Today's topic might be a bit controversial, and whether you agree with me or not, it is still something that is worth thinking about. I have sons, no daughters, so I did not have to deal with this issue while raising my children. But I do see this "Princess Thing" happening all around me and in my opinion, it's a trend that seems to have far reaching consequences. Just what am I talking about? PS....Princess Syndrome.
I should start by defining what I am talking about. I recently read an interesting article from Psychology Today (link appears in this article). That article defines PS or Princess Syndrome as:
Living life as a fairy-tale, focusing only on pretty things, putting oneself as the center of the universe and obsessing about looks.
We currently live in a culture that promotes an excessive lifestyle and emphasizes materialism (you must have the latest and greatest and you can't live without it). People are encouraged to be more self centered and self important (have it your way, express yourself) and self gratifying (get it fast, get it now, no waiting, you deserve it, you can have it all). Not to mention all the emphasis on looks and beauty and the "perfect" body. Advertising and consumer science has a strong hand in driving this. (that's definitely a topic for a future article). Princess Syndrome seems be part of this trend.
Disney has a long history of family entertainment, and I don't knock that. We've enjoyed many of their movies and videos. A natural extension of their business is the marketing of toys and associated items promoting their themes and characters. But Disney is not the only one. There is wide spread marketing and advertising by other companies, targeting the concept of beauty, looks, self importance, entitlement and materialism.
I cringe when I see clothing on kids with graphics like: "eye candy", "spoiled rotten", "I'm the best", and "Princess". Even more disturbing is the skimpy and provocative clothing worn by some young children. (thank you Miley Cyrus and others) More astonishing, is that we BUY that stuff and think it's so cute. It's the messaging behind the product (subtle and not so subtle) that you need to think about.
Our children are being forced to grow up much too quickly, and mature themes and narcissistic messaging is constantly flowing much too easily into young, impressionable minds via advertising, media, and entertainment.
Take a look at these articles and consider your own family and parental decisions that you are making. Are you unknowingly falling for the image and messaging that the advertising world is promoting? Or are you ok with it?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/princess-recovery/201204/combating-princess-syndrome
http://www.rachelsimmons.com/2011/01/cinderella-ate-my-daughter-q-a-with-bestselling-author-girl-shero-peggy-orenstein/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sungardas/2013/11/25/has-the-disney-princess-marketing-machine-frozen-our-girls-imaginations/
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/08/06/girls-t-shirt-pulled-from-childrens-place-amid-complaints-of-sexism/