Let’s clarify something right off the bat. If your daughter dreams of being a princess, that’s perfectly fine! Embrace her fascination—get her the dresses, assist with her hair and makeup, and enjoy imaginative play. Supporting her passions is important. The issue arises when being a princess is viewed as the only path available to girls. This is why it’s essential for our daughters to understand that they can pursue a wide range of careers beyond royalty.
As mom Sarah Johnson shared with us, “Being a princess isn’t really a career one can aspire to; it’s more of an adjective we use for girls. I want to encourage them to explore different adjectives.” To support this mission, Johnson launched a website called “I Don’t Want To Be A Princess,” which highlights stories from inspiring women across various professions and sells t-shirts featuring empowering adjectives unrelated to royalty.
The idea came to her during a visit to Disney World in 2011. Her four-year-old daughter, Lily, grew frustrated with staff calling her a princess all day and exclaimed, “Mom, this is so annoying! I don’t want to be a princess; I want to be a pilot!” The website was launched on April 11, aiming to broaden the horizons for little girls who aren’t keen on the princess narrative.
While Johnson appreciates the appeal of princesses, she noticed a lack of alternatives for girls who don’t share that interest. “I’m not criticizing those who want to be princesses. As the mother of a girl who prefers other aspirations, I realized there were few options available. I want to empower all girls to embrace their true selves.”
Any parent who has searched for Halloween costumes knows that princesses dominate the market. Even non-princess costumes for girls often come with frills and skirts. Society tends to prioritize an adorable image for little girls, and the princess trend is just another layer of that expectation.
In addition to t-shirts featuring empowering words like “amazing,” “confident,” “creative,” and “strong,” Johnson’s website provides stories about iconic women such as Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, and Jane Goodall. It also spotlights “real” girls like Emma, the sole girl on her school’s soccer team.
The shirts promote messages that any parent would want their daughter to embody, particularly in a world where the princess culture is deeply ingrained, largely due to the popularity of Disney princesses. But the truth is, not all girls aspire to that.
Of course, it’s completely acceptable if a little girl’s dream is to become a princess. Over time, she’ll likely realize that it’s not a realistic career, and her aspirations will evolve. The real limitation occurs when strangers use “princess” as a default label, which can restrict a girl’s identity.
I have a daughter who enjoys princesses and embraces femininity but is also passionate about sports and science. We’ve always supported her diverse interests, and as she grows older, it’s evident she leans more toward athletics and academics. Since preschool, she’s expressed a desire to become a veterinarian, and we couldn’t be prouder. That “amazing” shirt would be perfect for her. But if she wished to wear ballgowns around the house, we’d be just as supportive.
The key point is that she has choices and will always have them.
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In summary, every girl deserves to know that she can aspire to be anything she wants, whether that’s a pilot, a scientist, or even a princess—if that’s truly her desire. The important part is ensuring they have choices.