The vague thought that most young children grow up with is that women are weak and powerless. The influence children have while growing up is prone to shape their thoughts and opinions as adults.

Portraying women to be pretty, fragile damsels in various forms of print and media can determine the expectations of kids on women, irrespective of their gender. Living in fantasy at tender age can be fascinating, but it’s hard to digest the reality once old.

A fairy tale with a dreamy, happy ending is perfectly fine. But waiting for prince charming to help a damsel in distress is not realistic. The awwness generated from the perfect ending kiss is temporary. Young girls end up imagining  these scenes until they are hit with harsh realities of life. Whereas young boys imagine rescuing and engaging in a life saving act of the perfectly figured, dreamy eyed damsel. This sprouts their impression of women being pretty, vulnerable ladies waiting for their perfect man.

Things are changing for good. Movies and tales with better themes are emerging. It’s  nice to watch Disney come up with animations featuring female protagonists. They are no longer the damsels in distress, but the brave heroes fighting for survival. The male characters enhance their lives, rather than being the purpose of their very existence. Such movies portray grit and determination rather than focusing on gender roles.

It’s always satisfying to watch a struggling warrior emerge heroic rather than waiting ages for a kiss from a prince!