Comments on: The Princess Problem: “There’s More Than One Way of Being Pretty”

By: Eric Mesa

Eric Mesa — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:31:53 +0000

Overall great article. I’m opposed to the princess thing on the marketing aspect of it all. Long before Disney created this whole “princess line” of toys and clothing, my female cousins all played Cinderella, etc.

My one disagreement with this article is your complaint against the “white” heroines. It’s not some conspiracy. Cinderella, et al are white because they are European fairy tales. If you want asian characters you need to read asian fairy tales, ditto with African characters.

By the way, check out the original Brothers Grimm versions of these stories – they are way less happy go lucky.

By: Shaping Youth

Shaping Youth — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:35:08 +0000

Okay, I just reread this and see that you DID mention Tiana in tiny type before moving on to Grace…I think I need a copy of that book to read the ‘more than one way of being pretty’ part and see if the ‘what does a princess do’ part is answered as well.

Meanwhile, did you see Tiana’s various sketches pre and post NON-official concept art? Interesting how she turned out versus some of these options: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yDwRXvsey8&NR=1

p.s. re: naming stereotypes that I’ve read in the blogosphere, we have a blonde, blue-eyed Tiana in our extended family circle, go figure…

Shaping Youths last blog post..In Bed With Branding: Virtual Worlds Pair With Children’s Hospitals

By: Baby Shower

Baby Shower — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:28:34 +0000

Very nice.

By: princess. « The Inky Eagle

princess. « The Inky Eagle — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:33:48 +0000

[...] movies (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Snow White, etc). Except those kids with parents who think like this. Apparently all the pink and princess hype is a bad influence, creating gender stereotypes and [...]