As I make my way through the 1/2 way point of this "enchanting" book I am not sure I am learning a lot but I am thinking a great deal and taking a bit of time to process my ability to raise a daughter in this crazy world we live in. Maybe we are over thinking this princess phenomenon. Maybe not, I just received my nieces 1st birthday party invitation, and it was Tinkerbell. We do encourage it, maybe not on purpose or with much thought, but we do, well some of us do.
In the last chapter or two here are a few thoughts and questions to get you thinking.
Will you let your daughter have and/or play with a toy gun? I guess the question for me was not my daughter, but my children. If I would let my son, why wouldn't I let my daughter. However, it was interesting that the author in questioning several moms, they would buy and let their son play with a toy gun, but not their daughters. Why? I for one do not believe that toy guns or "old school" cartoons like Tom and Jerry, lead to violence. Toy guns are merely an outlet for imaginative play, that should be monitored by parents and guided when necessary.
Naturally, most women are going to object to the sexualization of girls, but do you object to girls having sex? We could go on and on with this question. In my opinion my daughter, and son will be taught that "true love waits." However, true love may not be when they are married. I don't want my children to be a part of casual sex or do something to make someone else feel good. They need to be doing most things in their lives for themselves, philanthropy excluded (yes they will be taught that--of course). I don't ever want them to lose themselves. I will not "force" abstinence, they will know that that is the safest for them, but I truly believe that only makes them more curious, willing to hide if they chose to have sex and makes sex seem "bad." Sex is not bad. However, sex should not be used to keep someone from leaving or done because everyone else is doing it. The lesson in sex from my view is be true to yourself. But, I have lots of time to continue to mold my beliefs on this subject.
The ideas in this portion of the book are intersting and the vast history of fairy tales in comparison to the current day rendetions is fascinating and somewhat disturbing and without a doubt worth reading the book. As is the intriguing look into the world of the "girl crushes" or idols of young girls, i.e. Hillary Duff, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Brittney Spears and the like. They of course brought about the sexualization discussion.
The next chapter I am about to begin starts out discussing "fat." Should be interesting and I think I can relate.
