View From Arada | Nov 06,2021
Oct 20 , 2024
By Eden Sahle
My 10-month-old daughter who has not been exposed to screens, has developed a keen interest in books and bedtime stories. Gifts from family members, both local and abroad, have filled her little bookshelf. However, as I began reading these tales to her, I found myself alarmed by the images and messages they conveyed.
Classic fairy tales are usually violent, while their adaptations promote troubling values like jealousy and revenge. What should be wholesome and entertaining stories end up instilling fear rather than delivering meaningful lessons.
I grew up reading fairy tales like Rapunzel, Snow White, and The Prideful Cat. The excitement of a bad situation turning good thanks to a heroic figure is still vivid in my memory. Yet, alongside the excitement, I also recall the terror and confusion these stories caused. Birds pecking out the eyes of Cinderella’s stepsisters or the malice of evil witches—these haunting images have stuck with me.
Now, as a mother, I find these narratives even more disturbing. Fairy tales revolve around a helpless girl trapped in frightening circumstances, waiting to be saved by a handsome prince. This recurring theme sends a damaging message to young girls that their purpose is to find a prince, live in a palace, and find happiness only through marriage, while enemies are punished.
Childhood psychologists warn that these stories can warp a child’s self-image, shaping unrealistic expectations of life. Research has found that children exposed to fairy tales may struggle with body image issues and develop skewed views of relationships. The emphasis on beauty and slimness, common in many tales, compounds the problem. Rarely do we see strong, smart princesses celebrated for anything beyond their looks or romantic pursuits.
The frightening imagery is another issue. Some parents I know note that their children suffer from nightmares after being exposed to these tales. Even my daughter is uneasy about some of the illustrations in books like Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid. As a result, I have set aside these stories in favour of children's spiritual books, which offer positive messages and uplifting visuals.
Moreover, fairy tales paint older women as evil stepmothers or witches, subtly instilling a fear of ageing and reinforcing negative stereotypes about elderly women. The lack of good parental figures only adds to the distorted view children may develop.
Yes, we live in a complex world, and children will eventually learn that life is filled with difficulties. However, exposing them to portrayals that suggest magical fixes—whether through fairy godmothers or enchanted frogs—offers the wrong lesson. Instead, children should be taught resilience and problem-solving in a way that is encouraging, not terrifying.
Educational content in children’s stories can spark their imagination without harmful side effects. Thoughtfully crafted tales can prepare children for the real world while nurturing their creativity. Stories filled with moral lessons about kindness, hard work, and perseverance can lay a strong foundation for how children pass through life. Even when a story depicts dark moments, it should accentuate solutions that teach patience and perseverance.
In today’s world, where children face so much uncertainty, the stories we share with them should inspire strength, empathy, and wisdom. Exposing them to life’s complexities through well-crafted narratives is essential, but it must be done with care, ensuring that their learning experience is rooted in hope and empowerment—not fear.
PUBLISHED ON
Oct 20,2024 [ VOL
25 , NO
1277]
View From Arada | Nov 06,2021
Year In Review | Sep 10,2022
Editorial | Aug 10,2019
Life Matters | Jan 23,2021
Viewpoints | Jun 29,2019
Fortune News | Mar 27,2021
Life Matters | Jun 01,2019
Editorial | Feb 09,2019
View From Arada | Jul 12,2025
Sunday with Eden | May 13,2023
Photo Gallery | 192633 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 182489 Views | Apr 26,2019
Photo Gallery | 179230 Views | Oct 06,2021
My Opinion | 144731 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | Jul 31,2026
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Jul 31 , 2026
Weldu Yiheysh has not read the Pacific temperature charts. He does not need to. In Shibta District of Enderta Wereda, in...
Jul 25 , 2026
Ideally, citizens who have paid income tax all year should not have to reach for thei...
Jul 18 , 2026
Pressed in Parliament on jobs and household incomes, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD)...
Jul 11 , 2026
At a market stall, reform arrives without a communique. It comes as a higher transpor...
Aug 1 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
Addis Abeba University set out to win its institutional autonomy. Two years in, that...
Aug 1 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
The state-owned Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics (ESL) unveiled its most ambitious...
The Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG) will take delivery of eight Boeing 777 and Airbus...
Aug 1 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
Judges at the Federal High Court have ordered that 27 apartments at Noah Victory Apar...
Loading your updates...