“And they lived happily ever after.”
For most of our childhoods, we have been hearing and watching all sorts of fairy tales. The damsel in distress, the knight in shining armor, and the supreme evil that they need to overcome—children all over the world deeply desire lives and fantasies like these. Furthermore, fairy tales are always recalled as “perfect” stories that mirror real-life circumstances. However, the question is, will this yearning extend to children’s tainted perception of reality? Were the tales that we were being told secretly scarring our youth?
The villain. These characters are typically painted as the only “bad guys” in the story and the only ones who should be defeated in the end. If you could recall the trash-talking and booing we did as children whenever these villains appeared in the stories, you would remember the strong bias we had against them, rooting for them to lose. Nevertheless, this notion is actually not the case because, in reality, individuals who had previous bad intentions are still capable of change if they really want to. Many stories actually have villains who undergo redemption, either via a stunning realization or a second chance. Individuals may have had bad intentions and made mistakes, but if they are genuinely determined, they are also capable of reformation. It’s important to understand that redemption and transformation do not erase or excuse someone’s previous wrongdoings, but they can help them grow as people and make amends. This may be an essential lesson for those who are dealing with their own errors in the past, demonstrating that change is possible and that they can still try to become better versions of themselves.
The visuals. The physical appearance of these characters also affects how children think of themselves in real life. The correlation between fairy tales and children’s low self-esteem has actually been studied by Liz Grauerholz and Lori Baker-Sperry. Fairy tales can cause them, especially girls, to long for an idealized body because the exterior images of princesses and similar protagonists are always portrayed as flawless and unparalleled. In short, beauty triumphs over all. This ties into the stereotype that girls must be beautiful and poised while men must be heroes who never show any kind of weakness. This can put pressure on girls to conform to particular (and usually unattainable) ideals of beauty and behavior, which can lead to a discontent with their own looks and personality. On the other hand, this can force boys to conform to a specific image of masculinity, causing them to hide their emotions and stifle their personal development. In other words, fairy tales further promote stereotypical gender roles in society—which are false by all means. All this may cause children to think that this is reality and that they need to change their personalities or bodies according to these stereotypes.
The amour. Fairy tales are conventionally known to idealize love and romance, with an emphasis on happy endings as the protagonist earns the heart of their love interest. Yet this representation of love can be problematic since it gives a limited and idealistic image of relationships. In reality, love is not always simple and perfect. This depiction of love in fairy tales can instill false expectations in children, leading them to believe that love should always be straightforward and uncomplicated and that they will always have a happy ending with their “true love.” Furthermore, presenting the protagonist as the hero who always prevails in this aspect and the antagonist as the loser is worrying. It promotes the idea that there are “good” and “bad” individuals and that love exists exclusively between “good” people when in actuality, humans are diverse and complex; individuals can have both positive and negative characteristics. On top of that, this narrow depiction of love fails to recognize the value of personal development, compromise, and the obstacles that come with relationships, all of which are necessary for creating deep and long-lasting relationships with others.
It is evident that fairy tales are an important part of one’s youth, but they can also affect how children perceive the world. While these stories might spark children’s wonder and imagination, they could also reinforce false and restrictive beliefs. The villain’s representation as the sole “bad guy” generalizes complex human character, and the emphasis on happy endings may promote unrealistic expectations of life. In addition, gender roles and stereotypes tend to be reinforced, while the representation of love and sustained relationships depicted in fairy tales is overly glamorized. Nevertheless, it is also important to remember that fairy tales may also offer crucial lessons about redemption, regeneration, and the desire to become a better version of yourself.
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