7 Reasons Not To Call Your Daughter A “Princess,” According to a Blogger

It’s not usual to refer to our daughters as princesses and to our sons as princes but mum and blogger, Elizabeth Broadbent advises parents to stop. And here are reasons….

1. Traditionally, princesses were pawned off on husbands that helped cement global alliances. Once wedded, their chief duty lie in the birthing bed, where they’d be expected to produce heirs, spares, and possibly as many children as possible.

2. Princesses weren’t given a choice in their selection of husbands. This is no “someday, my prince will come.” Princesses are passive, dependent on the men around them to make decisions, and used sexually in ways they don’t choose. It’s basically rape culture.

3. Princesses do come with untold riches, though — at least,most of them do. But is that really your highest goal for your daughter?

They’re dressed up in pretty clothes and paraded around at various function, including (according to Princess Kate’s calendar) school openings and horse races. Their clothes are selected to reflect the dignity of the throne; they don’t get to pick. Their days are planned for them. Is this really what you want for your daughter?

4. Princess is just a word, after all. But words have meaning. Princess connotes a girl who’s spoiled, who runs to her parents to solve her problems, who treats other people like peons, who’d rather break a heart than a nail.

When you call your daughter a princess, you call down all that baggage. Unfair? Maybe. But that’s the way the word works. So call your kidlet “muffin.” Call her “sweetheart” or “lovey” or “dollface.” Call her “precious” or “baby-cakes” or “lovebug.” Call her “honey pie.” But don’t call her “princess.”

5. Every princess needs servants to do her princess-y things and bring all those things she demands. If your daughter is the princess, who’s the legion of servants? That’s right: you.

6. When you call your daughter a princess, you put yourself in the role of those who fulfill every whim and fancy. Do you really want to move your position from parent to servant? Your authority goes kaput in the face of la princessa and her demands. And if you’re not a servant, you’re the queen. Queen of what, might I ask? The nursery? Your petty kingdom won’t stand up to the real world, and you’re in for a lifetime of disappointment.

7. Spread the metaphor outward and it gets even more creepy. If your kid’s the princess, who are the rest of us? Her loyal peasantry? And we all know that princesses get the best tabloid coverage, the best musical acts, and, you know, enough to eat.

Do you agree? Let us know what you think.

 

Images: The Limerick.com