Disney Princesses and Barbie

[tinkerbell2005]

Here's my question - has anyone seen any of the Princess books rewritten from a feminist perspective or come across better role models? I can tolerate some of this crap as a phase but I can't stand reading these putrid stories about young women who's only goal is to be married to a prince.

[TenOClockBird]

So far, we've avoided any of the story stuff. I mean, sure, she's into the princess stuff, but she doesn't really know who any of the individuals are. If you find anything, let me know. Currently all we have is that Daddy tells her stories about "Princess Rocket Scientist" and how she saves the world, all while wearing her tiara. ;)

[Grenouille]

Which stories are about women whose only goal is to marry a prince? :confused: We have spent many hours watching the movies, reading the books, and meeting the princesses, and I haven't yet come across any whose stories were solely about marrying a prince. Most were about pursuing your dreams, escaping a wretched home life, or bucking the system to make positive changes and stand up for your beliefs.

And what does this have to do with Barbies? :confused:

I obviously have no issue with Disney princesses or any of that. I'm not worried about a few stories undoing the values I teach my kids. Besides, Disney didn't invent most of those stories. They are based on folk and fairy tales passed through the generations.

[tinkerbell2005]

We have a Little Mermaid book and it goes like this - Ariel wants to be something she is not, a human. She swims up to the surface and falls in love with Prince Eric without speaking one word to him. She is so desperate to be with Prince Eric that she signs a contract with the sea witch (without consulting her lawyer) to give up her voice, the singing ability and talent that she has, so she can look like a human. She has 3 days (or something like that) on land to make Eric fall in love with her - keep in mind she cannot speak - or her voice will be lost forever. Then the sea witch turns up pretending to be her using her voice but is foiled. In the end her father turns her into a human so she can marry Prince Eric - a man she has known less than 3 days and leave behind everything and everyone she knows. I find this disturbing.

As for Barbie, if a woman actually had those measurements she would not be able to walk because the weight of her breasts would topple her. I find this model of beauty disturbing as well.

[kristin]

Tinkerbell - I hear where you are coming from. I agree, the Little Mermaid does make me cringe a little (and I'm not even a feminist).

I personally LOVE the Barbie movies. The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rapunzel, and Fairytopia are all about strong female characters who rescue themselves. I've got to admit, I was really surprised by the storylines given it was a Barbie product. And the music is fabulous!

[Grenouille]

Hmmmmm, I don't think Ariel cared whether he was a prince, though. She just thought he was a cute boy on a boat. And she was determined to be with him, despite others telling her not to. She followed her heart and didn't let anyone stand in her way. She didn't sulk in a corner when she didn't get what she wanted, she and her friends worked together to expose someone else's deceit and in the end her determination paid off.

I guess its all how you spin it, and how you choose to discuss it with your children. I choose to see the positive elements of the stories.

I have to say its hilarious to see such strong anti-Disney sentiments from someone who named herself "Tinkerbell".

I know the Barbie topic has been discussed before. I think Barbies are wonderful toys for kids. Sure, she looks like a freak, but what 4 or 5 year old cares about Barbie's body? Barbie gets to be whoever she wants, and that is a vital tool for girls. Barbie can be a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a mommy. Barbie can help a girl act out social scenes and replay events that were fun for her (my Barbies spent an awful lot of time at "the beach" which was the sink in my bathroom) or scenes that were difficult for her. Barbie can have a pet dog, even if mommy says no.

Sure there are other dolls with different bodies, but I don't see the harm in letting my kids play with Barbie dolls. I had them and I certainly don't strive for that body type, and I never did. There are far worse media influences on body image than Barbie, IMO.

[TenOClockBird]

Gotta say, Barbie doesn't bother me so much. I have managed to keep it out so far, just because it's another toy with many tiny accessories. I haven't looked into the books or movies at all, and Annie hasn't shown any interest.

I didn't think we were talking about the movies, though the Little Mermaid book that Tinkerbell described is pretty much right on with the movie plot. I thought we were talking about those Princess books that have nothing to do with the stories. I can't remember the details, but I picked up a set of Disney Princess books and all I remember is that I dropped it like it was a poisonous snake. The Cinderella book in the series was all about planning her dream wedding. Don't get me wrong, I had a really great time planning my wedding, in my late twenties. I just don't think my four year old needs to be directed by the Disney Corporation as to how to dream about her wedding.

[mamax2]

You should probably take a look at these existing threads for some great ideas:

Great children's books without gender bias (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7645&highlight=Paper+Bag+Princess)

Good books for little girls ("http://http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36340&highlight=Paper+Bag+Princess)

I've bumped both...

As for Barbie, I'm totally bored by the movies - I make DD watch them at her Nana's house :p I'm sure I'll allow DD to play w/Barbies when she's older, but right now, she's more into baby dolls or the 'Only Hearts Club' dolls, which I feel good about because they are GIRLS and not freakishly-proportioned women. They have fun outfits and story lines so they're still great for role playing.

My girls both LOVE Disney princesses, but like everything, moderation is key. I do tell my girls all the time which princesses I like or don't like and what I like about them (Belle loves to read! She didn't care that the beast was hideous she saw who he was on the inside! Mulan saved her father's life!, etc.) I can't stand Snow White. I don't prohibit her from being in the house, I just let me DDs know what I don't like about her. There are also quite a few variations on the princess stories out there. My girls have a set that teaches lessons about gratitude, paying attention, making friends, etc. I also balance all this out with a healthy dose of other forms of media (many of which have nothing to do w/princesses) including books from the threads referenced above.

[Winter Biscuit]

Somewhat related, but a lot of the Disney movies have been slammed for how they portray women, race, and other cultures. You can do a google search and all kinds of pages will come up, but IMO this link provides a pretty good overview of some concerns that have been expressed about some Disney movies: http://www.newint.org/easier-english/Disney/diswomen.html

I'm not opposed to Disney movies; my DD even dressed as Belle for Halloween last year and I had no issue with that. Having said that, like mamax2, I think it's important to talk to my DD about what I like about various characters and what I don't -- and why. IMO, in today's diverse world, it's important to address these issues from an early age to prevent any misconceptions or stereotypes from developing. But, while we talk about stuff like this, I don't make a big deal out of it at this age.

My DD didn't get her first Barbie until she was 4. I agree, they are freakishly proportioned, but they don't bother me as much as some of the Disney stuff. DD certainly has other dolls that are not realistically proportioned either *shrug*

[gretazmama]

I've been enjoying the Little House book series, which chronicle the lives of not just Laura Ingalls Wilder but her daughter, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well.

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens/harperchildrensimages/isbn/medium_large/3/9780060885373.jpg

We've been reading the abridged versions aloud to my 4 y.o. (I look forward to buying her the whole unabridged set someday!), but there are also even more abridged, illustrated versions available too. Here's one:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Q3CZMBDKL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

My daughter really enjoys hearing about early frontier life from a girl's perspective.

[TenOClockBird]

I never thought to look for abridged versions of the Little House books! What a great idea! I know my four-year-old would love that, and I'll bet my three-year-old son would enjoy it, too!

[mamax2]

Awesome suggestion gretazmama! I just checked my local library consortium and they have quite a few of the Little House books. I had NO idea there would be an abridged series. I requested 1 and will check the shelves for the others next week. Fun!

[mamax2]

We read our first two Little House books tonight (a couple of times each). DDs loved them. My almost 5 y.o. was even inspired to ask some questions about new words, where maple syrup comes from, etc. It was pretty cool! We might try to find more for her birthday.