Week 11 Discussion

My thesis for the research paper is that fairytales are beneficial in the development of children’s imagination, creativity and individual growth.  story time can help children understand the complexities of relationships, as well as imagination and creative growth. List A provides “the positive impacts of fairytales for children” by Leilani Visikoknox – Johnson. Johnson goes on to explain how Therapist use fairytales when working with children to study their emotional response. Visikoknox states “this provides a great way of accessing children’s imagination by exploring memories of fairytales and using them to adjust, painful and unsettling issues in a non-threatening playful manner.” This helps me to understand how fairytales are not only an educational tool, but a developmental safe space for children and their growing complex emotions. From list B the article “why fairytales matter” by Maria Tate spoke to me specifically for its attention to the emotional development of children with the use of fairytales. Mariah explains how fairytales can help children process and understand complex adult issues. She puts it “Fairy tales connect with all kinds of adult secrets… They tell children about death, which is something that adults talk about in hushed tones.” Complex issues that are sometimes too intricate to be explained, or sometimes more palatable through fairytales.  

Fairy tales can offer important benefits for children. They encourage imagination, introduce basic ideas of right and wrong, and help children explore emotions in a safe way while some stories reflect outdated values that can be not practical in real world nowadays. From List A, the article “Sex and Violence in Fairy Tales” by David Isaacs caught my attention. In it, Isaacs explores concerns about the scary or violent parts of traditional fairy tales, such as death or cruelty. He argues that while these elements may seem harmful, they actually give children a way to face fear in a safe setting. This idea made me think differently about how children process intense emotions and situations From List B, I was interested in “Rediscovering the Power of Fairy Tales” by Mary Howarth. She writes about how fairy tales can be valuable in the classroom to help children understand life challenges, solve problems, and talk about feelings. What caught my attention was her point that these stories allows children to make sense of their own experiences relating to their own life journey.

My thesis for the research essay is, Even though fairy tales are meant for children, they often deal with dark topics like fear, danger, and survival, showing how people use stories to deal with the scary parts of life. From List A, I chose Jack Zipes’s article “The Struggle for the Meaning of Fairy Tales.” What stood out to me was how Zipes explained that fairy tales come from real struggles people have faced. These stories might use magic or talking animals, but they still talk about serious things like hunger, danger, or feeling alone. From List B, I picked Bruno Bettelheim’s “The Uses of Enchantment.” Bettelheim explains that scary parts of fairy tales actually help children deal with emotions like fear or anger. Instead of avoiding those feelings, the stories help kids face them. I like the idea that fairy tales are not just fun or silly they can help people understand hard things in a safe way.

My research essay shows that fairy tales hurt children by teaching them wrong ideas about life. These stories tell young girls bad messages: that being quiet and waiting is good, that being pretty will make a prince save them, and that getting married fixes everything. Fairy tales also show women fighting with each other instead of helping each other. As Fisher and Silber say, “Fairy tales are internalized at a tender age, before their primary audience – young girls – have acquired tools for questioning them” Fisher-GoodBadBeyond-2000.pdf (Page 133). Kids learn these narrow gender roles before they can think about them clearly.   I also believe that fairy tales also pictures a reality for little boys that their only purpose in life is to create a family and take care of them and not live life for themselves. “Boys compete with their fathers for their mother’s love and then fear retrieval.” J Paediatrics Child Health (Page 1) This quote shows how fairy tales might strengthen unhealthy family feelings where boys feel they must compete with their dad, potentially creating anxiety and competitive tensions in boys’ family relationships. Fairy tales hurt them more as they struggle to find out who they really are without including others and responsibilities. i think its best to let them experience life realistically as much as they can so they can be ready to face some challenges along the ways but fairy tales tend to show them that life will always have a good ending and its promised that everyone  will find someone no matter what  or a good ending is always waiting for them at the end.

Thesis: Yes, I think fairy tales are good for children. They do more than just entertain, they help kids understand their emotions, learn life lessons, and use their imagination. These stories often have simple messages about right and wrong, facing fears, and believing in yourself, which can really stick with kids as they grow up. One Article I read from List A Is the “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children,”. Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson talks about how fairy tales help kids deal with feelings like fear, anger, and sadness. I liked how she explained that stories give kids a safe way to explore tough emotions. That stood out to me because I remember how stories made me feel better when I was little, even if I didn’t understand why at the time. The article I choose from list B is Mary Howarth’s article “Rediscovering the Power of Fairy Tales”  which was really interesting. She writes about how fairy tales help kids (and teachers) be more creative and curious. I liked how she connected stories to learning and imagination. It made me think about how fairy tales are more than just fun; they can actually help kids grow and think in new ways.

Thesis: Fairy tales are not just fun stories but also powerful tools for children’s emotional, moral and imaginative development, with valuable life lessons and shaping their worldview. List A: “The Benefits of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson One thing that stood out in this article is how fairy tales help children deal with difficult emotions by giving them symbolic stories where good beats evil. Knox-Johnson says fairy tales reflect inner struggles and provide a safe space for children to explore fear, courage and justice. I liked this because it shows how these stories can guide kids through their own challenges, using metaphor to make sense of big feelings. List B: “Tell Your Children Fairy Stories” by Jane Stafford Staffod says storytelling between parents and children is a bonding activity that also passe on cultural values and personal beliefs. I liked her point that telling stories helps children develop imagination and a sense of morality. This resonates with me because it shows the lasting impact of oral storytelling beyond just reading, it becomes a shared experience between parent and child that shapes identity.

While fairy tales can often be seen as harmless and whimsical, I believe that traditional fairy tales can negatively impact children’s development. They create an unrealistic perception of reality, reinforce gender stereotypes, portray idealistic relationships, and suggest punishment for not being physically attractive. The article that I chose from list A is “Experts Say Fairy Tales Not So Happy Ever After’ By Liz Grauerholtz. They stated that fairy tales promote more about beauty standards. The ones that are “unattractive” are portrayed as evil or jealous. Stories tell children that unattractive people are more likely to be evil and reinforce traditional gender roles* (Grauerholz). This interest me because multiple tales normalize people not being up to certain standards as being evil. One that’s famously known is Snow White. The article I chose from List B is “Good and Bad beyond Belief: Teaching Gender Lessons through Fairy Tales and Feminist Theory” by Jerilyn Fisher and Ellen S. Silber and “Rediscovering the Power of Fairy Tales” by Mary Howarth. Children can interpret her own point of the fairy tales and apply this to real world situations.

My Thesis: Fairy tales are bad for children because they promote unrealistic beauty standards, reinforce harmful gender roles, and give children false expectations about life and success. Article from List A: One article that caught my attention from List A is “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. Even though this article argues in favor of fairy tales, I found it interesting because it helped me understand the opposite point of view. The author claims that fairy tales can help children develop imagination and learn life lessons. This made me think more deeply about how different people can interpret fairy tales in very different ways. Article from List B: From List B, I was most interested in “The Pervasiveness and Persistence of the Feminine Beauty Ideal in Children’s Fairy Tales” by Lori Baker-Sperry and Liz Grauerholtz. This article explains how fairy tales constantly send messages that being beautiful is the most important thing for girls. One idea that stood out to me was that beauty is often shown as a woman’s “most important asset.” That really made me think about how harmful this message can be, especially for young girls who are still developing their self-image

Fairy tales are not just entertaining stories, but powerful instruments that helps the emotional development and moral understanding of children. The article that I am looking for is “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. I enjoyed how the writer emphasizes the fact that fairy tales allow children to build emotional resilience. She explains how the form of fairy tales characters face difficult challenges but eventually triumph is capable of assisting children in overcoming their own problems of hope and courage. I enjoyed this idea because it suggests that children’s stories are not just entertainment but actually promote children to be strong inside. Another article I read was “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar. Tatar feels fairy tales are important because they allow children to explore complex emotions and issues in a safe, symbolic way. She talks about how fairy tales are a field for imagination and self-knowledge, and that really resonated with me. Her discussion of why children see themselves in fairy tale characters made me think about how fairy tales can be reflections for children who are trying to determine who they are and what kind of person they want to be. Together, these articles affirm the idea that fairy tales are powerful cultural instruments that helps children’s psychological and emotional growth.

My thesis is that fairy tales often benefit children early in their lives by inspiring creativity, teaching problem-solving, and helping them understand the difference between right and wrong. One strong article from List A is “Tell Fairy Stories to Your Children” by Jane Stafford. She argues that children learn moral lessons more effectively through stories than through direct instruction. I agree, stories naturally capture attention and stick in our minds, which makes them powerful teaching tools. Through magical plots and colorful characters, fairy tales introduce moral challenges in ways that are easy for children to understand. From List B, “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar stood out to me. Tatar focuses on how fairy tales help build emotional resilience. She explains that even when the stories include dark or scary moments, children aren’t overwhelmed by them. Instead, they feel comforted by the message that good eventually wins over evil.

I believe fairy tales are beneficial for children because they encourage creativity and imagination. Through magical storytelling, young children are able to picture and fantasize about different worlds and characters, helping them develop a vivid imagination. In List A, “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson from the University of Hawaii, the author explains that therapists often use fairy tales when working with children. This allows them to observe the child’s emotional responses in a safe, non-threatening way. As VisikoKnox-Johnson puts it, “This provides a great way of accessing children’s imagination by exploring memories of fairy tales and using them to address painful or unsettling issues in a nonthreatening, playful manner.” Another source, Why Fairytales Matter, discusses how author L. Frank Baum used fairy tales not just to expose false magic, but to highlight “the magic of language, the power to with words.” I found this idea especially powerful because it shows how imagination and storytelling shape the way we express ourselves and understand the world. Together, these sources show that fairy tales not only spark creativity but also help children process emotions and develop their own unique way of thinking.

Thesis: Fairy tales are good for children because they help kids be creative and teach them how to deal with problems and learn right from wrong. Article from List A: One article I liked from List A is “Tell Fairy Stories to Your Children” by Jane Stafford. She says kids remember lessons better from stories than from lectures. I think this is true because stories are fun and easier to understand. Fairy tales can teach kids about good and bad behavior through exciting adventures. That’s why Stafford believes parents should keep reading fairy tales to their kids. Article from List B: From List B, I liked “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar. She says fairy tales help kids deal with scary or hard feelings safely. I liked how she said kids don’t mind the dark parts—they feel better when the good people win. It helps them believe they can be strong too.

Classic fairy tales can be very helpful for children. They encourage imagination, teach right from wrong, and may help kids understand and deal with their feelings. Fairy tales also give parents a chance to talk with their children about old fashioned or outdated ideas that show up in some stories. When parents read fairy tales with their kids and talk about them afterward, the stories can become a great tool for learning and growing. One article from List A that I found interesting is “Sex and Violence in Fairy Tales” by David Isaacs from the Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. What stood out to me was the idea that many fairy tales have hidden meanings related to sex and emotions, and that they can affect a child’s subconscious in ways we might not realize. From List B, I liked the article “Tell Fairy Stories to Your Children” by Jane Stafford. One idea that caught my attention was how powerful and intense fairy tales can be for kids. It reminded me that it’s important for parents to be careful with how they share these stories, and to talk about them in a way that helps children understand the meaning behind them.

“Sex and Violence in Fairy Tales” editorial by David Isaacs, Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. I found this article informative on how it explores traditional fairy tales that often contain certain elements of sexualand violent themes. Isaacs notes notes that nese narratives while seemingly innocent, can reflect fantasies related to sexuality , aggression, guilt and family dynamics. Stories highlighted included included ” Little Red Riding Hood” and “Bluebeard” have included descriptive child abuse and violece, predating modern awareness of these issues. Isaascs awareness and emphasive on the importance for the pediatricians amd caregivers is to recognize the significance that these underlying themes may influence childrens influence and their perceptions and emotional development. Good and Bad beyond Belief: Teaching Gender Lessons through Fairy Tales and Feminist Theory” by Jerilyn Fisher and Ellen S. Silber Fisher and and Silber analyze how classical fairy fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel convey gendered messages that reinforce patriarchal norms. They argue that these stories often depict young women in passive roles, awaiting to be rescued by male figures, while portraying female antaganoists. such as stephmothers and withces. as embodiments of evil. The author can influence children’s perceptions of gender roles and relationships. Even incoporating or advocating for feminist theory into the teaching of these theorys. The approach aims to foster critical thinking and promote discussions about gender, poer, and societal norms in educational settings. I believe that Fairy Tales can convey a unrealistic ideal of what gender roles are and to be expected of. What feminism is and what heroicinism is. Over the centuries many times have change and womens right have change. Even princess books create a fantasy of one day a little girl finding her princess and growing up to be beautiful and being rescued. And in turn we have […]

My thesis for my research essay on fairy tales is as follows: Fairy tales are helpful for children to use their imagination, learn morals, as well as aid in their development. “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children”  by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson supports that fairy tales aid children’s growth. A quote that caught my attention, because it points to not only reading fairy tales but experiencing them through performance. “One of the central reasons that fairy tales are important is that they aid in child development. Fairy tales are often shaped to test children’s initiative. Not only is reading the story essential, but having the child act out the story is also just as important for developing a child’s consciousness and for his or her moral development.” Maria Tatar brings up interesting points about how fairy tales impact the reader on a visceral level, in “Why Fairy Tales Matter”, which intrigues me because it speaks to what could be seen as an almost universal experience of readers. “Fairy tales also have transformative effects on us, and when we read and hear them, they produce vertiginous sensations…”

Here is my thesis statement: Fairy tales play a crucial role in both child development and cultural storytelling by providing valuable lessons, fostering imagination, and offering therapeutic benefits, despite potential criticisms regarding their traditional narratives. From List A: One article that stood out to me is “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. This article explains how fairy tales help children understand basic human conflicts and relationships while also aiding their moral and emotional development. What caught my attention the most was the idea that fairy tales can be used in therapy, especially for children dealing with illnesses. Storytelling allows kids to express their fears and anxieties in a safe way, which helps them process difficult emotions. This resonates with me because, growing up in Africa, I experienced the power of storytelling firsthand. My uncles and grandparents would gather us around the fire during vacations in the village, sharing traditional tales that taught us about courage and kindness. Each story had its own traditional song, which the storyteller would sing at key moments, adding an artistic element to the experience. These moments were significant in shaping my understanding of right and wrong. From List B: Another article I found interesting is “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar. Tatar talks about how fairy tales address universal themes like love, courage, and transformation, making them meaningful across generations. Her explanation that these stories connect us to shared human experiences and inspire creativity made me realize how fairy tales are important not only for personal growth but also for understanding cultural values and traditions. During school time in the city, my parents introduced me to modern fairy tales like “Snow White” and “Cinderella,” or as we call them in French, “Blanche Neige” and “Cendrillon.” Watching these tales on […]

Classic fairytales are good for children because they spark their imagination, could teach them important morals and possibly help them process emotions. Fairytales can also give parents the chance to guide their children through the outdated ideologies. Using fairytales with thoughtful discussions, can become a powerful tool in child development. The article from list A that interested me was “Sex and Violence in Fairy Tales” editorial by David Isaacs, Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, one of the ideas that caught my attention was the idea of fairytales being derived from sexual decency and the affect fairytales have on the subconscious. The article from list B that interested me was “Tell Fairy Stories to Your Children” by Jane Stafford, and one idea that caught my attention was the insight on how intense fairytales can be and the importance of being mindful of how the fairytale is delivered and discussed to children.

Fairy tales are beneficial for children because they promote imagination, teach moral lessons, and help children develop emotional resilience through symbolic storytelling. From List A, I’m interested in the article “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. I find it appealing how she states that children may identify with the characters and experience empowerment when those characters  overcome challenges. This article argues that fairy tales allow children to explore and understand complex emotions, such as fear and courage, via symbolic figures and imaginative scenarios. From List B, I chose “Another Look at the Fairy Tales” by Leland B. Jacobs. Jacobs focuses on how fairy tales encourage children’s imaginations and expand their perspectives. His argument that fairy tales encourage kids to see unlimited opportunities and promote the development of creative problem-solving abilities struck a chord with me. These ideas strengthen the importance of fairy tales for young children’s development.

My thesis for the research essay is that fairy tales are beneficial for children because they support language development, moral comprehension, and emotional growth. From List A, I was especially interested in “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. One idea that stood out to me was how fairy tales give children a way to process emotions they may not be able to express yet. The article mentions a study in an Italian oncology ward where sick children connected deeply with fairy tales, as they saw the villains as a symbol of their illness and related to the feeling of helplessness from the main characters. This comparison gave the children a new coping mechanism for something as serious as death, which I found very powerful. Another idea I appreciated was how therapists can use children’s reactions to fairy tales to understand identity issues and emotional struggles they may be facing, especially during illness or trauma. From List B, the article “Rediscovering the Power of Fairy Tales” by Mary Howarth also supported my thesis. Howarth explains how fairy tales help children explore ideas like identity, trust, and problem-solving. One example she gives is how children acting out stories can strengthen both their vocabulary and their understanding of moral values. I also liked that the article pointed out how fairy tales create space for kids to feel empowered, such as in “The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids” by the Brothers Grimm, where the smallest goat ends up saving the others. This shows how children can identify with characters and use those connections to work through big emotions and develop a stronger sense of self.

I believe fairly tales are harmful to children , especially in the crucial early childhood development years . These tales are teaching our children at such a young age to be conditioned to different form of gender roles , where they tell our daughters to be the “submissive damsel” and our boys that woman are a prize and not their equal . The source I would use from list B is “Some Day My Prince Will Come” by Marcia R Lieberman . ” They Reflect The Taste Of refined literary men who edited the first popular collections of children’s fairy tales during the Victoran era ” (Marcia). This statement alone shows the outdated gender roles being imposed on our children who are growing up in such a different era and time. Another source I identified in List B ” Tell Fairy Tales To Your Children” . In this article the author speaks of a man who at the age of 30 was dealing with the psychological effects of his mothers bed time stories ! “Telling the stories had a comforting effect or on her and relived her own tension but the way she told them had a harmful effect on her son ” (Stafford). Proving that the stories we read to children can have a long lasting effect on a child”s early development . I enjoyed this article because many people will debate that stories are harmless but the child”s mind is like a sponge constantly absorbing information and the smallest things can leave an ever last impact . 

My thesis statement is Fairy tales can be bad for children because “it can badly affect them with harmful stereotypes such fostering realism and failing to face the consequences that are going to affect their lives.” My main statement can argue that fairy tales are retellings of folk tales, and folk tales tell the children anxieties of life such as family and riches. From List A, I use a quote from “Sex and Violence from Fairy Tales” by David Issacs: “Many tales have been modified because the originals were too confronting. The Grimm may have loved violence, but they found sex and family strife treating.” (Issacs) From List B, I choose a quote from “Some Day My Prince will Come” by Marcia Lieberman: “It’s hard to see how children could be “prepared for women’s liberation by reading fairy tales.” (Lieberman)

I do believe fairy tales are good for children because they can have their own creative mind. This is magical imagination because the young children can picture and fantasize fairytales from storytelling. I identified in List A “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson, University of Hawaii Young children going through challenges a variety of therapists uses fairy tales on children, so they can observe the children’s response and reaction. In the end, this is a beautiful thing because each kid has their own creativity and experience.“This provides a great way of accessing children’s imagination by exploring memories of fairy tales and using them to address painful or unsettling issues in a nonthreatening, playful manner” (Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson). “Even as Baum used a fairy tale to debunk magic reveal that it is produced by a Great Humbug who creates the mystery, he also affirmed the magic of language, the power to with words”(Why Fairstales matter). One thing I liked about this source tells how magic and imagination translate our language, how we think and express ourselves. Both authors give a clear explanation of what fairytales give to us because when children are young, they can imagine colors or reading. All in all gives off their own uniqueness of emotions.

My thesis statement is “Fairy tales, while often considered harmless, can negatively impact children by perpetuating outdated stereotypes about gender roles and values, fostering unrealistic expectations, and failing to reflect the complexities of the modern world.” My main argument in this essay that fairy tales are way too outdated, they reflect the values of times that we left behind on purpose. From the list A, I used a quote that reflects a harm that fairy tales can cause to little girls by telling them to be submissive and do not try to be independent. “It’s important to understand the messages our children receive about traditional gender roles, especially during a time when women are encouraged to be independent and rely on their brains rather than beauty” (Grauerholz). From list B I used a quote that reflects on what might be a problem why fairy tales main female character is not independent or does not know how to do anything. “Indeed, feminist psychological studies have documented thoroughly the importance of a mother’s positive role in her daughter’s gender identity” (Fisher).