If there’s one thing that could benefit young girls aged 3–7, it’s a support group called Princesses Anonymous. “Hi, I’m Mia, I’m 5, and I think Cinderella is so pretty!” “I’m Ella, and I wish the Beast would keep me in his castle!” “I’m Olivia, and I can’t wait to meet my Prince Charming!”
Many parents cringe at these clichés, and as a gay dad, I find myself especially concerned about my daughter falling for these old ideals. With no mom around to provide a counter-narrative to the enchanting yet outdated tales of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, I often worry my daughter might be entranced by a version of womanhood that feels antiquated.
Parents, I know you understand my frustration with these tales that reinforce tired stereotypes:
Passive Female Characters
In fairy tales, women mostly stand around, waiting for their princes. Take Snow White, for instance. While her evil stepmother is trying to kill her, all she can think to do is run into the forest and beg seven random strangers for help. Wouldn’t it be great if she decided to fight back instead?
Questionable Male Figures
Imagine being in a bar, and a guy approaches you claiming he’s a prince who can make carpets fly. You’d run, right? Yet, Jasmine in Aladdin falls for it. Even when she discovers his deceit, she ends up marrying him! Fairy tales often feature men who are only charming because of their status, not their character.
Beauty Over Everything
Ever come across a fairy tale featuring an “ugly” princess? Me neither. The focus is almost always on the heroine’s looks. Just think about Belle; not only is her beauty a central theme, but it’s literally in her name! And the Queen from Snow White? Her only concern is whether she’s the fairest of them all.
Weddings as Endings
It’s completely normal for little girls to dream of fairytale weddings. However, far too often, marriage is portrayed as the only happy ending available. From Cinderella to Ariel, the narrative typically culminates in a royal wedding. Do any of these princesses ever dream about pursuing careers or adventures outside of marriage?
As much as I wished to ban these stories from our home, I also couldn’t ignore how much joy they brought my daughter. I decided instead to create new narratives that challenge the traditional ones.
Fueled by a list of clichés and my frustrations, I penned my own version of Cinderella. I introduced a spirited girl named Lucy and her sarcastic stepbrother, Alex, who constantly pokes holes in the plot. He questions things like, “Why would the glass slipper only fit one person?” Their banter disrupts the story, leading them on a wild adventure until they restore its happy ending.
The result? My book, My Mischievous Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella. I had a blast creating it, and it was well-received, leading to three more stories! Now, instead of hiding in the woods, Snow White trains in martial arts and leads her friends to take down the wicked queen. Belle seeks out the fairy who cursed the Beast, testing if his love for her goes deeper than looks. Cinderella chooses to let the prince see her in her rags, ensuring he loves her for who she is, not just for her glam.
In the new tales, Snow White cleverly disguises herself to outsmart her stepmother’s magic mirror, while Jasmine finds fulfillment in helping her community instead of just seeking a prince.
The best part? My princesses don’t wait around for a prince to save them or fall for captors. They embody strength, confidence, and independence—traits I want my daughter to aspire to.
Ultimately, while the classic fairy tales still hold magic and romance, they also contain some outdated messages. It’s perfectly fine for kids to enjoy these stories, but it’s also crucial to remind them to think critically about what they read.
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In summary, it’s time to embrace a new kind of fairy tale—one that empowers girls and encourages them to dream beyond just finding a prince.
Keyphrase: New Kind of Fairy Tale
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