Book Review: Cinderella Ate My Daughter

I read this book awhile back and it's been in the back of my mind for sometime now to write a review. I've recommended it to several friends and even loaned it out to a fellow feminist friend (wohoo for alliteration) of mine. It's an absolute must read for parents raising girls but also enjoyable for those who are interested in examining America's marketing obsession with girly girl culture.

I know the saying about not judging a book by its cover but I will be honest that it was the title of this one that caught my attention initially. Cinderella Ate My Daughter. How intriguing. I've written in the past about my thoughts on what it means to raise a girl, on cultivating a healthy sense of femininity and what exactly that entails.

This book, by Peggy Orenstein, tries to address the surge in products geared towards little girls and the pinkifying of everything. In short, she says, companies know that if they make a product for a boy then families will buy the same product for their daughter in pink. Orenstein also addressed Disney's multi-million dollar enterprise with their princess line. One tidbit I found a little eery was when she talked about how Walt Disney's brother did not initially want for the company to go in that direction, insisting that the stories of each Disney princess (Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, etc) was not meant to overlap. This is why, according to Orenstein, whenever you see a product with all the princesses together they are never interacting with one another---never making eye contact. Since then, it's all I have been able to notice when I see the stuff!

I enjoyed this book even though Orenstein's perspective is that of a journalist. She makes good points but admits that there hasn't been a great deal of studies done in the realm of child development to see how all of these observations hold up. And for that reason I would like to see something written on this subject from the perspective of someone in the human development community.

Regardless of whether one chooses to indulge their daughter in this "girly girl culture" I think it is important to be mindful of one's decisions and find a balance. My daughter wears pink but it certainly isn't the only color in her wardrobe. I love Disney for sure but when she gets older I would like her to be exposed to all sorts of characters....not just the "princesses".  At the end of the day, it's all about moderation.


Peace and love,
Nicci