Princess Diaries: The Fall of Picturesque Fantasy

Like every other girl's dream, I wanted to be like the girls in fairy tales. I wished to be a princess–just like Snow White who ate a poisonous apple and met her destiny; or perhaps Aurora who just slept beautifully until awakened by a true love's kiss. A girl who yearns to attain her own happily ever after. But as sweet as it seems, life is totally the other way around. 

I got hooked up with fairy tales because of their happy endings. But growing up, I started to realize that these books are not as fairy-like as they seem. Although sweet romance is good, depending our fate on someone else’s hand is not something we should covet. Early released juvenile literatures catered to young women have the same plot, a recurring narrative device: a damsel in distress.  At a tender age, we are taught to idealize the notion of being saved by a charming prince who will sweep us off our feet and take care of us. This concept is then perpetuated by the media, repeating the same trope all-over again in modern-day films, TV shows, and books.

The portrayal of women as submissive and helpless is harmful to young girls. This shapes their expectations of themselves and their future: believing that women should be a martyr but still sympathetic; letting someone else take care of her problems; or giving in to patriarchy without second thought as it is supposed to be the “norm.”

Taking the famous Disney princess "Cinderella" as an example. As she met the prince and both fell in love in a short amount of time, she returned to her usual life of being exploited. The abuse was only stopped when the prince decided to marry Cinderella. This idyllic story now leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, as I realize that the picturesque events that I remember are not ideal to emulate for a young girl as the authors decipher her as powerless without leaning on someone all-throughout the story.

Scrutinizing the tale further made my childish fantasy shattered by reality, learning why “princesses' stories” are fiction and will only be fiction. Women in the past, held on to a non-existent hope; and when the opposite was manifested, they persisted and continued to fight for their rights.

After a long battle, it is safe to say that we are a step closer towards our goal. Dedicating a month to celebrate who we are and having numerous advocacies for women empowerment signifies that our voices are now heard. Princesses are now queens who do not need a dashing prince on a white horse to be saved and  be happy. Queens who are strong and independent, breaking free from the stigma and embracing the power of diversity and inclusivity as they face challenges with their heads held high.

As we celebrate women’s month, let us be reminded that women deserve to be treated equitable and honorable. Having the archaic thinking that ladies should only be a flower to society withers away as we stand up with our own feet. Young girls need to be taught that they can be a heroine of their own story. No need for a Romeo who will risk his life for you, or a prince charming who will rescue you. Seeking help from others in desperate need does not make you much less of a person, but we must remember that we too can be a catalyst of change for our own life. 

At the end of the day, women are still women no matter what path they choose – may a little girl aspire to be Tiana who simply endeavors to have a restaurant or Elsa who rules her own kingdom. Let the ladies dream and be someone that they want to be, raising their pen and starting their own story; as they obtain their own happily ever after.