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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Am I a bad person that I have a visceral reaction when I see girls in traditional princess costumes? If they’re non-traditional like Mulan or Leia (ie people who actually DO something) I’m okay with it. Even the Frozen princesses who are so popular nowadays seem to just exist to be blonde and pretty. Btw I have a 5yo and so far we’ve been doing creative/neutral costumes like doctor or monkey, but she’s starting to get influenced by her K classmates :-/[/quote]

I don’t think you are a bad person, but it is bad. You may want to think about getting therapy to understand why it bothers you so much. [/quote]

Oh I know why it bothers me - because I respect (and want DD to emulate) people who do things rather than people who are just pretty. Same reason I prefer Elena Kagan to Kim Kardashian. But yes, I should recognize it’s a phase, likely fueled by peer pressure, and has little bearing on future interests.[/quote]

I think your reaction is defensive. I think you believe those girls are being manipulated or diminished somehow and you want to save them.  It is perhaps well intentioned but it is also misguided.  Kids like what they like.  My daughter loved dinos, horses, cats etc.  Never cared for princesses much except for Ariel because she was sort of a fish.  Son never cared much for super heroes, sports, trucks, etc.  Prefers maps and reading.  I did NOTHING to discourage princesses and more boyish stuff.  In fact, at times I wished they had more stereotypical interests.  But many of their buddies love the stereotypical stuff and they have learned that they don't have to be carbon copies of their friends.

If you want your daughter to be like Elana Kagan or another strong woman, teach her to be true to herself--whatever that is.  You have no idea--perhaps Kagan, Sotomayor, Barrett, O'Connor and Ginsberg all dressed as princesses when they were kids.  Let kids be kids and support them in healthy decisions.  Dressing like a princess is normal and healthy for a little girl.  And for many girls it is a natural thing--organic and from their hearts.  For others, no amount of peer pressure will make them dress as a princess.    [/quote]

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