Rowe's Feminism and Fairytales

I think that Rowe's argument about most fairy tales is valid; a little too feminist for me, but valid. She talks about the problem of how most tales depict women as "choiceless" and dependent; that, in most cases, there is the presence of male dominance as being a predetermined aura in a female's life.  This is very true but at the same time, through all the joyful singing, animal talking friends, etc, i can't help but see that these women's aspirations aren't too far off from the goals, hopes and dreams of many women in real life. Society does tell women that they can make their own choices and that they most certainly have the same equality and opportunities as men. However, and even though i am not a girl, i can say with much confidence, that the majority of women that live in this real life world, will give anything to find love and happiness; to get married and have a family. Rowe expresses that in her eyes, the eyes of a feminist, fairy tales look at these life oriented messages and seem to depict women as being subordinate to men; lesser of people. She states in her argument, for example "they transfer from fairy tales into real life those fantasies which exalt acquiescence to male power and make marriage not simply one ideal, but the only estate toward which women should aspire...she binds herself first to the father and then the prince; she restrics her ambitions to hearth and nursery." She thinks that these tales show young women that they need to strive for marriage and a family; hold on securely to male dominance; that this is what a woman should be. Is this really a bad thing though? Young women in this world know that they are free to make their own choices. Society and parents want to see children experience happiness. A young woman's love and romantic attachment to a man, bringing them to marriage and a family is a joy most girls aspire to. Rowe, through her feminist viewpoint, makes it seem like this attachment to the male sex is the worst thing in the world; they should find something more meaningful. But in reality most people want to find their one "true love" and spend the rest of their life with this person. In my eyes, love is true happiness.