I am excited to read that there is a book being published regarding girls finding happiness from within, not necessarily from the popular disney-themed "must find me a prince!"
The movie Shrek sounds similar to this, although it did end with the stereotypical "fairy-tale ending" of the two "ugly" ogres finding love and getting married (I think they even have a child!). Pixar, and other companies, seem to also be developing more movies with soul-searching themes for our little ones, not the current mate-searching themes. I think we are moving in the right direction with movies, and it won't be long until more books follow suit.
I grew up with my parents playing the empowering "Free To Be You and Me" record for my sister and I. Not all of Disney or Barbie is evil, though; I think it depends on the context that parents put it in for their kids... my sister loved playing with Barbie and I loved all the prince-princess movies (still do!). However, as adults, my sister and I both decided to each earn (multiple) higher-ed degrees, become successful professionals...and the boyfriends/husbands and children were on the list, but after we made career choices, money and a life for ourselves. (I agree with Susan, though...this is not for everyone, and I say this as a VERY proud, and new, part-time professional and full-time stay-at-home mom!)
I think the tide is turning in empowering our young girls and women through children's books and movies, as discussed above, but as a mom with a son, I think this is good for the boys/men in our society, too! I do not want my son growing up thinking that women are waiting for him to "rescue them". I want him to realize that women are equally strong, intelligent and ambitious. There are so many different personalities of women out there, that I want to encourage him to get to know lots of people, including girls (gasp!), and not assume or believe in the Disney-stereotypes, which could create frustration, boredom and a narrow-world for him to live in.
Comment Reply
I am excited to read that there is a book being published regarding girls finding happiness from within, not necessarily from the popular disney-themed "must find me a prince!"
The movie Shrek sounds similar to this, although it did end with the stereotypical "fairy-tale ending" of the two "ugly" ogres finding love and getting married (I think they even have a child!). Pixar, and other companies, seem to also be developing more movies with soul-searching themes for our little ones, not the current mate-searching themes. I think we are moving in the right direction with movies, and it won't be long until more books follow suit.
I grew up with my parents playing the empowering "Free To Be You and Me" record for my sister and I. Not all of Disney or Barbie is evil, though; I think it depends on the context that parents put it in for their kids... my sister loved playing with Barbie and I loved all the prince-princess movies (still do!). However, as adults, my sister and I both decided to each earn (multiple) higher-ed degrees, become successful professionals...and the boyfriends/husbands and children were on the list, but after we made career choices, money and a life for ourselves. (I agree with Susan, though...this is not for everyone, and I say this as a VERY proud, and new, part-time professional and full-time stay-at-home mom!)
I think the tide is turning in empowering our young girls and women through children's books and movies, as discussed above, but as a mom with a son, I think this is good for the boys/men in our society, too! I do not want my son growing up thinking that women are waiting for him to "rescue them". I want him to realize that women are equally strong, intelligent and ambitious. There are so many different personalities of women out there, that I want to encourage him to get to know lots of people, including girls (gasp!), and not assume or believe in the Disney-stereotypes, which could create frustration, boredom and a narrow-world for him to live in.
June 29, 2008 - 5:49amThis Comment
Reply