Skip to Content

Looking for the best info on potty training your toddler? Click here.

Cinderella's marketers downplaying the cinders

by Sarah Gilbert Nov 3rd 2005 10:41AM

Categories: Money & work, Development, Media

cinderella

Cinderella's story is lovely, but if you read the original, she spends the vast majority of the tale dressed in rags and cleaning out the ashes - a dirty, dirty job. She only got to wear the ballgown for a few hours, until she was whisked away for her happily ever after.

Today, "ella" is not so "Cinder"-y anymore. The New York Times wonders if the re-branding of Cinderella as a Princess, permanently garbed in sparkly slippers, sumptuous gown, and fancy crown, isn't destroying the message of the fairy tale. What is the message, you ask? Something about the inherent worth of the person no matter what her material belongings (well, as long as said person has a fairy godmother to help her shine through her poverty). Only now Cinderella is all about consumption - of gowns, accessories, DVDs, vanities, and of course, cereal. Has Disney turned the moral on its head? Is anyone surprised? (And bonus points to the first person who designs "Take Back Cinderella!" onesies with an appropriately dirty ragamuffin.)

Source

Comments (0)

Recent Posts

ParentDish Polls

    Do You Gossip About Other People's Kids?
    Nearly 75% of you said yes; 44% gossip with close friends, while 30% limit your gossiping to "when it's relevant."

    sxc.hu

    The Science of Premature Babies
    Despite the cost and the risks, 53% of you say that medical advances in caring for micro preemies are "a miracle." Another 36% are just plain impressed by what doctors can do to save these littlest babies.

    sxc.hu

    Hollywood's Hottest Dad
    51% of you voted Hugh Jackman the Hottest Dad in Hollywood by a landslide. Wolverine edged out Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp -- and we can see why.

    Jewel Samad/Getty Images

    Best Stepdad
    How cool would it be to have Ashton Kutcher as your stepdad? Pretty cool, according to 52% of you. After all, you wouldn't have to teach him how to send a text message or use Twitter! Kutcher is pictured here in 2007 with stepdaughters Rumer and Tallulah Willis.

    Evan Agostini/Getty Images

    Who cares about IQ?
    Not ParentDish readers! 80% of you said that this 24-year-old UK mom should be allowed to keep her baby--even after social workers said she was "too stupid" to take care of her.

    Jenny Goodall, Daily Mail / ZUMA Press

    Enough With the Gosselins!
    Will you buy Kate Gosselin's cookbook? 64% of you say no -- and you're also tired of hearing about her.

    David Livingston, Getty Images

    Best Babysitters
    31% of you said that you would leave your kids with Ellen and Portia, while only 9% would trust Oprah to babysit. Interesting, since none of the celebs are parents.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    Fav Celeb Mom
    Jennifer Garner is your favorite celebrity mom, beating out Angelina Jolie and First Lady Michelle Obama with 37% of the vote.

    Kris Connor, Getty Images

    Bad Mommy
    Dina Lohan and Courtney Love tied for worst celebrity mom, each with 32% of your votes. Only 3% of you said that Kate Moss was a bad mom, though, which says a lot -- mostly what a mess Dina Lohan is.

    Michael Buckner, Getty Images

    Unimpressed
    Only 8% of you think Bristol Palin a better parent than baby daddy Levi. [Get the full story]

    Getty

Most Popular Posts

Features

Red Mom, Blue Mom
Classroom Connection
Childhood Unplugged
View from the Home Front

Meet All Our Bloggers

Recent Comments