Once upon a time we did NOT create princess rooms for little girls. Is this magical space creating an imbalance in girls? It’s great to identify the girl gender with the pretty pink colors, but do we take the color and the fairy tale theme to a degree of psychological harm? With the feminist movement heading in the right direction, are we giving a different message to young girls? These are a few questions that come to mind when I am working with homeowners that want to create a space in their home specifically for a “princess”. 
Fast forward that “princess” into there twenties …
- Does this “princess” have self esteem issues?
- If you called your child a “princess” at a young age, she may grow up to not value herself for who she truly is and want to be something that is not real … (fairy tale images at a young age are not always good, especially when parents reinforce that fairy tale behavior.)
- Did you say things like … you are so cute and beautiful at a young age? Teaching them ability over appearance will give your daughter the real image she should want out of life.
- If your daughter’s role model, at a young age was the “princesses” of the Disney channel, she may grow up to believe adults are not that realistic. Being a good role model or having a good role model, to show her what strength of being a female is all about will go a long way.
My guidance as an Interior Designer in this situation is to create a balance and not enhance a behavior with the décor of a “princess”. Pink is a very empowering color for females, if the color is conveyed in that manner and not associated to being a “princess”. So what does that balance look like?
- “Feminine” verses a “Princess”: Pink is bold and beautiful, but all the frills that go with the “Princess” suite, enhances a behavior that could effect a child later in life. You may want to consider adding a hobby to their décor or a craft space, so they enhance their creativity.
- Adding culture to their space shows them there is more to their life than the frills of the Disney characters. Music, cooking, a reading corner with a small library are a full ideas in creating a more well rounded little person.
- Their space could be enhanced with family photos to give them a stronger sense of what family is supposed to represent and share with them the stories about these family members, so they have a sense of belonging, way after the family members are just memory’s in our lives.
Teach your child by example and let them know what the true meaning of their gender is, so they can grow up with a clear perception of reality.