Child Psychology: Fairy Tales

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how three traditional fairy tales, "Cinderella", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Snow White", were intended to impart a basic sense of morality with which children could identify. The writer argues that these antiquated stories are laden with points of view that could be considered, in our century, inadvertently deceptive, confusing, harmful and simply obsolete. The writer proposes that it would not be unreasonable to prohibit fairy tales in pre-school or early grades, at least until they are re-written with healthier messages. The writer further proposes that these stories should include minority characters; interchange boys and girls in the hero and damsel roles; illustrate healthy mixed families; de-emphasize the importance of physical beauty, and remove all of the subtle implications that are no longer appropriate for children.

From the Paper:

"It is curious that the immoral characters, again in this story, are older women. Beauty's brothers are hard working and "good," like her, and when the Beast threatens their father's life, Beauty insists on being the one to sacrifice herself for her father. As her name implies, the caring, more compassionate child is the one with true beauty, which is the true moral lesson in this story. In Beauty's case, her goodness is rewarded early on with prosperity, as the Beast insists that she become queen of his castle.
"And I can't possibly help in the fields. That's men's work. What would my friends think if they happened by?" one of the sisters complains. Ironically, today, we would call her a "princess," with a not-so-admirable connotation. It is true that we are not intended to like this character and thus, perhaps, the message remains a positive one. More importantly, however, is the subtle message that women are, by nature, too delicate and proud to do hard work, a theme that is repeated in many fairy tales."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berns, Roberta Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support.
• Grimm Brothers Snow White illustrated by Charles Santore, Random House Publishing, New Jersey: 1996.
• Mayer, Marianna Beauty and the Beast (retold). Four Winds Press, New York: 1978.
• Rackham, Arthur "Cinderella" The Illustrated Treasury of Children's Literature, Grossett & Dunlap, New York: 1955

More papers on Child Psychology: Fairy Tales:

• Analytical Essay # 4473 : "Interpretation of Fairy Tales"
• Analytical Essay # 59240 : "The Psychology of "Tom Thumb"
• Analytical Essay # 53866 : "Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales"

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