Fairy Tales Linked to Violence????????

[Lucy]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_050422114707

Fairy tales linked to violent relationships

Fri Apr 22, 7:47 AM ET Science - AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Young girls who enjoy classic romantic fairy tales like "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast" are at greater risk of becoming victims of violent relationships in later life, a British researcher says.

A study of both parents of primary school children and women who have been involved in domestic abuse claims than those who grew up reading fairy tales are likely to be more submissive as adults.

Susan Darker-Smith, a graduate student who wrote the academic paper, said she found many abuse victims identified with characters in famous children's literature and claimed the stories provide "templates" of dominated women.

A more senior academic at the University of Derby said the topic was sure to spark debate but merited further research.

"They believe if their love is strong enough they can change their partner's behaviour," Darker-Smith said. "Girls who have listened to such stories as children tend to become more submissive in their future relationships."

The research, conducted in Leicester in the east of England, is to be presented to the International Congress of Cognitive Therapy in Gothenburg, Sweden, next month.

Her study, entitled "The Tales We Tell Our Children: Overconditioning of Girls to Expect Partners to Change", will be discussed by many of the world's most influential therapists.

Darker-Smith said she believed younger generations exposed to television and other entertainment media may react differently and be less submissive than those weaned solely on literature.

Her work found the most popular bedtime stories for girls were "Cinderella" and "Rapunzel", while boys were more likely to hanker for "Paddington Bear" or "Thomas the Tank Engine".

Darker-Smith, a masters student in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy at the University of Derby, will also submit other abstracts to the conference, examining ideas about anorexia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Michael Townend, senior lecturer in psychotherapy at the university said: "We know that storytelling is an important way that children form beliefs about themselves and relationships."

"Susan's work is an interesting study which is sure to spark debate, but further research is required in this area."

[Lucy]

[I'Cin]

Well, lets look at this for a minute. As I see it, there are two major themes in fairy tales. The first is the girl in trouble who can only be saved by Prince Charming (e.g., Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, etc.). Or she wants too much, gets into trouble and has to be saved (e.g., The Little Mermaid). Apparently she can do nothing to improve the situation herself, only HE can save her.

The second is the man is in trouble and can only be saved by the girl changing something about him (e.g., Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince, etc.) He assures her that the "ugly" form isn't really him, and that he's sure her love can "break the spell" and save him. Can we say "manipulation?"

Do they teach us (women) that we either have to be helpless or we have to find someone bad and save him from himself? I can see the rationale for the idea.

Nah, I don't believe it either. Mostly because I don't believe the "younger" generations of girls/women who maybe didn't hear as many fairie tales are any safer from abusive realtionships -- I see it in the paper.

I'Cin

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

You can follow that same rationale and conclude that romantic comedies are a menace to society as well. Consider the usual formula in these movies: Guy likes girl. Girl turns down guy. Guy persists in persuing girl using increasingly clever and invasive methods (often climaxing by interrupting girl's wedding to someone else). Girl relents. Couple lives happily ever after.

If I ever tried to pull some of the stunts guys in romantic comedies pull, restraining orders would be filed and stalking indictments would be handed down. :)

[Larkspur]

I must concur, though as the lecturer's admit, the topic needs some further research. I am not completely submissive, and through many failed relationships, have determined that expecting someone to either always be the same or to change because you want them to are not the ways to go.

I determined on my own, that my over-romanticism may have often caused these rifts, and to the men and women in my life, I am very sorry. To completely blame literature, is the same as stating that violent images on TV, in movies, music and videogames are why websites like pet-abuse.com are necessary.

There is no 1 holy reason why today's society is set on it's ear, but I am open to hearing more about this topic. I want my young daughter to have better, more healthy relationships in her life.

[Nevada]

wonder if the lecturer has read the early versions of the tales....the non disney ones

[DameGoode]

That is exactly, what I was wondering. If you read the old orignal Hans Christian Anderson or better yet Grimm's bros. they are not the sanitary stories of disney. (Or sadly the modern day picture book.) Also, Grims bros. were "told stories" more than read and full of cautionary tales.
In the Grimms orginal Cinderella she actually had to do stuff: plant a tree, pray, know what to ask for, go to the ball, and get back three times. Whereas in Disney, she cleaned and cooked that's true, but her fairy godmother came up with the suggestion and gave it to her. The stepmother was nicer in the Disney version. She didn't threaten Cindy's life or cut pieces off of her own daughters' feet.
But what is more appealing to the materialistic girls of today? Bloody cautionary tale or beautifully illustrated glossy pages where even the servants are magnificently dressed? I guess it depends on the girl, the permissiveness of the parent, and the times, of course.

[Lady Sarah]

let us not forget the Little Mermaid. She didn't live happily ever after. She died.

The Sea Witch gave her one last chance to undo the spell and return to the world of the MerPeople - she had to shed the Prince's blood, it had to touch her. She couldn't do it. She saw how happy he was with his wife and knew in that moment she only wanted his happiness - even if it meant she had to die.

[Eric McTavish]

let us not forget the Little Mermaid. She didn't live happily ever after. She died.

The Sea Witch gave her one last chance to undo the spell and return to the world of the MerPeople - she had to shed the Prince's blood, it had to touch her. She couldn't do it. She saw how happy he was with his wife and knew in that moment she only wanted his happiness - even if it meant she had to die.

Hay, wait that wasnt in the Disney cartoon!!!!!! You mean Dinsney warped the story???

[Nevada]

still waiting for the Disney version of Hansel and Gretel