In tonight's reading there was a quote from Beverly Tatum that immediately made me think of an AMAZING Ted Talk by Chimamanda Adichie. It is called the Danger of a Single Story!
When I begin to think about the role of fairy tales and Princesses in my childhood, I am immediately remembering a story my mother told me endlessly as a child. The photo quote above is from a wonderful book called
the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelost.
My mom used to tell me that first the princess would go to college. Then she would graduate and get a good job. Finally, once she was able to support herself, then she would meet Prince Charming and fall in love. The prince she would fall in love with would have to treat her well and always keep her inspired to follow her dreams.
Growing up, I didn't fully understand what that really meant. I wanted to be a princess and look beautiful dancing in a ballroom, like Belle, or ride on an enchanted carpet, like Jasmine. I wanted to go on adventures like Ariel and Mulan, even though both were going against their families wishes. Everything worked out for those beautiful, kind, wonderful Princesses, so why wouldn't I want to be like them?
Growing up, I didn't fully understand what that really meant. I wanted to be a princess and look beautiful dancing in a ballroom, like Belle, or ride on an enchanted carpet, like Jasmine. I wanted to go on adventures like Ariel and Mulan, even though both were going against their families wishes. Everything worked out for those beautiful, kind, wonderful Princesses, so why wouldn't I want to be like them?
Despite my moms version of a fairy tale, I did grown up reading fairy tales, and watching Disney. They were a constant in my world. I was lucky enough to have a challenging viewpoint from the Disney stories, however many young children are not. They need to be given the knowledge to challenge the basic, common messages, like Christensen says. There is a view point that is portrayed in these stories, and it sets up unrealistic expectations and self-images, and stereotypes.
What I really love about Frozen is that it is a story of love that is a love of family and sisterhood. I also think that it shows the truth in family. That times may be tough, and there may be some separation, but at the end of the day your sister or family is there for you. I think Frozen does push against the traditional views of the princess world, because there is not a prince who saves the day.
Your mom is so smart for using Disney as a starting point for conversation rather than shutting you out from it or letting you fully believe in the messages that the films convey. That is the kind of parent I hope to be! I love that Frozen teaches family values and the importance of sister bonding. A few of the classic Disney movies actually have siblings pitted against each other.
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