Peggy Orenstein on the 'Princess Culture'
Peggy Orenstein, author of "Cinderella Ate My Daughter," has plenty of insight about how our culture views women and their feminine tendencies. Peggy believes that elements of our society, such as child beauty pageants and the idolization of the Kardashians, are contributing to reinforced stereotypes that girls feels they must live by.
"It's part of this idea that tells little girls that self-absorption is the same as self-confidence," Peggy says. "[It tells them] that how they look is who they are. They're being told that over and over."
Peggy discusses how, in years past, our society used to worry about 12 and 13-year-old girls who have these issues, but now we are seeing these trends in girls as young as 3.
Hear Peggy's thoughts on the "princess culture," and what she does to foster strength and independence in raising her daughter.
What do you do to avert your own daughter from the "princess culture"? Tell us in the comments below.
Comments
For one thing, I didn't dress my daughters exclusively in frilly pink clothing. I discouraged them from participating in anything that would objectify them as passive and pretty (or, God forbid, sex objects). I praised them for their accomplishments more than for their looks. I bought them age-appropriate clothing. In encouraged them to read. But most of all, I encouraged them to have and express their own opinions. We talked about everything and I never told them they were dumb or "too young to understand."
She forgot to mention that Athena is also the goddess of wisdom. Personally, I would like to see more of the princesses like Mu Lan (though shes not a princess per se) or Fiona from Shrek. As an ogress, Fiona didnt have body image issues and she really kicked butt.