July 30, 2023
If there’s one thing that young girls aged 3 to 7 could benefit from, it’s a support group called Princesses Anonymous. “Hi, I’m Mia. I’m 5, and I think Cinderella is so pretty!” “I’m Ava, and I wish the Beast would keep me in his castle forever!” “I’m Ella, and I hope one day a prince will kiss me while I sleep and then I’ll marry him.”
Many parents cringe at these clichés, but as a father raising a daughter without a mother figure, I feel an even stronger urge to steer her away from these outdated ideals. Every time she dresses up or expresses interest in whom she might marry, I worry about losing her to a narrow, antiquated view of femininity that dates back centuries.
Fellow parents, you understand the maddening tropes that these cherished tales perpetuate:
Submissive Female Characters
In fairy tales, women often seem to do little beyond waiting around for a man to save them. Take Snow White: her stepmother is on a relentless hunt to kill her, and all Snow White can think of is running to the woods and begging seven strangers for help. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if she fought back or at least informed her father about his wife’s murderous tendencies?
Sketchy Male Characters
Imagine being approached by a man in a bar claiming to be a wealthy prince with magical flying carpets. It’s a terrible pickup line, yet in Aladdin, the princess falls for it, marrying him even after discovering the truth! Fairy tales often reward the most sleazy advances. The Beast keeps a naive woman captive, yet he wins her heart and his freedom.
Looks Over Substance
Have you ever encountered a fairy tale featuring an ‘ugly’ princess? Me neither. More often than not, the narrative emphasizes beauty. Belle’s looks are so central that they’re highlighted in the title itself. Cinderella is too self-conscious to attend a royal ball without her fairy godmother’s makeover. Snow White’s evil queen is obsessed with her own beauty, asking her magic mirror if anyone is prettier than she is.
Marriage Equals Happily Ever After
It’s only natural for little girls to dream of fairytale weddings, but too often, that’s the sole happy ending available. Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, and others find their stories culminating in marriage, as if that’s the only path to fulfillment. Do these princesses not have aspirations beyond romance, like attending art school or becoming dragon trainers?
Despite my reservations, I couldn’t simply banish these stories from our home. My daughter loves them, and it would feel unjust—like the Wicked Queen keeping them from her. I appreciate the themes of good triumphing over evil and the importance of love and kindness. So, instead of discarding the tales, I chose to rewrite them.
With a list of tropes in mind, I penned my own version of Cinderella. I created a character named Lucy who adores fairy tales, alongside an annoying stepbrother named Josh who constantly points out plot holes like, “How could the glass slipper fit anyone else?” Their banter disrupts the narrative, and they find themselves trapped in the story until they restore its happy ending.
Thus, my book, My Annoying Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella, was born. I had a fantastic time writing it, and it led to my publisher requesting three more tales! I got to reimagine Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Snow White.
In my version of Snow White, she learns martial arts and rallies the dwarfs to help her confront the queen. Belle seeks the fairy who cursed the Beast and devises a plan to test if his love is genuine. Cinderella waits until she’s in her rags before letting the prince see her, ensuring he loves her for who she is, not just her looks.
Aladdin’s princess ultimately decides that happiness doesn’t stem from marriage; instead, she focuses on aiding the less fortunate in her kingdom. And yes, Snow White and the dwarfs become a formidable team!
Most importantly, none of my princesses passively await rescue. They embody strength, confidence, and independence—qualities I want my daughter to aspire to.
Ultimately, I’ve managed to create a bridge between the classic tales and modern ideals. The original stories are still available, brimming with magic and romance, but they also contain lessons that may not align with today’s values. While it’s fine for kids to enjoy fairy tales, it’s crucial to remind them to critically engage with the narratives they encounter.
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Summary
This article discusses the need to modernize fairy tales, particularly for young girls, highlighting the outdated portrayals of women and men in classic stories. The author recounts creating a new version of Cinderella that emphasizes strength, independence, and self-confidence while still acknowledging the charm of the original narratives.