Princess Generation Agitation

As the mother of four boys, it's natural to wonder about my future daughters-in-law. What will they be like? What will their interests be? Will they have a sense of humor? What flavor will they add to our family's crazy soup? I spend time trying to raise my boys to be independent and self-sufficient. I want them to fall in love without the apron string attachment to a mother. I'm as intentional as I know how to be in raising them to be the kind of men who will enjoy their lives and their future partners without mommy issues.

And that is why I'm so concerned about this Princess Generation. A generation of pink, tiara-wearing, frilly, lacy girls with major expectation issues.

I know that Cinderella and Snow White were around in my day. And I can't say I was immune to the lure of the white dress and the perfect wedding day. But did you know Disney went from $300 million to $4 billion since they began marketing their female characters as 'Disney Princesses'? Did you know that Disney has a line of wedding gowns? You go to their site and 'choose a princess' to view a gown.


I think the future generations of men owe Disney execs a good punch in the nose. While I am training my boys to lower the toilet lid and do their own laundry, a generation of girls is being taught they deserve to be put on a pedestal and that Prince Charming exists to make all their dreams come true.

Where are the tomboys? Where are the girls who can climb trees and play football? Where are the girls who come home with scraped knees and messy hair? Where is this girl?



Don't get me wrong, not all princesses are bad influences. I just think we are focusing on the wrong ones. If you want your daughter to love a princess and still grow up to be the kind of woman who challenges conformity and doesn't rely on my son to fulfill her every wish, please let me introduce to you Princess Leia. A princess your daughter can look up to. Brassy, independent, commanding; all while still managing to stun men with her beauty. And sure, she needed re s cuing, but it was from imprisonment for leading a revolution against an evil empire. This the kind of princess I want for my boys.



Maybe it would be helpful to see the difference between a Disney Princess Wife and a Princess Leia Wife. Here are some examples of situations between a husband and either kind of wife:

Scenario 1
Husband: "Hey, I'm thinking about going deer hunting with Dad. Sure would be nice to have some venison this year.
Princess Leia Wife: "Here, use my gun. Your gun doesn't have the firepower necessary to bring a deer down in one shot."
or
Disney Princess Wife: "Hunting? How can you go out and kill the innocent animals of the forest? How can you murder Bambi? You obviously aren't the man I thought you were."

Scenario 2
Husband: "Hey, I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle. What are your thoughts on that?"
Princess Leia Wife: "I grew up riding four wheelers with my dad in the woods, so I know first hand how awesome it feels to have the wind in your hair and speed at your fingertips."
or
Disney Princess Wife: "Motorcycles are for thugs! And they are dangerous. And if you get hurt, who will draw me a bath of rainwater and take me to Victoria's Secret for more pink nightshirts and rub my feet with lavender oil? You obviously aren't the man I thought you were."

Scenario 3
Husband: "For my birthday, I'd really like to stay in and hang out. You alright with that?
Princess Leia Wife: "Sure, and I can bring out the gold bikini if you want."
or
Disney Princess Wife: "But I thought we'd go out on a date. It's a special night and we should celebrate by going to my favorite restaurant and then to the new Matthew McConaughey movie. You obviously aren't the man I thought you were."

Please, I beg you, if you are one of the parents raising daughters ; go the route of Princess Leia. Teach your daughters about the princesses that are awesome.

**Oh, I forgot to tell you! I wrote this last week, but wanted to tweak it before posting it. After I sent it to my mom to proof read, I opened Parenting Magazine and on page 20, there was a little article about this same stuff. Their top pick for Power Princess - you know it - Princess Leia.**