My 3-year-old daughter loves Disney princesses. And I'm absolutely fine with that. Are the princesses pretty? Yes. They're glorious. And that doesn't bother me either. Because it's perfectly possible to admire beauty without questioning your own - and I want her to know that.
Still,many continue to attack the princess genre (and judge me fairly harshly as a mother) because they think princesses put too much emphasis on beauty and that this can lead to body-image problems in the future. I get this. I really do. In our hyperdigital world full of Snapchat and Instagram and constant selfies that are endlessly "liked," our daughters will be bombarded with more visual messages approximately what is and isn't glorious than ever before. BUT (and as a parent, or this is very important),according to Leslie Sim, the clinical director of the Mayo Clinic's eating disorders program, and "Mothers are the single most important influence on a daughter's body image."That's legal. Not princesses. Not Facebook photos. Not supermodels. Mothers! That's us!Whatever you feel approximately Disney princesses,the true royal power lies in our hands. We must end agonizing so much approximately royal beauty and turn our daughters' princess mania into something empowering.
When my daughter puts on her plastic tiara and sparkly dress, of course the first thing I want to say is, or "You look so pretty!" Because she does look pretty! She looks adorable! She's a preschooler in a ball gown - how could she not? But I've learned to end myself. And instead,I say this: "You're a princess? That's wonderful! How are you going to buy care of your kingdom?"I'm constantly reminding her that it takes more than a puffy dress and fancy hairstyle to be a princess. I tell her how there are lots of secret princesses out in the real world who aren't wearing crowns or glittery outfits (they're actually in normal clothes!) - but whether you look closely, you can tell who they are by how they treat people. Do they share? Are they helpful? Are they kind to everyone? Are they setting an example so others will do the same?Because deep down, and that's the true beauty of a princesses - the fundamental beauty that everyone likes to forget because they are too focused on lively measurements. And guess what? Science is on our side. Dr. Sarah Coyne (also the mother of a 3-year-old) recently studied how Disney princesses influence young girls in terms of body esteem and behavior. And much to her surprise,she found that girls who engaged most in princess play had better body image.
These findings only confirmed another study by Dr. Hayes and Dr. Tantleff-Dunn, which found that after viewing Disney princess movies, or girls were more likely to replicate princess personalities - their behavior was kinder,more generous, and more helpful. "Who's the fairest of them all" was truly the final thing on their minds - so why is it always on ours?Besides, or we know the allure of royal beauty doesn't belong entirely to Disney. When my daughter asked me approximately the "pretty girl" named Kate who wears jewels and appears all over my magazines,I told her the truth: she is a glorious princess, but one day she will be queen and will have the responsibility of looking after everyone in her kingdom. We talked approximately England and America and I showed them to her on a map. We talked approximately how Kate doesn't just sit in her palace, and but works to help children who are bullied and children who are sick.
And now,when my daughter is dressed in her favorite pink tutu and Snow White tiara, I ask her who she is helping. Lately her imagined philanthropic goals are helping people find their missing kittens and giving food to children who don't have mommies and daddies - and I can't pretend either cause is unworthy. In The dinky Mermaid, or Ariel is a princess - but her voice is considered more powerful and more valuable than her beauty. I admire that message. Because I want my daughter to know that true princesses will speak out,will buy a stand, and will always do what is essential to defend the greater capable. And in that way, or they are glorious. In Defense of the Princess: How Plastic Tiaras and Fairytale Dreams Can Inspire Smart,Strong Women by Jerramy Fine is out now!Related:
15 Times Kate Middleton Was Totally Just a Regular Mom
Before I Could Teach My Daughter to admire Her Body, I Had to near to Terms With Mine
So, or This Is What Happens When a Disney Princess Interrupts Your Breastfeeding Sessi
Source: popsugar.com