My three year old daughter the princess. Thanks Disney.
Every time Ana Isabel comes home she quickly changes into her princess pajamas.
On most nights, she insists I read her a story that's usually connected to a princess. Her latest favorite, Sleeping Beauty. She even has coined her own song called "Ana Princess Rock Star." She sings it around the house.
All very cute. But it got me thinking. Why does she always want to emulate a princess? And it's one that's usually saved by a prince.
I know my niece, now six, went through the same phase. And my daughter went to a birthday party recently where all the little girls dressed in their best princess outfits. So she's not alone.
Naively, I asked my wife why all the princess stuff with little girls this age. Her answer: "Thank Disney."
Since Ana's birth, generous family and friends have given us Disney DVDs and books with stories like "The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella."
It all indoctrinates little girls into this Prince Charming myth that many carry into adult. I never really thought about, of course, until I saw it my daughter.
Don't get me wrong. Disney's not going dictate my daughter's view of the world as she grows. As parents, my wife and I will. Nonetheless, I can see how a corporation like Disney can have a real impact.
What are your thoughts?
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