The Timeless Influence of Nancy Drew

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Jun 2nd 2009 4:00PM

Categories: Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens

Supreme court nominee Sonia Sotomayor says Nancy Drew was her girlhood hero. So do Sandra Day O'Connor, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush. I also grew up reading Nancy Drew and can easily say that I was profoundly influenced by the brainy, courageous and beautiful "titian haired" detective. I'm also fairly certain that the purchase of my first car, a used black convertible Volkswagen Cabriolet, was inspired by images of Nancy in her convertible driving around Riverside solving mysteries with her loyal friends, George and Bess.

So who are today's girlhood role models and influences? Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, Vanessa Hudgens, the cast of MTV's The Hills? What about Bratz Dolls or even Disney's G-rated, but nonetheless vapid Cheetah Girls? What are the chances that these role models will spawn our next Supreme Court justice, Pulitzer winning journalist, or concerned citizen, the way Nancy and her friends did?

The dearth of smart and positive role models is a sad reality for today's girls and teens and a source of frustration for their moms. And there seems to be no reprieve. Just when moms were rejoicing over the end of MTV's shockingly crass "My Super Sweet 16," Bravo rolls out a disturbing new teen reality show this summer called "NYC Prep" that glorifies superficiality, rampant consumerism, and deplorable teen behavior (think "The Real Housewives" franchise for teens). Sadly, too many kids are unsupervised because their parents don't care or are unaware or resigned to what Hollywood dishes out. And it's not just teens. Children as young as 6 and 7 are left to make sense of these images on their own. This is bad news for all of us – even for those of us who do monitor our children's media consumption.

Now that I am a mom who reads Nancy Drew to my own kids, I am more keenly aware of the enduring virtues of the brave detective in this All-American and beloved series. They go beyond her commitment to truth and justice. Nancy and her friends made being square (as in having integrity and being polite, thoughtful and kind) seem cool. What girl doesn't want to be Nancy? Her values are not quaint or outmoded. They are timeless ideals that that we should pass on to our daughters (and sons).

If you haven't done so already, uncover your old collection and lovingly pass it on to your daughter, granddaughter or niece, whatever her age. Bravo is competing for her attention this summer. She deserves better.

Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jersey 6-02-2009 @ 9:23AM

Rachel - it's TITIAN, not Titan. The Titans are from mythology. Titian is derived from the artist famous for paiting women w/red hair.

CLM 6-02-2009 @ 9:25PM

Um, I'm looking at the first paragraph, and it looks to me like Rachel spelled it "titian", not "titan".

Michelle 6-02-2009 @ 2:40PM

My daughter loves the old Nancy Drew books! Once when we were visiting the library, I told her to try a Nancy Drew book. Just one book was all it took; she later had a gift certificate to a bookstore and bought a Nancy Drew book! I think kids have to give these classics a chance, and we as parents have to introduce them to our kids. Reading is such a great hobby for kids, but we have to really stay on top of what they are reading and intervene if necessary. Many great books get overshadowed by the thousands kids books that are out there these days. My daughter knows I'm not fond of Hannah Montana, so she would never even consider getting a movie or book about her.

I wish my mom would have helped me look for quality reading materials when I was young. I ended up choosing mostly Judy Blume books on my own, and I doubt if that's considered "quality" reading. If my mom had any idea what was in those books, she must have allowed me to read them so she could get off the hook telling me about boys and periods and sex. And it is true, my mom never talked to me about those things. So it was nice to read about girls who were going through the same life situations ane presssures as I was, but I always thought her books helped to encourage risky behavior too, especially when a tween girl is reading them. I don't think I'll let my daugher read her books. Three cheers for Nancy, instead!!

Oh, and we are downgrading to basic cable this summer, trying to stay afloat in this economy. So, b-bye MTV and Bravo, you won't have us watching your superficial shows, even by accident! MTV should be banned anyway, IMHO.

Glorious 6-04-2009 @ 3:02PM

YES you are so right...MTV is disgusting on a good day!

Sifrina 6-02-2009 @ 11:00PM

I loved Nancy Drew AND Hardy Boys growing up, along with Encyclopedia Brown, Little Women, Secret Garden, and many, many others - including Judy Blume (age appropriate of course). I still have my Nancy Drew books and who knows, maybe my son, an avid reader, might even pick one up to read it! Totally his call.

I have to confess I do watch Bravo, mostly as incentive when I am on the treadmill (guilty pleasure, can't explain it), but not when my son is around. You're right, these images are not for kids and really aren't quality viewing for anyone. It makes me so sad to hear of minors or young people "getting wrecked." I don't have a daughter but I would think it to be a daily fight to counteract so many of the negative images directed towards girls these days, especially the "why-get-an-education-just-look-hot-get-thin-and-find-a-husband" message they get. Scary!

Tasha 6-03-2009 @ 12:23AM

Maybe it's time for mothers to step back up and reclaim their titles as role models for their young female children.

rio 6-03-2009 @ 1:33AM

Revisiting the classics especially when it comes to books is pretty beneficial idea anyway for all children girls and boys Though I must say Nancy Drew bored the heck out of me when I was a kid, sorry but she's a little too perfect for my tastes. I was a complete bookworm when I was kid and read everything I could get my hands on. I wasn't a fan of Judy Blume either though my mom was when she was a girl and tried to get me to read them, but I think her books deal with experiences girls go through in fairly realistic ways and doesn't sugar coat which is important nor do they really encourage risky behavior IMO. Maybe for some readers but then you're taking that risk with any book or movie if your child isn't mature enough to handle it. I think that she often showed the consequences of various actions in her books which is what makes them work. I was a fan of those diary books that chronicled the lives of girls in different time periods and backgrounds. I don't know if they still come out but I highly recommend those books as exposing daughters (and sons) to people from all sorts of cultural backgrounds and different periods of history is definitely beneficial to them.

Today's "role models" Miley Cyrus, High School Musical cast, etc. aren't necessarily bad, but I think the real issue is that there's so much focus on the celebrity factor of these young people. Some kids might be more likely to focus on that aspect and want to become famous just to be famous. So I think it's important to expose them to other sorts of paths out there that don't involve being a celebrity. Spark the old imagination a little.

Dan Harnett 6-04-2009 @ 9:53AM

Hi Rachel,

I work with the Nancy Drew video games which are created by Megan Gaiser and her fine crew at Her Interactive http://www.herinteractive.com. While I know video games are often taboo, these games are truly different in that they challenge players to use their brain. Based on unsolicited feedback we get from the ND community, these games are played by everyone from girls to grandmothers, and are great because of their message of empowerment via playing as the intelligent, independent and gutsy Nancy Drew.

We kind of see them as the modern-day equivalent of the great book series, and great way to connect to today's tech savvy kids.

I'd be curious if you, as well as the top 6 commenters on this board, would be interested in checking out a recent game and telling us what you think? I can be reach at dan@highwatergroup.com. Thanks for reading.

Frances 6-06-2009 @ 9:24PM

I loved Nancy Drew and collected the books as a kid, too! My daughter is 7 and is a little young for serious mysteries, still. My 2nd grade students are HUGE fans of The Magic Tree House series... about a brother and sister team who share adventures in their tree house full of books... very good!

My daughter knows not to even ask us to buy her Bratz dolls (we told her that dolls wearing make-up, named bratz, aren't welcome in our house...who invented those horrible things, anyway!), and we don't let her watch Nickelodean shows, High School Musical , Icarley, or Miley Cyrus shows... I am trying desperately to save the 'tween shows for when she is an actual 'tween. I try to screen new shows before she sees them and only watch on DVR so we aren't exposed to too many commercials. Bindi the Jungle Girl was a cute addition to my "mommy needs to make dinner, let's turn on a show", list of shows, too.

There are really very few things worthwhile enough to take up 1/2 hour of her life! I'd much rather her bang on the piano or draw a picture rather than watch a show, but I guess kids need to veg out sometimes too. We really struggle with this at my house!

Natasha 6-07-2009 @ 2:53AM

How about the Laura Ingalls Wilder books too? The earlier ones are suitable to be read aloud from a young age I have found. Laura is such a fantastic heroine - independent spirit, growing up in a time when pioneer families were struggling to eat, let alone spend money on entertainment; forging a new world out West, with a Ma who insists on the importance of an education! My 4 year old is thrilled at the depiction of life in US states at this specific time in history and loves to play Laura & Mary when running through cornfields with her sister!

areshea 6-07-2009 @ 11:29AM

I watched the hardy boys when I was younger, but not nancy drew. Last summer my daughter, then 9, and I seen the nancy drew movie. We loved her, her clothes, her car and her smarts. While out shopping I seen an interactive Nancy Drew book and got it for my daughter. Since she is a bookworm, she got gift cards for a bookstore and what did she buy? Nancy Drew #1 and #2 and she is asking for a nancy drew party for her birthday next year.
As for Mtv other then true life or made I rarely watch and my children aren't allowed to watch. I did watch the real world when you were on and everyone was going to school, pursuing a career or working. I hate how our society shows overprivileged, overindulged brats. However, there are books like the clique and gossip girl that are out there and that trash will never be allowed in here, they are just as bad as the tv shows.

Angela Blanco 6-07-2009 @ 7:56PM

Rachel,

I am very curious as to how you can keep this up! I find it very challenging to steer my daughter a certain way. I do as much as I can at home, but I find that at school no one else there is doing anything differently than what is trendy or on T.V. My daughter knows how I feel and respects that. However she is turning 9 and I can tell that she is starting to question why pop culture is not okay. I myself grew up with pop culture around me and quite honestly feel that I am a concerned conservative citizen. I would love to hear some suggestions from you or your followers on how to stick to my guns. Also where can I find friensdhips for her that have the same types of likes. Disney is very powerful within her age group and that is all her peers at school seem interested in. Dying for some suggestions

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