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I don’t know when exactly parents began referring to their daughters as their “princesses,” but I imagine it’s gone on for just about as long as the concept of royalty has existed. Of course every parent wants the best for their child. Of course every parent wants people to treat their daughter with the utmost respect. Parents hope their daughters behave gracefully. They want to spoil their daughters with love. All of these things naturally lead to the nickname princess. But we have to remember that little girls are still children, meaning they still have a very me-centric way of thinking. Children rather naturally believe they should have what they want whenever they want and be treated with the utmost respect. That is not their issue. In fact, learning to work hard, be patience, and consider the needs of others is what children need to learn in order to become adults. That’s why telling your little girl she’s a princess at a young age can be problematic. Here’s what can happen if your parents called you princess.
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You feel manual labor is not for you
Lifting boxes, washing the car, moving a table—that’s not for princesses. That’s for burly men, apparently. If you were told you’re a princess, you likely leave manual labor up to everyone else around you, which isn’t fair. If you’re able-bodied, you should do it, too.
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You don’t fight your own battles
Princesses don’t fight their own battles. They send their knights in shining armor out to do it for them. That’s why women who were told they’re princesses make their boyfriends or husband pick a fight with the man who just spilled their drink.
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Your perspective is limited
Little girls who are called “princess” can grow up with the mentality, “The most important thing is what I want.” Their parents always put the child’s needs first, so she grows up feeling everyone should, rather than asking, “What’s best for everyone?”
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You can be high maintenance
Princesses have very elaborate getting-ready routines. Little girls who are called princesses and given vanity tables and makeup from a young age grow up thinking that to be woman means to take three hours getting ready.
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You can be snobbish
Princesses don’t go to small, rundown, but charming bars. Princesses don’t stay in motels. Princesses grow up to require only the most luxurious items, and can be rather superficial.
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You want a subordinate; not a partner
Princesses are used to people working to serve them around the clock. They grow up believing their partner should live to make their day better and put the princess’ needs above their own, even if it harms them.
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You don’t think you should be questioned
Royalty has unwavering authority. So little girls called “Princess” grow up believing nobody should argue with their opinion or challenge their ideas.
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You may demand special treatment
Royalty receives special treatment wherever they go. So little princess girls tend to grow up to be demanding and rude restaurant customers and difficult hotel guests.
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A princess is not a queen
If there’s anything we should call our daughters it’s “Queen.” Queens have power but they also have responsibility. They have to care about what’s best for others.
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But you still act like a ruler
Princesses, unfortunately, may not really ask themselves what’s best for everyone but still pretend they know what’s best for everyone (it’s just whatever they want) and enforce that.
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Princesses are waiting
A princess is waiting to…become a queen or…have a prince sweep her off her feet. The role of a Princess is stagnant, and feeling that it’s someone’s else’s job to fix her life—that’s not a good outlook to have in life.
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You want all the attention
Princesses are used to be the center of attention everywhere they go. They might make their friends’ birthday party or even wedding all about them, grabbing the mic and making long, self-involved speeches.
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You feel entitled
Princesses are born entitled to things. That’s why we shouldn’t tell our little girls they are princesses—they grow up thinking they don’t need to work for anything.
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You expect extravagance
Princesses can’t eat from taco trucks or sleep in a friend’s humble guest room/office. They expect extravagance all the time, which makes them insufferable.
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You’ll call your daughter a princess
If you were called a princess, you will likely call your daughter a princess, and perpetuate the gross cycle of raising unthoughtful and selfish humans. Don’t call girls Princess.
