In our society, although 1 out of every 2 marriages fail, marriage still seems to be presented one of the absolute pinnacles of our being. Marriage is the “happy ending” of most of our traditional folklore than, is not surprising. But as our culture is changing, single-parent household and those living as life-long bachelors and bachelorettes are more common, how relevant and reflective of modern societal values are they? I think it is quite obvious that the majority of the members of our society for the most part, positively views marriage. But our traditional folktales and the majority’s opinion are not reflective of the reality.
How many “alternative” fairy tales have you heard of? I have not heard of very many that still do not end “happily ever after” with the bride and groom being whisked off to marital bliss and never being heard from again. I have, however, found a compilation of “Princess Stories with Attitude” called Don’t Kiss the Frog! I have not read it yet but I proceeded to order it on Amazon, just to check it out. But the title intrigues me; Don’t Kiss the Frog?
( You can preview it here on Amazon! )I feel, in our society we are constantly reminded of the "threat" to the foundation of family or the foundation of marriage. As if suggesting that one does not have to find a partner, or one does not have to have children is automatically promoting promiscuity. But I believe it is important for children to develop a sense of independence, a sense that even if they do not end up with a prince or princess charming, they can still end up “happily ever after”. I do not know if it will ever happen, or at least happen in my lifetime, but can we promote, or SHOULD we promote happiness, even if it means being single, over monogamy? Can we even do that through children’s literature? It really makes me wonder.
