persuasive-fairytales are misleading

 stereotypes between boys and girls

expectations of life

future in jeopardy

30MIN

Fairytales have most often been one of the most popular forms of entertainment, but they are just as misleading as they are enjoyed. Don't believe me? Think of young generations, baited at a young age to believe all sorts of stereotypes and have unrealistic expectations of themselves and others that they will have to one day tearfully realise aren't true. This does horrific things to young minds and futures. We cannot lead impressionable children into what feels like a real-life horror story. After all, why build up all these dreams just to crush them mercilessly?

The first thing one might think of pertaining to fairytales and fables would be the stereotypes automatically ingrained into brains as soon as those messages and themes are repeated. Think of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, or Cinderella, white princesses who waited all day for white men to save them. How would young girls or boys of colour feel like they could be capable of doing great things if traditionally white characters where the heroes? How would a young girl be able to save herself from danger if she's taught to wait around until someone comes to help? If these ideologies aren't reversed, then there's no one to teach them otherwise and these insecurities and illusions of incapability are carried straight into adulthood. 

Not only do these made-up stories destruct open-mindedness, they also build a false 'storyline' and expectations that mere school-age children already expect themselves to follow. If every admirable, pretty, thin waisted princess always has to meet her prince, wear dresses or never do sports then young girls already expect that of themselves before their real lives have even started and they've even any time to figure out their sexuality or personality. If every young boy believes he must never show emotion and only be strong for others then there's no doubt they'll grow into young men who feel as if they cannot confide in anyone. These are not ideals they personally aimed for-they are the ideals that society forces them into. 

With fairytales plaguing young mindsets and expectations, it's no doubt that their futures are in jeopardy as well. Adult life is far from your average fable, but of course coddled and fondled offspring have never been prepared for such a brutal reality. Kidnapping, jobs, colleagues that are wolves in sheep's clothing and all sorts of other issues pose a risk to any and every child. But if the child was raised and prepared properly then they would deal with such problems effortlessly. They would know that life requires problem-solving skills, wit and skill from them and not a skinny body or big muscles. However those raised on fables would never know this-so who is going to have to painfully expose them to reality apart from life itself?

Fairytales always end in happy endings, but reading them can end in a nightmare for the fragile and impressionable minds of the young generation. Children need to believe in diversity, to rejoice in all the joys our society offers and believe in themselves and their capability. Recycled fairy stories with the same plots and the same characters only twists young minds and ruins futures before they've even started. Don't make real life feel like a unfair, brutal awakening. Let children live out their own stories.