The Disney Princess Example

by Lepidlizard

I've watched many Disney movies in my youth, and adulthood, and looking back I see the same themes presenting themselves, mainly, for little girls.  One of these themes was the dependence of a male hero to "rescue" the female protagonist.

Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella were all tired examples of this theme.  Some movies, like Mulan, edge away from this damsel in distress and actually have the male protagonist follow the lead of the female protagonist, however, even in the more modern princess films the female was still put down by a male hero.

The Princess and the Frog was a story with a strong female character, Tiana,  who worked hard for her life and everything in it and it was snatched away from her just before she was turned into a frog.  Only after she collects a man does Tiana realize her restaurant business, even when the bankers said before they found another offer.

What did this story teach young girls?  You can work hard, but it doesn't mean you will achieve your dreams without a man to support you.

Many of the earlier Disney princess movies were subject to a nuclear family setting, but even the modern ones fall short to have a strong female character.

Another similarity throughout the films were the age of the girls:
Snow White-14
Sleeping Beauty-16
Cinderella-18
Ariel-16
Belle-16
Jasmine-16
Tiana-19
Rapunzel -18
Giselle-20

All of these girls were very young to even think about getting married.  Disney raised the age of marriage infatuation over the years, but the place for fairy tale romance pushes girls as well as the pressures of college and becoming a super woman to manage it all.

Even in the animated and live action movie Enchanted princess Giselle never has to fend for herself.  She tries to facedown the dragon, however, this was taken away from her by an overweight chipmunk. Giselle does make the decision to have a "real" relationship and she does sacrifice her child-like perception of love, but she keeps her 

by Raul654

princess magic to create  children's clothing.

Some of these reasons maybe why Disney decided not to do any more princess themed movies, at least for now.  However, the constant promotion of this image of what a girl should want from a young age cannot be healthy. 

There was room for the Disney girl in the past, however, as times have changed so must the franchise, especially if it wants to empower girls.

Days With the Kids

This is kind of what I saw

When I nanny for one of my families, their daughter, Maple, is one of the most creative and free individuals I have ever met.  One of the most memorable moments is when we were playing with a bucket full of bubbles and when the bubbles flew up into the clear sky she says, "When they go up they  turn into stars!"

Her smile is wide with laughter and she continues to spin around making the bubbles appear in the air.

I remember being a creative child with my My Little Ponies creating stories, but my childhood was stunted with an abusive mother and I was a fighter.  I did not have an authentic childhood and maybe this is why I love working with children, I can experience my childhood.

Children are amazing because they view the world without the same burdens adults have.

I remember as a child I you saw shadow people around my house at night, I never told my parents, not because they were Christian, but I didn't trust them.  I'm sad to think how I lost my ability to see the spiritual realm, but I'm trying to gain it back.

It is a considerable question about if I truly want to see shadow people again and open myself up to more spirits.  It can be a truly terrifying experience even if you have a gift and are prepared for it.  All I can really do is work at it and hope for the best.

Oh Ouija

I'm fascinated with spirits and ghostly entities, I used to see a man, like a cowboy, in my house as a child. I was never scared, but I did think it was my dad. I didn't use a Ouija board until recently, I made it myself and convinced some friends to try it. We made a circle, but the board would not work in my friend's apartment, it was too well protected, but when we moved it outside it worked.

The strongest entity we encountered was a slender-man type of creature, my friend said it was probably a fairy and had a mischievous smile. Nothing happened, they were experienced with protections circles and spells, I leaned some basics from them and I have a very strong will. This will was tested in one of the most engaging sessions I had.

My niece and other sister joined me and the board was very strong that night in my childhood home. The most malicious entity there was my mother and her negativity, so I was sure to cleanse the house beforehand and told anything with ill intent to get out. I created a salt circle and firmly said nothing evil will enter and around midnight, we set up the board and it was quick to pick up spirits.

There were three who told us they were our guardian angels. I throughly said bullshit. This agitated them and I didn't back down because they kept insisting they were our guardian angels. I called them liars and said for them to go and never come back or they would have to face me. They have never come back and nobody else there was ever bothered by them either.

I'm not scared of spirits, except when they speak in my ear, that scared the hell out of me and I try not to let them manipulate me. Using a board is fun, but I don't mess around when it come to keeping the spirits I don't want out.

Shadow People

-Response to a Post on Paganspace.net

I used to see one down my hallway at night, they have never appeared in my room, to me anyway, but my sister said she saw a shadow in my room once. I think I feel them mostly, my hairs stand up. One time I think they tried to talk to me, but I was so scared, so I just curled under my covers and went to bed.

I've never felt anything bad, but since I do not understand them, I fear them. But as a child I used to think they were just my dad. I don't know why they are here and I'm wondering if they were a sign that I would follow a Pagan path.

My mother also sees them. She doesn't fear them, but just says, "Oh it's you." and goes back to bed. Now I'm wondering if they are the cause for my fear of seeing trees through a window. Sometimes I see them randomly on the road or from the corner of my eye. I wish they didn't look so dark and scary.

My sister also feels one, outside my house, she says it's feminine and it just watches her. She says I have a male one who watches me. But I wonder why? She also said they got pissed when I salted and smudged our rooms and house. So I'm wondering if they are a good thing.

New Path: Wicca

Merry Meet,

I would like to introduce myself as Shadow Moon and I'm a newly practicing Wiccan. I'm not here to teach but I would love for you to join me on my journey through my progress in the practice of Wicca.

I'm keeping this short because it's late, 5 am, and I'm very tired. I promise I'll write a longer post later explaining what lead me to this path.

Blessed be,
Shadow Moon