Saved by Men

Cinderella’s a role model –

rich prince she did wed.

So you must be a beauty

to escape life of dread.

Bookish Belle is a stunner –

ugly Beast is not nice.

So boys must be real handsome

for girls to think twice.

Snow White stays with men –

who refuse to do chores.

So to keep boys happy

you should clean dirty floors.

Pink lady was prey.

“Did she put up a fight?”

So girls just surrender –

treat those boys right.

Pretty Woman was Cinderella;

needing rescued again.

Men always save women –

will we ever learn?

The portrayal of women (and men) in the media is skewed and unrealistic; yet children and many adults believe they are not living up to societies expectations of what is acceptable. I’d love to see more balance in the media, less gender stereotyping and men and woman being shown on a level footing. Do you know they tried to make Brave’s  Princess Merida slimmer and more glamorous? It’s a Disney movie for young children! Thankfully a petition put a stop to that.

I’d be interested to know if you have a favourite female or male character from tv/film/novel you’d like to tell me about? I’m always on the look-out for positive role models to show the children I look after. I bought the book Rosie Revere Engineer last week and the children love it.  It has a positive message about not giving up and having a good first failure. A delightful book that both boys and girls love.