by Lisa WesemanPublished: 09/14/2006
From Cinderella to Pretty Woman, fairy tales for females are almost always centered around one figure: Prince Charming. Whether he's a knight in shining amour riding a white horse or a millionaire in a tuxedo riding in a stretch limousine, Prince Charming always saves the girl.
As much as you may try to resist the temptation, even modern women sometimes fall into the trap of waiting around to be rescued by the perfect man. But if you take a step back and look at what Prince Charming represents, you may be surprised by how overrated he really is.
Looks are overratedChiseled cheeks, perfect hair and a smile that melts your heart: Prince Charming is the definition of handsome.
There's nothing wrong with a man who's easy on the eyes, but at the end of the day, looks will only carry a man - and a relationship - so far.
As our culture becomes increasingly bent on the idea of the so-called "metrosexual male" - a straight man who follows fashion and pays careful attention to grooming - we have to ask ourselves what's really important. It's nice to see men finally taking care of those bushy unibrows, but are looks really the thing we should be encouraging men - or women - to devote more time, money and energy toward?
Money is overratedThere's a reason Prince Charming rides up on that white horse or in a stretch limo: he's loaded. Most fairy tales date back to a time when a one of the most important factors in marriage was a man's financial means.
While women today don't so openly pursue wealth in a partner, it's still something they consider. Many women judge a man on everything from his level of education and his career to the kind of car he drives and whether he owns a home. Some women even tell their boyfriends not to propose to them until he can afford a large diamond engagement ring.
But when women pursue money in this way, what are they giving up in return?
If you're a woman who chases wealth through a partner, are you merely using yourself as an object that can be sold for the right price?
Chivalry is overratedPrince Charming did more than open doors for his lady - he slayed dragons at her feet. But is chivalry really that important in this day and age?
Most men are genuinely trying to be considerate when they open doors, pay for dinner or drive the car. The problem comes from why men started doing these things in the first place: because they thought women were weaker and needed their help.
Everyone likes to be taken care of every now and then. But before you get your heart set on a chivalrous Prince Charming, carefully consider whether you believe that as a woman you always need to be taken care of by a man.
Be Princess CharmingFrom the time you were a little girl, you heard stories about Prince Charming. Throughout the years, he's shaped your idea of what a man should be. But you spent so much time thinking about that Prince, your probably neglected to even consider yourself.
Now that you're an adult, you still might be secretly waiting for Prince Charming to show up. He's not going to. The truth is, Prince Charming isn't real.
But that doesn't mean you can't still have a magical life. The first step is to stop waiting around for the man of your dreams -- it's time to shift your focus to becoming the woman of your dreams. Think about all the things you hope for in a husband. When the right man comes along, are you prepared to offer those things as a wife? And what if you aren't going to meet your partner for a long time - are you prepared to offer those things for yourself?
Now is the time for you to become your own Princess Charming. Develop your career. Learn to grow your own money. Get into shape. Work on your mental health. Stimulate your mind. Learn a new skill. See the world.
When you finally do meet your soul mate, you'll be able to stand at his level and meet him as a peer. And until then, you'll be living the rich, full life a Princess deserves.
As much as you may try to resist the temptation, even modern women sometimes fall into the trap of waiting around to be rescued by the perfect man. But if you take a step back and look at what Prince Charming represents, you may be surprised by how overrated he really is.
Looks are overratedChiseled cheeks, perfect hair and a smile that melts your heart: Prince Charming is the definition of handsome.
There's nothing wrong with a man who's easy on the eyes, but at the end of the day, looks will only carry a man - and a relationship - so far.
As our culture becomes increasingly bent on the idea of the so-called "metrosexual male" - a straight man who follows fashion and pays careful attention to grooming - we have to ask ourselves what's really important. It's nice to see men finally taking care of those bushy unibrows, but are looks really the thing we should be encouraging men - or women - to devote more time, money and energy toward?
Money is overratedThere's a reason Prince Charming rides up on that white horse or in a stretch limo: he's loaded. Most fairy tales date back to a time when a one of the most important factors in marriage was a man's financial means.
While women today don't so openly pursue wealth in a partner, it's still something they consider. Many women judge a man on everything from his level of education and his career to the kind of car he drives and whether he owns a home. Some women even tell their boyfriends not to propose to them until he can afford a large diamond engagement ring.
But when women pursue money in this way, what are they giving up in return?
If you're a woman who chases wealth through a partner, are you merely using yourself as an object that can be sold for the right price?
Chivalry is overratedPrince Charming did more than open doors for his lady - he slayed dragons at her feet. But is chivalry really that important in this day and age?
Most men are genuinely trying to be considerate when they open doors, pay for dinner or drive the car. The problem comes from why men started doing these things in the first place: because they thought women were weaker and needed their help.
Everyone likes to be taken care of every now and then. But before you get your heart set on a chivalrous Prince Charming, carefully consider whether you believe that as a woman you always need to be taken care of by a man.
Be Princess CharmingFrom the time you were a little girl, you heard stories about Prince Charming. Throughout the years, he's shaped your idea of what a man should be. But you spent so much time thinking about that Prince, your probably neglected to even consider yourself.
Now that you're an adult, you still might be secretly waiting for Prince Charming to show up. He's not going to. The truth is, Prince Charming isn't real.
But that doesn't mean you can't still have a magical life. The first step is to stop waiting around for the man of your dreams -- it's time to shift your focus to becoming the woman of your dreams. Think about all the things you hope for in a husband. When the right man comes along, are you prepared to offer those things as a wife? And what if you aren't going to meet your partner for a long time - are you prepared to offer those things for yourself?
Now is the time for you to become your own Princess Charming. Develop your career. Learn to grow your own money. Get into shape. Work on your mental health. Stimulate your mind. Learn a new skill. See the world.
When you finally do meet your soul mate, you'll be able to stand at his level and meet him as a peer. And until then, you'll be living the rich, full life a Princess deserves.
