Expectation Vs Reality, and Our Definition of "Princess."

What it Really Means to Be a  Princess 

Now I promised myself I wouldn't rant, but once in a while I think it's necessary. I’m not here to hate just state.

The "new" Disney Princess line

We all have a different definition of “princess.” To some of us it’s royal and refined, to others it’s strong willed and ambitious. No matter how we define “princess,” we’ll always have a classic image of our favorite Disney princesses in our heads. Sometimes, change is good when it’s needed, not when it’s to change everyone’s viewpoint of what it means to be beautiful. The job of a Disney princess is to remind people that they’re beautiful in different ways, and that being a role model is about setting an example for others to look up to; and not being ‘”America’s Next Top model,” As much as a model can set an example for others, it’s not what life’s about. As you can see, all of the princesses have been completely redesigned and made over with brand new hairstyles and sex appeal. (not to mention about twice as much glitter) and may I ask why? Their looks and designs have been completely changed and they've taken out the fun, loving quirky side of the princesses, and added more glamour. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Disney princesses as much as the next girl, they’re a classic part of our childhoods; but do the independent, free spirited princesses like Merida, Mulan, and Pocahontas, etc, the ones we look up to, have to be completely made over.

Take Rapunzel for example, even though that one magic trait about her is her hair, that doesn't mean they need to include a hairbrush with every doll they sell. I mean, I love to brush a dolls hair like the next girl, but wasn't her hair the one thing that brought her down in

The newly redesigned Rapunzel compared to the original

the movie? Why don't they include a frying pan instead, to symbolize she's a strong, confident woman who can fight for herself? Speaking of her hair, why don't they have any dolls portraying her with her short hair? Are they suggesting that she's prettier with long flowing magic hair, and not with a short brown style? It makes me sad to think that not even Disney can accept her for her natural style, and only for something she just was only being used for.

The redesigned Merida compared to the original

The same thing is with Brave, instead of portraying the Merida doll as her real natural self, they have her wearing the dress she hates, they've tamed her unruly hair, shrank her waist, plastered on makeup, and added a more regal posture. It's as if they've pushed her towards the whole princess world she never wanted to be in and made her become everything that she hated, once again forcing everyone into that princess “stereotype controversy.”

The same is said for some of the other Disney princesses like Pocahontas, and Mulan, while some of the others have stuck to their classic glamorous design. Over the years, Disney has been the epitome of princesses, providing different colors, personalities, backgrounds, and upbringings. There are so many more different updates to Disney princesses; why do we have to choose one that presents such an unrealistic image to impressionable young girls?  Do they really need to believe that beauty is defined by impossibly smooth hair and a coy smile?  Disney is a huge influence over young girls, and it was a big thing for them to create a princess like Merida, a role model who isn’t afraid to fight for what she believes in. Disney princesses are the first definition of beauty that little girls are exposed to, and it’s one they can’t achieve. I don’t want to end on a low note, though. Maybe next time Disney does a makeover, they’ll think about expanding their horizons to a whole new definition of “princess.”

I hope you guys enjoyed this post, I hope I didn’t rant too much. 

~ Governess Bob