sunday night hearing the refrain from "When You Wish Upon A Star" that began the Disney Sunday Night Movie and my heart starting to feel warm and glowy like it was Christmas. The princesses were not characters I idolized growing up, but here is what I do remember being fond of about them: their otherworldly gowns (Cinderella's especially), the rosy glow in their cheeks (I wanted to be pretty like they were), their interaction with animals (oh how I wished I could get room cleaning assistance from woodland creatures!), the danger they had to face alone (the wicked queen, the forest, the poison, etc.), the friends who rallied around them (the dwarfs, the mice, etc.) and the kind mentors who believed in, guided and helped them (fairy godmothers, etc.) These aspects of the stories all held much more sway over me than Prince Charming. He wasn't ever a very well developed entity, more of a vague promise of something good (and maybe better than the princesses current circumstances) in the future. In my mind, there was nothing really masculine about "him" or romantic about the stories. It was all about her journey, her struggle, her growth...and if the prince "saved" her with true love's kiss in the end it was more of a metaphor that we are not alone in this world, and we are loved by something or someone out there that/who we can have some faith in...even when it looks like all is lost, there is still hope. And really, is there anything SO wrong with the concept that there is another person out there who can be strong for us when we are weak or need help? The princesses were never always weak, but like real people they had a particular crises or time of need.

I quote you up top. If I were to analyze WHY there has become this Disney Princess obsession I'd boil it down to what it seems like most girls are reacting to: the magic, the beauty of the princesses and their dresses, the inherent power these princesses have because they are princesses, the hope for great adventure in life, the desire to have a group of friends to share the journey with. I don't think Arden looks at these movies and internalizes any sort of message that she is weak and without a man she will die (Sleeping Beauty, Snow White) or be poor (Cinderella) or trapped in slavery (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast). What she expresses to you about the princesses (i.e. the desire to dress up and be powerful) is the true sign of what she's taken in from these movies and bottom line, the biggest way she'll learn gender roles is from your relationship with Jen. And I can't think of better role models of gender equality than you two.

I agree with you, Rick. I grew up watching all of ...

2009-11-30T16:01:15.298-08:00

I agree with you, Rick. I grew up watching all of these classic Disney movies and my mother stayed home and cooked and looked after us while dad worked. I was never made to feel like I was inferior to my brother and they told me I could grow up to be anything I wanted to be. Even my GRANDPARENTS told me that. I come from a long line of strong women and strong men and no movie I chose to watch for entertainment ever altered my world view.

Nice article Rick. I can relate. Our daughter is a...

2009-11-29T11:37:03.221-08:00

Nice article Rick. I can relate. Our daughter is a Disney princess nut and is also in her B&B/Belle stage.

I'm sure we could break down almost any cartoon, work of fiction, etc and twist them into whatever sub-textual metaphor we want. Of course there are artists and companies with agendas and I'm sure those agendas make their way consciously and unconsciously into the work. Of course sometimes a pretty yellow dress is just a pretty yellow dress.

I feel sorry for your friend's children. What an uptight and sterile existence they must endure.

We took Madeline to the Bippity Boppity Boutique at Disney World. Before we went I knew I would be dropping several hundred dollars for the deal and wasn't looking forward to parting with the cash. After watching her experience the princess makeover, new dress, hair, breakfast with the princesses, etc., it was some of the best money I've ever spent. I'll never forget watching her for those hours and the pictures we have we will cherish forever.

Despite that evil indoctrination, she still has a desire to learn to count, spell and do things for herself and she's yet to stare longingly out the window waiting for a man to take care of her. Although as her father, I hope someday, some intelligent, hard working gentleman will do just that.

Brett