mlm: disney

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things so I'm starting with a new Media Literacy Monday post. In keeping up the spirit of our vacation that we just returned from (Disneyland--more about this later) I thought I'd do two book reviews.

1) The Mouse That Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence by Henry Giroux
I actually read this book over a year ago for my media literacy class. I was drawn to it because I'm a Disney fan and I was curious. Henry Giroux is a professor and major figure of the media literacy movement and he's definitely in the critical media literacy camp. Basically people who are in this group focus more on the negative aspects of media. In this book Giroux calls out Disney as a corporation whose motives are to sell Disney products, rather than innocent entertainment. If you haven't figured out that Disney is trying to sell a product than you must not live on earth. I do think he points out some interesting contradictions in their message of innocence, but you have to consider the time period of the examples he gives. And it is a business! To me Giroux spent a good portion of the book talking as if Disney were the same thing as the public schools. He also left me with many unanswered questions. I'd also like to know how he feels about the recent Disney movies and movements (e.g., The Princess and the Frog, the Disney Princesses). If you're interested in Disney at all you might want to read this book. It does have some thought provoking information and facts.

2)Polite as a Princess by Melissa Arps
While looking for a new book for Elle to take on our trip I found this one. Chris and I are trying to be careful about Elle and the princess stuff, but I thought this was a good example of my previous thoughts on what the princesses should teach girls. It has all the regular princess characters and uses them to teach behaviors that are good manners. It's cute and if you know a little girl who's interested in the Disney Princesses she'd probably like this book.

mlm: book review

I recently finished reading "Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture" by Peggy Orenstein. Overall, I was glad I read the book. I don't agree with some of the things she says, but she has some interesting points and information about toys, websites, etc that are targeted for girls. I checked out the book from the library, but I will probably buy the book to have as a media literacy resource and because it has some good suggestions for when Elle is older. Here are some of my thoughts:

*I am going to be more conscious of the toys, movies, etc. that Elle plays with, especially considering the background and age they are meant for. For example, Barbies are out for a long time. Not that she's interested in them now, and I have fond memories of my time with Barbie, but they are being pushed toward a younger audience and she has less ambition that she used to so I'd rather wait.
*I think Elle has to be who she is, and if that's more girlie that's fine, but I want her to be smart about the choices she makes.
*I am scared to death of Elle having anything to do with the internet, especially social networking.
*I want her to know that her mom's favorite colors are pink and navy and that she can like any color, even brown like her daddy.
*I want her to develop healthy relationships with boys.
*I want to encourage Elle to do whatever she wants, but to also embrace her femininity (And I don't mean be a feminist.)

I'm sure there were other thoughts, but I don't have the book in front of me now. If you have a girl I would recommend at least looking at the book.

the P word

It seems like lately everywhere you look the concept of a princess is being thrown at girls. Maybe this is more apparent to Chris and I because we have a girl, but it just seems like it's the thing that little girls are supposed to be into. On a recent trip into the Disney store I noticed half of it is devoted to selling the various princess movie merchandise. Parents magazine recently had two interesting articles devoted to the princess phenomenon. The first is titled the princess diaries and the latest article is an interview with the author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Girly-Girl Culture. I haven't read this book, but have it on reserve at the library. Both articles caution parents that the princess obsession may be pushing girls to grow up too fast and teaches them to value being spoiled, the bling, and narcissism.

I'm not saying Elle can't be into princess stuff (although the thought of it makes Chris' hernia hurt), but I want to make sure she understands what that means. I want her to focus on the good messages of the movies or stories, to learn the virtues that are imbedded in the fairy tale. Most of the stories have the underlying message that good triumphs over evil (and kindness to animals : ) ) and each of the characters hold certain virtues. Here's a short list based on the "Disney Princesses":

Belle- wisdom, philomathy, acceptance
Cinderella-hopefulness, kindness, perseverance
Snow White- optimism, cleanliness
Sleeping Beauty/Aurora- obedience, respectfulness
Ariel- curiosity, courage
Jasmine- self-respect
Pocahontas- courage, truthfulness
Mulan- honor, strength, courage
Tiana- determination
Rapunzel- loyalty, creativity (I haven't seen this movie, just going on what I've read)

I think many of the virtues can overlap princesses, but you get my point. I also think it's a good idea to talk about what a real-life princess does. It's not just about tea and pretty things. What good things have real life princesses done with their title? I'm not going to say they're perfect, but most princesses are involved in some charity work and are highly educated. (Did you know Princess Caroline has a degree in philosophy and can speak 5 languages?) The meaning of royal duties might also be a good topic to discuss. I've also seen that there is a christian children's book series called gigi: God's Little Princess, but I don't know anything else about it. This has just been on my mind lately and especially as Elle gets older.