My Diary of Triplet Fatherhood

“I’m Cinderella!”

“I’m Snow White!”

“And I’m the Angry Sisters!”

It didn’t take long for the all-pervasive Disney Princess marketing machine to thunder into our lives. One day your taking your little girls to see a panto of Cinderella or relaxing the rules on TV and letting them watch Snow White, and Bam! Disney has you by the alice band.

Or rather, they’ve got my little girls; who’s captivation with princess dresses, “clip-clop shoes”, handsome princes and evil stepmothers was ignited so fast I can’t help suspect it was there all along.

Of course, the fact that while Evie is firmly Cinderella and Scarlett refused to answer to any name but Snow White, Jemima floats happily between more active roles gives me some comfort. One day she’s Buttons, another The Prince, or The Old Woman (of poisoned apple fame) or an Angry Sister (Cinderella’s) or even, on occassion, both Angry Sisters.

Still, I’ve met enough three and four year olds now to realise that fighting this thing is probably futile. Their preschool has a rack of obscenely fussy, luridly coloured dresses. Each party we attend is populated by at least three each of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and, um, Awake Beauty (?). The other little girls all seem to know most of the films. There’s no escaping it.

My reservations come from the nature of these stories. The heoines (if you can even call them that) are just so incredibly passive. They may have the fairy tale named after them but few of them actually do anything except act dutifully and get persecuted by fate (generally in the form of their stepmother). The virtues they promote are so subservient. Both Snow White and Cinderella start off being reduced to house maids and the fact that they accept this role with a smile and a song to every passing bluebird (whaty is it with Walt Disney and bluebirds – they’re everywhere) is seen as a virtue. No standing up for themsleves or making their own way in the world for these girls. They get knocked about by the cruel winds of fortune for a bit then some prince comes along and gives them the chance to live happily ever after. Are these really good role models for 21st century women? Sleeping Beauty is so passive she spends most of her story asleep. Snow White mops a few floors, escapes one murder attempt, is taken in by some midgets in exchange for more housework, then is bumped off successfully on the second attempt. Cinderella is little more than a pawn, first accepting the dictates of her sisters and stepmother, then the fairy godmother. At least Beauty has a bit of vim about her, taking her father’s place in the beast’s castle. But even then the best she can manage is to sacrifice herself.

Watching my girls play illustates it perfectly. “Let’s play Snow White,” suggests Scarlett before collapsing on the floor. A moment later, looking a little bored, “she opens her eyes and informs her sisters,” I’ve eaten the poisoned apple. Jemima – you be the Prince and kiss me.” Despite being the main character in the story she doesn’t get to do anything until the Prince comes along.

Where’s the heroine who is strong, brave, stands up for herself, forges her own destiny, goes out and gets a prince if she wants one?

No, as much as my little girls are enchanted by them, I can’t help but feel distinctly uncomfortable about the messages they’re imparting. And that’s withut even touching on what a bad idea it is to tell triplets stories about having two ugly sisters (as in Cinderella and the story version of Beauty and the Beast).