Over the past three years my husband and myself have become more and more aware of what some call "The princess effect". It is an all encompassing multi-media and consumer front. It tells young girls to look, act and love like a princess. Tutus and bows will make you pretty, pink and purple are the only option and loving is a fast and furious act.
Yes our littles watch Disney princess movies, we have seen the new hit Frozen nearly a dozen times. Not to mention the iPod in Saige's room filled with movie sound tracks and cd's in the car to keep them busy while running errands. We have barbies and wear bikinis, they like glitter and playing with makeup. We allow our little ladies to express themselves how they choose and if that means going to the grocery store in a tutu and rain boots thats alright with us.
What we are not ok with is the bombardment of products that stand in the way of their creativity and personal identity. And since when do establishments like McDonalds and Wendy's make you specify "boy or Girl" when you place an order for a kids meal?!
Our oldest Saige is a total tomboy. She digs up dirt in her pretty pink sun dress, goes fishing then watches me clean her catch, she rides her glittery pink bike wearing her camouflage helmet. She loves to examine the isles at Target filled with Princess paraphernalia, then quickly run to the lego isle and examine the newest StarWars kits. I am proud if her independence and her willingness to be whom she wants to be. We seldom direct her towards a "better" option. It amazes me the time and effort that goes into marketing to little ones. The same toys that we grew up with are now sold in basic primary colors and an identical glitzy-girly ones. Wooden blocks can be found with barnyard animal decals or in sets of wands, tiaras and glass slipper decals. Same goes with tricycles and bikes, stuffed animals now have dreamy eyes and long lashes. It is overwhelming as an adult, I cant imagine the effect it has on little girls. Is one better than the other? Will the glittery megaphone be louder than the lime green and orange one? Will someone think less of her if she chooses to carry a blue dinosaur backpack instead of a Cinderella themed one?
Under Saige's bed are Legos, animals, Hot-wheels and Barbies. A great combination to make the ultimate city complete with zoo and a race track. I fear the day she tires of her tried and true favorite toys. When she no longer enjoys pretending to be Barbie and wants to emanate her looks. When playing with pirates and flying around the room with her Tinkerbell doll turns into searching for a skimpy Tinkerbell outfit at Hot Topic. I fear the crop tops and high slits in dresses.
We did indulge in the Princess phenomenon a few weeks ago for Saige's sixth birthday party. She requested a Frozen themed party and boy did she get one. We focused on snowflakes and cool colors instead of princesses, magic wands and tiaras. (she did wear a blue tutu) We were even lucky enough to have snow fall the evening prior. A true white wonderland lay just outside our door.
For now we take life one day at a time. I will encourage the girls to get dirty while exploring each day. To be fearless and brave. To play harder and pretend often, being creative and expressive. I want them to know its alright to not have everything pink pink pink and covered in glitter. To love with caution not with the changing of the wind.
We read often and especially like the book Cinderella Ate My Daughter- by Peggy Orenstein. It is a fantastic look at the lengths at which companies go to just to be sure your little ones notice a difference between boys and girls themed products. Ryan and I have had many talks about where we will draw a line in the future. But for now we will continue to gradually guide and encourage to the best of our ability.
