I just finished, Cinderella Ate My
Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein. This book looks at how marketers and
seemingly benevolent "toy manufacturers" are cranking out images and
concepts that formulate negative concepts in young girls (pre-school to
pre-teens) minds. I couldn't understand why my daughter-in-law and son didn't
want anything "pink" or "princess" items for my
granddaughter. Oh yes, it was a difficult pill to swallow, but I honored
it and didn't argue. After reading this book, I now understand how pink
has become more than a color. It is marketing "blitz krieg."
Is "Prince Charming" really necessary for happiness? Does one need to be recognized for his or her looks and not for deeds? If we want to make a difference, we must be vigilant to the forces that are trying to manipulate our children's images of themselves. We as women have fought for years not to be
classified by a "look," but to be recognized for our achievements and
accreditations.
We are capable of being studious, great homemakers,
amazing tailors, phenomenal with numbers, artists with flair, athletic, etc.?
How long have we wanted to be more than a "pretty face,"
"a great outfit," or " a sexy body?" Well, look at
what you are doing for your daughter, granddaughter, and fellow women around
you. Are you helping them becoming a better person or are you just reinforcing
the marketers vision of what a "woman wants or needs" to be a productive and fulfilled woman? "Pretty Woman" is not a real woman.
Can a young girl only get attention from her family and peers by acting as a princess? We are not talking "dress up" using thrift shop dresses, hats, and mom's old shoes in the box in the corner. We are talking elaborate costly costumes, kiddie makeup, and personal grooming items.
What about pre-teen girls gyrating to music that has blatantly sexual content? We are talking about 5-10 year olds. Recently, a current pop culture singer stated she appreciated the younger fans, but her product was never intended for that young of an audience. Mom, Dad, are you on duty?
Youngsters need role models to let them know they don't have to wait for a fairy godmother to come along and make them beautiful or handsome. They don't have to rub a magic lamp to get what they want. The adults in a child's life need to help he or she understand you need work for the things you need and sometimes you get even the things you want. They should also be taught that life isn't fair. Yes! Life isn't fair. That doesn't mean it won't hurt, but it does mean that they need help in learning how to cope with what isn't fair and how to go about fixing it, (if it's possible).
You can begin to "chip away at the marketeers who paint unreachable images. The
next time you have a conversation with a female (of any age). Avoid the
conversational openers "Oh you look lovely today" or “Your hair looks
great!' Start with "Tell me everything about what
you have been doing" or "Have you been following your passion?"
• Encourage her to talk about the things she is doing instead what she can't do.
• Talk about her dreams.
• Discuss with her what is keeping her from accomplishing them.
• Ask her what is her plan to achieve her dream.
It is when we are busy doing what makes us happy that we are fulfilled. The best thing women can do for civilization and the future is to teach each other to be better human beings. When we start supporting each other in developing our strengths and accomplishing our goals, we become real women. Real women contribute to society by modeling behaviors for our children and others in our circles.
• Encourage her to talk about the things she is doing instead what she can't do.
• Talk about her dreams.
• Discuss with her what is keeping her from accomplishing them.
• Ask her what is her plan to achieve her dream.
It is when we are busy doing what makes us happy that we are fulfilled. The best thing women can do for civilization and the future is to teach each other to be better human beings. When we start supporting each other in developing our strengths and accomplishing our goals, we become real women. Real women contribute to society by modeling behaviors for our children and others in our circles.
