So, there are some things we take for granted early on in life without bothering to question them. Cookies and milk and teddy bears come to mind – All part of a healthy childhood, right? Well, I ask you, what about fairy tales? Stories of wonder and full of mystical creatures and triumph over evil – What can be wrong about that? Well, let’s take a look at some of these so-called classic fairy tales that we’re raising our beloved children with, shall we?
- Hansel and Gretel: Charming story, isn’t this? Two little siblings have lost their parents, go for a walk in the woods, meet a blind old witch with a candy house who wants to eat the children for early morning brunch and imprison them in her own house, fattening them up so they can make a good meal for her. What values, precisely, does this instill our children? The only values I can think of are instilling them with an early desire to be the new Hannibal Lecter. Just groovy.
- Goldilocks and The Three Bears: Oh, here’s another classic. A beautiful little blonde girl doesn’t listen to her mommy, runs into the forest and stumbles on a charming house inhabited by three not-so-charming bears. After thoroughly ransacking the bear’s home (medieval breaking-and-entry, anyone?), the three bears return home to find the aforementioned Goldilocks and proceed to chase her, no doubt with every intention of replacing their meal of stolen porridge with a nutritious protein meal consisting of little girl stew. Um, hello, are we trying to give our little ones nightmares? What’s the point here – Listen to your parents or you’ll be eaten by bears? Unbelievable.
- Little Red Riding Hood: Yet another fascinating tale depicting what happens to kids when they try to be good. So, this innocent little girl, dressed in her little red cape, goes into the woods to visit her elderly sick Grandma and even packs her a nutritious lunch. Does her Grandma hug her, kiss her, and tell her what a good girl she’s been? Oh, heavens no. In a typical psychotic fairytale twist, Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandma has been eaten by an evil wolf who’s waiting in her bed, just salivating at the thought of having fresh little-girl-casserole. Yummy. So, I’m guessing the lesson to our little loved ones is, behave and you’ll be eaten? Fantastic.
- Snow White: Ah, yet another beautiful childrens tale of love, lust, beauty and….certain painful death? Snow White is an adorable little princess who’s Mother, the beautiful Queen, dies in childbirth. The kingdom is taken over by an evil Queen who is so obsessed with her own beauty, that she takes it upon herself to hunt poor Snow White down so she remains the most beautiful woman in the land. Several tainted apples, poisoned hairbrushes and weird little seven dwarfs later, the evil queen meets her own demise. I’m completely mystified as to the lesson behind this one. Teaching children the value of plastic surgery at an early age? Or perhaps, destroy anyone more beautiful than you? Please, I’m begging you, enlighten me.
I can site several more psychotic fairytales for the entertainment value of it all, but I think I’ve made my point quite clear. Anyone out there see any value in scaring our kids with these frightful bedtime stories? Doesn’t anyone think these stories are perhaps the remnants of a previous world and should be left as such? As always, I’d love to hear any comments or insights you might have. And don’t forget to use our new submission feature at the top of the page to add your very own complaints and observations! There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home. Oy.
Thanks for your response.
vietvet52 September 24, 2009
hell all they need to do is then there kids watch the news before bed,..