When it comes to children’s aspirations, it’s wonderful if your daughter dreams of becoming a princess. Feel free to indulge her with dresses, hairdos, and makeup while engaging in imaginative play. However, it’s essential to recognize that being a princess should not be perceived as the only option available to her.
As parenting expert Sarah Anderson shared with The Daily Parent, “Aspiring to be a princess isn’t really a career path; it’s a label we often assign to girls. I think it’s more beneficial to empower them with a variety of choices.” To support this vision, Anderson created a platform called “I Don’t Want To Be A Princess,” which features inspiring stories of women across different professions and offers t-shirts that celebrate attributes beyond royalty.
The inspiration for this initiative stemmed from a visit to an amusement park in 2014, when Anderson’s then-4-year-old daughter, Lily, expressed her frustration about being called a princess throughout the day. “Mommy, this is so annoying. I want to be an astronaut!” she exclaimed. The website was launched shortly thereafter, on April 12.
Anderson emphasizes her support for girls who enjoy the princess fantasy but recognizes the need for alternatives for those who don’t. “I’m not against princesses; I just found a lack of options for girls who seek different identities. I want to ensure that every girl feels confident in who she chooses to be.”
Any parent shopping for a young girl’s costume knows that the princess market is huge, and even non-princess costumes are often designed to be feminine and pretty. For instance, even police officer costumes for girls typically have skirts. Society tends to emphasize cuteness for girls, and princess culture is just one aspect of that messaging.
In addition to t-shirts featuring empowering words like “brave,” “creative,” and “intelligent,” Anderson’s site offers information about historical figures like Marie Curie and Malala Yousafzai, as well as stories about everyday girls, like Emma, who is the only girl on her school’s robotics team. The shirts aim to instill qualities that every parent hopes to see in their daughters, providing a counter-narrative to the pervasive Disney princess culture that often overshadows other aspirations.
While it’s perfectly fine if a girl dreams of being a princess, it’s vital to recognize that this fantasy doesn’t translate into a realistic career. It’s limiting when strangers default to calling a little girl “princess,” as it can confine her potential.
As a parent of a daughter who enjoys both the allure of princesses and the thrill of science, I support her interests across the board. She’s expressed a desire to become a veterinarian, and we couldn’t be prouder. A t-shirt that says “incredible” would certainly suit her personality. But if she prefers to wear dresses at home? That’s completely acceptable too. The key takeaway is that she has choices now and will continue to have them in the future.
Summary
Empowering young girls to explore diverse aspirations beyond traditional roles like “princess” is crucial. The movement initiated by Sarah Anderson aims to provide alternatives that celebrate strength and creativity, offering t-shirts that inspire confidence in various paths, while also sharing stories of outstanding women in different professions. This initiative fosters an environment where girls can embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.