Tag Archives: identity

Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect

Flower, Concrete, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger
Flower, Concrete, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger

What effect does the hypersexualization of the heroine have on young girls? Although I myself have a great fondness for Disney and Barbie, and I don’t categorically consider them “evil”, clearly we are doing little girls a disservice when these are the only role models they have to choose from.

In today’s highly sexualized environment – where 5-year-olds wear padded bras – some see the toddlers-and-tiaras Disney princess craze leading to the pre-teen pursuit of “hot” looks. Do little girls become little women too soon?

Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect

How Finding a Fat YA Heroine Changed My Life

Self, Make Up & Hair Test for 'Aida', Mount Vernon, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger
Self, Make Up & Hair Test for ‘Aida’, Mount Vernon, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger

How Finding a Fat YA Heroine Changed My Life by Kaye Toal

Wait, I thought — I remember distinctly, that knife of recognition — is Eleanor fat?

Eleanor is fat. Eleanor is fat and dresses loudly and talks loudly and has loud opinions about everything. Eleanor is fat and smart and terrified. And Eleanor ends up OK, and loved, and still looks like me. She doesn’t change. She is entirely herself, and it’s enough. Eleanor is the first fat YA girl I’ve ever read about who didn’t have to change herself to have a happy ending. I met her when I was 23 years old.