Tinker ... bill? Disney fairies get a sex change

[Butterfly]

Tinker ... bill? Disney fairies get a sex change
By Mary Elizabeth Williams
28 April, 2010


http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/04/28/disney_boy_fairies/


Why would children go to such lengths to make their Hollow a coed institution? For starters, for the same reason there's a Ken doll. My own 10-year-old got hip to the need for a masculine avatar soon after she created her first feminine one – so that "Coriander" could escort "Emma" around. But there are other reasons. Real live boys may be reluctant to admit it in the cafeteria, but plenty of them like Pixie Hollow, too. Why not? It's a pretty sophisticated virtual world, a visually rich place to hang out and play games, and a safe forum to talk to other kids. Also, you can fly around with your awesome wings. But maybe the most compelling reason for sneaking boys into fairyland is that despite our biological differences and the sex role expectations that start the moment we're wriggled into pink or blue booties, gender is a remarkably pliable thing. That's why little boys don't yet know there's anything unusual or transgressive about being single ladies  and why little girls don't really need Burger King to throw in a necklace to enjoy an Iron Man Meal.

[V M]

That's cute and a win for the children 

[Pica Pica]

Good on them kids.

[kyle_lawrence]

I signed up, and then played for over an hour.... pretty cool actually.  Feel free to mock me now.

[LordKAT]

first I've heard of "pixie Hollow". Don't think I've missed anything.