WebMD Pulse

There must be a little girl somewhere in that sea of pink crinoline!

Have you already lost your precious daughter to all of the girlie glitter and glam? Each parent has a vision of what their little one will aspire to be, but our dreams don’t always turn out as we may have imagined. While you may be envisioning your daughter as the first female President of the United States, her current goal may be replacing Cinderella as top princess of all time.

Members of the WebMD Parenting: 2-Year-Olds Community start preparing early by sharing insight and advice on this push to be a princess in hopes to avoid a possible diva outbreak!

Are media, parents or human nature responsible for our little girls’ enormous focus on “beauty” and the “girlie girl” lifestyle beginning so early?

Member Jackie03291 says, “I definitely have to think that the media has to play a HUGE role in this, because my little over 2-year-old daughter does not watch any TV and she is not obsessed with girly princess things whatsoever.”

As if the princess craze was not enough, add in the now popular ‘tween dolls, with their “sexualized” body features and miniscule clothing to raise parents’ deepest concerns towards teaching their children the role and perception of females. Barbie is downright dowdy compared to these brassy plastic babes.

 “I do think it’s too early to send that message to these innocent little girls,” Katieb426 says. “Gosh, there’s so much pressure in life to be thin and beautiful. It really doesn’t need to start so young.”

What are your thoughts and concerns on this gender-related issue now and as your daughter grows older? Is “princess” a phase some little girls go through, or do you think it’s a sign that they are growing up too fast?

We can never be too prepared as parents and can always appreciate thoughtful support! Please feel free to join in this conversation and others in the Parenting Communities.

By Ginny Barr