my 4 year old anya is quite in to super heroes. specifically female super heroes. john likes to watch justice league with her and she latches on to the female characters – no matter how small a role they play.
last halloween she wanted to be wonder woman (actually, “princess wonder woman” were her exact words.) of course, i had to ask “where will we find a princess wonder woman costume?” “mom, we have to go to the store with the big ‘W’ on the front. they will have everything we need for princess wonder woman.” she replied. (i will remind you at this point she is still 3. as if to say, “duh, mom. they have a store for this stuff.”)
so we found a traditional wonder woman costume and a wig and she was happy.
today on the way to the grocery store anya said “mommy, can i be black canary for halloween?” “sure! where do you think we will find that costume?” (no, i didn’t learn my lesson from the first time i asked that question.) this time, she wasn’t as certain of the where-abouts of a black canary costume. “i think we’ll just have to go to target to look for one, mommy.”
the beauty of all this is that she has balance. not only does she love the strong, fighting-for-your-rights women, but she also loves princesses. i think that’s a great combination.
“Fightin’ for your rights,
In her satin tights
and the red, white and blue!
Wonder Woman!”
I suppose it might be my influence that has caused her to latch onto superheroes… but I’d rather her heroes were Wonder Woman and Black Canary than Barbie and the Bratz dolls.
we’ve seen the negative impacts bratz dolls can have on a young girl. i’d hate for her to have insecurities about her small head.
/me adds a few points to the Anya column.
Well, Wonder Woman IS a princess, you know. It’s not like the kid has that wrong. What’s troubling is the rate she’s going through the superheroines. She’s knockin’ off WW and BC before first grade, by the time she gets to junior high she’s gonna be down to Tigra and the Wasp.
No one wants to see that. Trust me. (Or ask John.)
She is well aware that Wonder Woman is a princess. The day she found out, she was running all over the house saving the “Wonder Woman baby” with her “Princess Gun.” I’m not sure I get it either, but it was funny.
She has moved on from the core JLA members and can now name people like “The Shining Knight.” I’m only vaguely aware of who he is (or she according to Grant Morrisson’s revamp.)
I’m so proud.