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The Princess Paradox Analysis

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In the short essay, “The Princess Paradox,” James Poniewozik, whos is the chief TV critic for The New York Times, introduces the idea that parents have recently tried to stay away from giving their daughters princess related toys and clothes, contrasting a girly stereotype, and instead, give them a more wide variety of toys, including the ones associated with boy’s stereotypes such as legos, from which she can choose from and determine her own interests. Additionally, Poniewozik states that parents get frustrated when their “empowered, self-confident budding Marie Curie tells you [the parent] she wants to be… a princess [for halloween]” (Poniewozik). According to Poniewozik, past princess culture implies that being both a princess and self-determined …show more content…

Poniewozik focuses on the movie industry in which she describes many fairy tale movies to be rather popular among both parents and daughters even though they are aware of the importance of being a strong, self-determined woman. Poniewozik states that, “Hollywood is discovering that it still pays not to fight the royal urge. Following 2001’s $108 million - grossing The Princess Diaries” (Poniewozik). On the other hand, Orenstein focuses on the profits of the products sold as a result of the princess movies. Orenstein describes a new chain of mall stores called Club Libby Lu in which “girls ages 4 to 12 can shop for ‘Princess Phones’ covered faux fur and attend ‘Princess-Makeover Birthday Parties’. Saks bought Club Libby Lu in 2003 for $12 million and has since expanded it to 87 outlets… revenues hovered around the $46 million mark… Pink, it seems, is the new gold” (Orenstein). Both texts show that although princess culture may not be the most effective way to educate young children, data shows that it is the most favorable among children and parents even being aware of the harmful effects of the idea of perfection on one’s

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These phenomenons bring up the fact that just by them watching this they get a certain perception of a princess and how to be one. Not only does this have an effect on girls so do the approval of others as they understand

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From its onset with its first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Disney has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon today. But over the years, various parent groups, scholars and film critics have accused Disney for creating shallow, stereotypical princesses whose ultimate aim was to find her 'prince charming ' and live happily ever after. In her article, “What’s Wrong With Cinderella?” in the New York Times, Peggy Orenstein expresses her concern over the effect of princess figures like Cinderella on young girls ' perceptions of themselves and how they should behave (“What’s Wrong With Cinderella?”).

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The short story Barbie-Q by Sandra Cisneros examines how children in lower-class families think about social class through Barbie dolls. Barbie dolls are the focus of Cisneros’ story because, for many girls, the Barbies they were able to afford determined their social class. Owning more elaborate Barbie dolls indicated belonging to a higher social class, while owning only the basics or damaged dolls indicated belonging to a lower social class. The first paragraph begins with the narrator describing the dolls she and her friend have.

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Growing up as a little girl, surrounded by Barbie Dolls, dresses, and piggy-tails, sparked my interest in becoming a princess. I grew up an only child, without any older sisters to teach me how to apply make-up correctly or braid my hair for me. I learned everything by myself, using the auspicious approach of trial and error. After entering middle school, I quickly realized my archetypical goal was not exactly realistic. Although dismayed, I was not discouraged, nor were my interests in cosmetics altered.

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Princesses’ in Disney movies are tied down to a recurring theme: the princess that must be saved from the evil woman by the charming prince. A significant contrast to the usually weak and easily persuaded figure of the father. Even though the women are portrayed as weak, nobody stops to think how strong they have to be to carry the responsibility of an entire household on her shoulder, while the men always seem to be traveling or ill. Fairytales are based on a patriarchal way of thinking and as time passes by, it’s proven to be detrimental to society Women and men are constantly being bound to a series of stereotypes.

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In her essay, “Representation of Disney princesses in the media”, Isabelle further infers that the media misrepresents Disney princesses by failing to celebrate their feminine and masculine qualities.

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