Monday, January 24, 2011

Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Journalist Peggy Orenstein wrote a book called, Cinderella Ate My Daughter, criticising marketing towards little girls that encourages early sexualization and focus on appearance.

This has me thinking... The feminist movement is taking a giant step backwards with the burgeoning 'pink culture' targeted at little girls. What are we teaching our daughters - the future generation of women?  Through the propagation of 'pink culture' we're teaching our 'princesses' that beauty equates with personal value. 

The fairy tale mentality that we fought to overcome may be losing ground with this princess movement.  Will little girls start to internalise the myths? Women need to be rescued by men; we can change a man from a 'beast' to loving prince through our love; and beauty is equated with all that is good and 'ugly' is equated with all that is evil.

It's scary to think all of this marketing to youth will shape how they see themselves and ultimately the world and shape generations to come.  Hopefully, strong parenting, the willingness to discuss and defy stereotypes and encouragement to explore all facets of life will overcome the challenges of being a little girl in today's society.

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