Prof. Meryl Altman Talks With Newspaper About 'Princess Complex'

April 1, 2003

April 1, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - An article in today's Indianapolis Star, titled "The princess prevails: Despite feminism, a girl's dream of a glass slipper persists," includes analysis from a DePauw University professor. The story by Jaimee Rose of the Arizona Republicexamines the so-called "princess complex" -- the myth that women are waiting to be swept off their feet as Cinderella was in the fairy tale.

"We all want to be loved, and who would object, really, if that love came with a carriage, or at least a Cadillac Escalade, and maybe a little something from Tiffany's now and then?," Rose writes. "But it's important for little girls to grow into emotionally, academically and economically self-reliant women, said Meryl Altman, director of women's studies at DePauw University."

Dr. Altman, who also is an associate professor of English at DePauw, says, "Sometimes, young women undervalue the own abilities and think they need someone else to help take care of them when they're fine on their own. It's harmful to believe you can only lean when, in fact, you can stand." Rose adds, "That said, Altman stressed that there's nothing wrong with wanting to fall in love or a fondness for pink dresses. 'Liking pink isn't a crime,' she said. 'It doesn't mean you can't cross the street by yourself.'"