What does it mean for little girls to want to become princesses?

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

Meghan McCarthy once said that it's every little girl's dream to become a princess, which was one of the reasons why Twilight became the new princess of Equestria.  Most people would think this dream for little girls is a bit too sexist, just because the word "princess" implies subservience to men.

 

However, if I were to sum up a guess as to why girls would want to become princesses, it's probably because it's almost the equivalent of becoming a queen, minus the malevolence normally associated with the stereotype of queens being evil (disclaimer: Queens aren't evil, it's just that they're stereotyped as such in pop-culture).  Think about it.  As princess, a little girl has the power to determine the fate of her own magical kingdom, and can use that power to benefit her subjects, rather than dominate them.  This is why Twilight coming-of-age as a princess would almost be the equivalent of Luke Skywalker becoming a full-fledged Jedi, especially after redeeming his father of his evil ways at the end of Return of the Jedi.

 

So really, I wouldn't so much say that it's sexist drivel, as much as it is a means to attaining true power, like any other dream in the world.  I mean, when a princess is kidnapped, it's often so that the villain could marry her and become king of her home-kingdom, not because she's helpless.  That means princesses do have power, and anyone who marries her attains their own power, too.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Commander_PonyShep

[~Luminiferous Ether~ 107]

All girls apparently like regality, have you ever seen someone propose with string?

*cough* That one movie taught us what not to do on a date *cough*

 

Everyone would appear to like living the high life (Although the number of Thugs and Hipsters are rising, so I'm beginning to think freedom is to Humanities' detriment.) Everyone has an inner want to have a better life, they want to be loved, love others and be respected.

 

It is human nature to want what we don't have, which is why most people prefer royalty over their normal life, and vice versa...

 

...annnd I've completely missed the point of this entire conversation.

Edited May 26, 2013 by ~Luminiferous Ether~

[Sky Warden 2,243]

What did it mean for you to become a knight and slay a dragon? It's not about any authority (or whatever) the 'Princess' status gives to its bearer. Seriously, they don't know that. They don't want to be a princess because they think about power, politics, etc. It's their dream, to be loved and treated as someone important (in the term of love). Isn't it adorable for a father to call his daughter "My Little Princess" to show what his daughter means to him?

 

It's just a little dream which comes from their pure heart. That's all. There's nothing behind it, and remember that this show is made to entertain little girls, so please hold any unnecessary theory.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

What did it mean for you to become a knight and slay a dragon? It's not about any authority (or whatever) the 'Princess' status gives to its bearer. Seriously, they don't know that. They don't want to be a princess because they think about power, politics, etc. It's their dream, to be loved and treated as someone important (in the term of love). Isn't it adorable for a father to call his daughter "My Little Princess" to show what his daughter means to him?

 

It's just a little dream which comes from their pure heart. That's all. There's nothing behind it, and remember that this show is made to entertain little girls, so please hold any unnecessary theory.

Regardless, becoming a princess comes at a price, like every other position in the world.  In Twilight's case, it's solving many of Equestria's problems as its new leader.  Likewise with knighthood, where you have to constantly get yourself killed to protect what matters to you.

 

Twilight's new role as princess can teach her more about responsibility, about solving other ponies' problems and uniting them under a common banner.  I only brought this up because a feminist article I once read said that Twilight becoming a princess was sexist, even though "princess" in MLP's case meant leading all of Equestria, rather than subservience to a male figure.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Commander_PonyShep

[Sky Warden 2,243]

Regardless, becoming a princess comes at a price, like every other position in the world.  In Twilight's case, it's solving many of Equestria's problems as its new leader.  Likewise with knighthood, where you have to constantly get yourself killed to protect what matters to you.

 

Twilight's new role as princess can teach her more about responsibility, about solving other ponies' problems and uniting them under a common banner.  I only brought this up because a feminist article I once read said that Twilight becoming a princess was sexist, even though "princess" in MLP's case meant leading all of Equestria, rather than subservience to a male figure.

Aye. Agree with that. Morale lessons still can be included in this, but about little girls wanting to be a princess has nothing to do with conspiracy.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

Aye. Agree with that. Morale lessons still can be included in this, but about little girls wanting to be a princess has nothing to do with conspiracy.

When you said "conspiracy," did you mean the idea of the princess being subservient to men? I hope you meant that, because Twilight as princess should mean leadership, rather than subservience.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

When you said "conspiracy," did you mean the idea of the princess being subservient to men? I hope you meant that, because Twilight as princess should mean leadership, rather than subservience.

Aye. That's what I mean. Little girls want to be a princess simply because of their nature. They're young. They don't hide anything. Just that.

[MadPointer 75]

I'd like to know why the leadership is considered a defining characteristic of an equestrian princess? I wouldn't be so strongly opposed to this kind of princesses but it doesn't look like princesses in the show are like that. Princesses appear to be doing mostly ceremonial duties in the show. Also Miss America was promoting MMC what kind of a message they're trying to send.

 

Jedi analogy doesn't work here because people are trained to be Jedi so when they became Jedi, they don't act surprised and ask for a book about it.

 

Lauren Faust said, "There's more than one way to be a girl"

Meghan McCarthy said, "EVERY little girl wants to be a princess"

Which idea do you support? Which idea does the show teach? Do you want to be a celebrity or a boss? Do you think everyone aspires to be a celebrity or a boss? Do you think people should aspire to these careers instead of becoming  specialists?

 

 

 

There's nothing behind it, and remember that this show is made to entertain little girls, so please hold any unnecessary theory.

 

I liked the show because it was much more than just a show about prancing pastel ponies. It's sad that now people have to use this excuse to justify flaws and bad morals.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

I liked the show because it was much more than just a show about prancing pastel ponies.

But sadly it is. What I meant with unnecessary theories is evil concern about little girl's demand of being a princess. What McCharthy said isn't a bad moral either. It means that every little girl wants to be like what I said earlier. Simple as that. No bad moral like "Princess status gives you power" or something similar. It's simply a demand of love, made by pure hearts.

[MadPointer 75]

@Sky Warden

Would you answer to each question I posted earlier. I understand that people might have different values and I'd like to know your values and how do judge other people.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

Would you answer to each question I posted earlier.

Answer to each question?

 

 

I'm a simple child-loving guy who's positive about things most of the time. That's all. I don't like judging other people or forcing my opinion. Like I care with difference.

 

By the way, to mention someone, highlight some text on the post, and you will see the 'Mention' button.

[D1SC0RD 987]

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a princess because they were pretty and kind and had nice dresses and they were admired by people and blahblahblah. I don't think many little girls care for power. I can't speak for all youngins, but I sure as hell wanted to be a princess because of shallow reasons. I don't mean to be that person after this whole Twilicorn ordeal fizzled out, but I feel like I'm being asked to think that she's a little more special than everyone else because of her new wings and title and crown and dress and shoes and so on. That's what being a princess is to me, anyway; a reason to be grander than your peers.

inb4 someone points out why I'm wrong

I'm not hateful though. Just kinda thought it would be a more inspiring message if she was on the same level as her friends instead of being placed on a pedestal. But whaaaatever 

 

edit: rephrased something.... may have caused a misunderstanding

Edited May 26, 2013 by D1SC0RD

[Shanks 10,816]

I think it is probably the same reasons that a lot of young boys want to become cowboys, pirates, ninjas ect it is simple fantasy and wish fulfillment which there is nothing wrong with so long as it doesn't fall too far into Mary Sue territory. There is always a risk of this particularly with the princess thing, and what makes it such a great risk with twilicorn in particular is that the way it has been introduced seems completely contrary to the message of the show. It seems to say "okay you have been a good teachers pet and made some friends, now you get to be a princess yay." The good news of course is that since there is far more we don't know about it than what we do know it can still work out even if it was too soon, but it may be a tad awkward at first and does present some interesting opportunities for character development once the other issues are worked out.

[MadPointer 75]

 

 

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a princess because they were pretty and kind and had nice dresses and they were admired by people and blahblahblah.

 

I can see Rarity wanting to be a princess because she was interested in a prince, high society, dresses, likes to be the center of attention(Becoming Popular song).

 

Twilight wouldn't feel comfortable with royal duties because it doesn't fit her character. She's introverted, doesn't want be seen as show off and she doesn't know how to behave in high society.

 

I don't have problem with people who want to be a princess but I don't like when people assume that everyone wants to be celebrity, and if they don't want to, they shouldn't deserve any respect.

[D1SC0RD 987]

Twilight wouldn't feel comfortable with royal duties because it doesn't fit her character. She's introverted, doesn't want be seen as show off and she doesn't know how to behave in high society.

 

Yeah. That's why I am not a fan of the twilicorn thing. I do not imply that what comes to my mind when I think "princess" is definitely true for twilight, but with so little information about her role in the future episodes, I can't help but go with what I've previously thought of princess status.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I was under the assumption that people had problems with what McCarthy said mainly because it was placing little girls into too narrow of a box, and for one of the main creative influences of a show that had previously done its best to reinforce that there isn't a right or wrong way to be a girl, to turn around and say that every little girl wants to be a princess was somewhat contradictory, and that there was some room to turn around and nitpick the thinking behind that if one was interested in doing so.

 

Now, there are obviously more positive ways to take the statement as have been stated earlier. Princess ≠ shallow, vain, subservient, or flat, as MLP FiM has shown through its characters to this point. In any case though, the point has been brought up that when girls want to be princesses, much of the time it isn't for the responsibility that goes with it. I think that this is one of the things that Twilight will have to deal with, having the responsibilities and consequences being more than she had ever imagined.

[Marra da poni 100]

I never wanted to become or be a princess when I was a kid. Instead of playing princesses riding unicorns with the girls on the breaks I was playing war with the guys (we didn't actually hurt eachother, we were mainly shooting invisible bullets against invisible people). And when I first watched MLP I didn't actually like the whole thingy with the princesses, and I still don't. I'm not hating, but princesses isn't my thing. But what I like about the MLP FiM princesses is that Luna is a dark coloured princess and the princess of the night but yet not an evil character.

[crazitaco 596]

little girls want to be princesses because that's what society tells them to aspire to be. i'm not gonna to lie, when i was really really young, i wanted to be a princess. i was like that because i raised by my mom and society to like girly things, but it wasn't long before i was old enough to think for myself, and began to think about princesses from a different perspective.

i really don't think "all little girls want to become princesses" was the best reason to describe why twilight became a princess. little girls want to be princesses because they are too young to understand what it means. twilight is smarter than that.

Edited June 3, 2013 by crazitaco