If your family is like ours, you've lived through the
princess craze from Aurora to Cinderella to Belle to the newest sisterly
dynamic duo—Elsa and Anna. You've watched the movies, heard the songs and
dressed your daughters in miniature gowns and tiaras.
What kind of role models are these princesses to girls
today? Or do girls even give any thought to them. After all, Snow White and
Aurora are far removed from our lifestyles today.
A while back I posted about the Disney princesses. Basically
I gave my version of their stories. I've included that in this post too. That
part is in italics. I'm going to attempt to add to it but giving my thoughts on
what girls learn from these princesses—and really, a lot of that depends on the
parents.
Hopefully you watch the movies with your children and they
serve as a springboard for important discussions on values, goals, motives,
relationships and so on. If children watch movies, who knows how they may
interpret the values, if at all.
Remember, the italicized part is what I wrote in my original post here
Part One is here
Part Two is here
Part One is here
Part Two is here
Tiana
is a beautiful, hard working young woman living in New Orleans in the '20's
who wants to open her own restaurant. When both she and the handsome, but lazy,
Prince Naveen are turned into frogs, they set out to find someone who can
change them back to humans. That's not as easy as it sounds or it would be a
very short movie. But in the end, love prevails and Tiana's dreams all come
true proving that hard work and persistence does pay off.
Tiana was a hard worker with a dream of owning a restaurant.
The dream was extra special to her because it was shared by her father, who
died before seeing it happen. This independent young lady didn't need a prince
to rescue her. She used her brain, cooking ability and physical labor to make
her dream come true. And the obstacles and hard work didn't make her bitter,
she remained a vibrant, passionate princess throughout.
Living the lesson: Tiana had a dream, and she
was willing to work to make it come true. Having a dream is good, but it's not
worth much unless you are willing to work for it. Be sure to think, plan and
pray about your dreams, then work hard to achieve them.
Key verse: May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
Resources for today's girls:
The Creativity Book by Nancy Rue
The Christian Girl's Guide to Being Your Best by Katrina
Cassel
Rapunzel
doesn't know her true identity as she lives in a tower with Mother Gothel. And
although kept secluded in a tower all her life, she's perky and intelligent,
finding ways to amuse herself. When a handsome stranger shows up, Rapunzel
finally gets her dream of seeing the floating lights. When she realizes she's
the missing princesses, she has a show down with Mother Gothel, and of course
takes her place as princess and marries the reformed thief, Flynn/Eugene.
Like Tiana, Rapunzel had a dream. In fact, by singing about
it, she gets others to acknowledge their dreams too, some more realistic than
others. Rapunzel's dream was to see the floating lights, but more than that, it
was to have an adventure and do something new. So this spunky princess trusts a
complete stranger (which is not a good idea in real life), holds on to her
dream and gets what she wants in the end.
Living the lesson: Rapunzel had a dream. She
took a chance and it paid off. In real life, it's not a good idea to entrust
your safety to a stranger, but it is a good idea to talk to others about your
hopes and dreams. They can help you plan. As with Tiana, be sure to think, plan
and pray about your dreams, then work hard to achieve them.
Key verse: Get all the advice and
instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. Proverbs
19:20
Resources for today's girls
The Uniquely Me Book by Nancy Rue
The Christian Girl's
Guide to Me: The Quiz Book by Katrina Cassel
Merida
is a refreshing change from some of the earlier princess. Red haired and
fiery, she is the only princess not to have a love interest during her movie.
Her mother's desire to see her become a proper lady and marry a suitable man clashes
with Merida's independent nature and her desire not to be tied down in marriage
so young. She would prefer to ride her horse and shoot archery instead. When
her mother is turned into bear, Merida has to find a way to break the spell
before Mom is mistaken for the bear that tore off the king's leg and is killed
for revenge. Working together to get Mom transformed back into a human helps
Merida and Mom form a bond and understand each other better. The movie wouldn't
be the same without the mischievous brothers.
Merida's Disney page says, "Merida is a princess by
birth and an adventurer by spirit. She spends her days practicing archery,
riding her horse Angus, and exploring the world around her. She loves her
family, but she wants to control her own destiny."
Living the lesson: Wanting to choose your
destiny is good, but remember that God has the perfect plan for you. He's given
you all you need to live it out. So keep your heart in tune with God so you
won't miss out on what he already has planned for you. Chances are, it will be
more amazing than anything you would have thought up.
Key verse: You
guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24
Resources for today's girls
The It's My Life Book by Nancy Rue
A Girl After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George
Elsa
and Anna are
the newest Disney princesses as Frozen was the first movie to have two
princesses, and both are loved and adored. The song "Let it Go" has
become the new anthem for today's girls. Although the princesses have a rocky
start with Elsa setting off an eternal winter, the sisters eventually find that
love is the answer to a frozen heart. Add in a lovable snowman with lots of
personality, an ice delivery man named Kristoff and a reindeer named Sven, and
you have a movie that is a hit with all ages.
Elsa and Anna are most often grouped together, but they are
two very different princesses. Elsa, more serious and mature, kept herself
secluded from her younger, more energetic, even hyper, sister. Elsa was
probably the kind of girl who spent her time studying, fulfilling obligations,
trying hard to please everyone and live up to all the expectations on her as
the oldest. She also had to hide her frozen touch. (Like the Midas touch, but
it all turned to ice not gold). Anna was impetuous and all about fun. She's the
child you can't get up in the morning, who loses her homework and has a pile of
dirty clothes shoved under her bed.
So on one hand we have the reserved, elegant older sister
who is guided by a strong sense of duty, and the younger carefree sister who
follows her emotions and whims. Yet Anna proves herself loyal and willing to
sacrifice herself for her sister.
Elsa seems to be the preferred princess since her costume
and doll has so far outsold Anna's. And of course she gets the "Let it Go
Song." But to me she's cold, both literally and figuratively, while Anna
is warm and accepting. And while Elsa has a super power, Anna has to sort
things out with no magical powers, just the help of friends. And friends are
something Elsa seems to be lacking.
The sisters are definitely different, but different can be
good. Sometimes siblings' strengths and weaknesses compliment each others'. So
if they can work together, problems can be more easily solved.
Living the lesson: If you have a sister or brother
who drives you crazy, look for his or her strengths. Find out how you can use
your individual strengths and weaknesses to help each other.
Key verse: Make allowance for each other’s faults,
and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must
forgive others. Above all, clothe
yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians
3:13-14
Resources for today's girls
Everyone Tells Me to Be Myself but I Don't Know Who I Am by
Nancy Rue
Faithgirlz Handbook
Anyone have a good book for helping siblings get along?
See it here
So, this is my list of princesses and my own version of their stories. Some princess are stereotypical and some are spunky. Some do exactly as they're told, others disobey but have a happy ending anyway. They are loving, kind, brave, and sacrificial. But some also have wrong values and wrong means to get what they want. So the question is, are they positive role models for our girls or not? What positive and negative values do you think they teach?
Who is your favorite princesses? Has that changed as each new movie is released?
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