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Gender Roles In Fairy Tales

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Gender Roles In Fairy Tales
A fairy tale is a short story that typically includes fantasy characters; known to be one of the most well-read genres, including ‘classic’ tales such as Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. However, this popular genre has influenced the roles of men and women. In our society men and women are expected to follow certain roles. If these set roles are not followed, they are considered to be non feminine or non masculine. Where did this all being, you might ask?; fairy tales. Since the beginning of fairy tales we have categorized men and women. Women in fairy tales are looked upon as weak, vulnerable, and expected to be pretty. Men are looked upon as the hero, brave, strong and muscular. These images of men and women that we are all too familiar with in fairy tales, have an extreme impact on reinforcing gender roles and the expectations society has on men and women.

In today’s society women have the expectation to look a certain way; to be beautiful, thin, modest, elegant and kind. In fairy tales such as Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, being beautiful, innocent or graceful represents that you are “good”. As a women in fairy tales having power, control and being unattractive represents that you …show more content…
In today’s society women are always looked down upon, vulnerable, or expected to dependent. Fairy tales show how the gender roles in fairy tales are damaging to young women in society. In the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, the female character is put in danger and cannot save herself. She must rely on the male character in the tale to save her. “She shall fall into sleep that will last a hundred years. At the end of that time, a king’s son will find her and awaken her by a kiss.” This fairy tale is just one example of the many that portray similar stereotypes. This influences women in society that relying on men is okay and they have no power to be
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