Identity and gender: Between the self and the social

Abstract

Girls do not want to be princesses any more; most would be repelled by the idea of Snow White waiting passively to receive a kiss from her prince. Girls today identify more with strong independent women like Lara Croft, who can actively fact whatever challenge is in her way. Boys also do not want to play the passive role; they prefer to identify with the strong courageous man who also actively overcomes any challenge in his path. It seems that both boys and girls want to play the active role, the character of the hero — so who is left to play the passive role?

Then the prince’s tender heart filled with compassion as he saw the sun-kissed hair, the rose-red lips and the pure white skin of his princess. With love in his heart he knelt and gently kissed her. And that was the very thing, the only thing, that could break the Queen’s bad charm! … So, once more, the forest rejoiced and was glad again as Prince Charming lifted Snow White on to his splendid white horse and took her away to be his bride (Snow White 1936, p. 14)