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Fallen Princesses
Posted by Girls By Design
June 19, 2009
Categories:  Discussion
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Good morning GBD!  So after reading about the Princess Syndrome (thanks Lauren!), Alyssa told me about this photo project Dina Goldstein is working on called Fallen Princesses.  The project was inspired by Dina’s observation of 3-year-old girls who were developing an interest in Disney’s fairy tales (like Tuesday’s article said).  Dina herself is a new mom, so this fascination that young girls have with princesses got her thinking about how Disney’s leading females would fare in today’s reality.

According to Dina, “The ‘…happily ever after’ is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues.”  The environments she creates in her photos are often grim, but the juxaposition of these princesses with the type of conflicts they would face really does get you thinking about princesses, fairy tales, and how that all mixes with real life problems.

To see more photos, click here.  In addition to the photo of Cinderella above, Dina made photos of Snow White, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, and Belle.  Alyssa said she found the photos “kind of disturbing, I’m not really sure what to think of it…but it’s definitely a conversation starter.”

Then come on back here and tell us what you think about the project.  Good idea?  Bad idea?  Too depressing?  Not depressing enough?  Does it have value?  Or is it just a gimmick?

Thanks to Alyssa!  Who’s making her own way in this world instead of relying on a prince to save the day. :)

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Kailin

June 19, 2009

This issue is def. something I think about quite a bit since I do have a 3-year-old daughter and am a mother who write girl-centric books and produce research-based educational curriculum for kids. I also hosted a radio show about women’s issues so I am writing from this perspective.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with 3-year-old girls playing princess. It fosters imagination and aspiration. If you have ever raised a 3-year-old, you get a sense of how really young that is – practically just out-of-diapers. I believe 3-year-olds should play princesses, paupers, doctors, firefighters, nurses, Presidents, athletes, movie stars, rock stars, etc. At this age, it is make-believe, and playing different roles help build empathy and flexibility.

While I applaud the photographer for her creative vision and unique voice, I find these photos a little depressing. Girls at 3 have their whole lives to discover what real life is all about. Between the age of 0 to 5 is crucial to developing self-esteem and confidence. Through role models (called “modeling” of positive images), children are taught social and behavior skills. Princesses happen to be one role they are exposed to. The problem people have with the Princess syndrome is when girls/or boys (some boys have it, too) can’t separate reality from pretend (especially when they are older). Believe me, most 3 year olds already know the difference between pretending to be a princess and reality. Kids are a lot smarter than people give them credit for :)


Laurenelle

June 19, 2009

I do find this a little depressing, because while I do think children do need to see reality, I also think that they maybe shouldn’t have to face it to this extent at the tender young age at which we usually discover princesses. For little kids, engaging in a little bit of fairy tale fantasy is akin to believing in Santa Claus, in my opinion, and is harmless so long as they don’t overindulge. For an older individual, however, the photos could be…eye-opening, I suppose.


Binks

June 20, 2009

AH HA! I absolutely looooved this photo concept. It is a bit depressing but also very realistic and deeper on an emotional level. I think it has a value to it, but Fallen Princesses is not something I would show my 3 year old daughter. It’s a more adult form of understanding of some misconstrued notion with the “Princess Syndrome”
I agree with Alyssa in that it was a bit disturbing at first, as to why I can only guess is that we have an ideal of a princess that is somewhat unmarred and so when we see these ideals carefully placed in a real and altering world it damages our sacred image of them. Which is also I think a bit of what Dina is trying to say with her work. IMO anyways.
Dina’s pictures definitely sparked some interest and thought when I first saw them and I very much enjoyed the little mental boost, haha.


Alyssa

June 20, 2009

The phrase a beautiful disaster comes to mind in response to these pictures, like the Cinderella one, Cinderella in her beautiful ball gown, in a gross dingy bar. Seeing the disney princesses with such depressing outcomes… it’s just weird. This project most definitely shouldn’t be shown to kids, but I think teens and adults can appreciate the concept of what Dina was doing. I’ve got to hand it to Dina, she’s got guts defaming the disney princesses lol.


DaynaZoe

July 24, 2009

i agree with alyssa >> “This project most definitely shouldn’t be shown to kids, but I think teens and adults can appreciate the concept of what Dina was doing”.