Some fairytale stories have “brutal” content but teach children "valuable lessons," according to a leading author and journalist.
On The Hard Shoulder today, Mary Kenny said stories like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood have stood the test of time because they explore concepts important for a child’s development.
It comes as Newstalk presenter Simon Tierney said earlier today that he changes the details of some fairytales for his children as they “are often not aligned with the values we hold today".
Ms Kenny said research done on fairytales by famous German child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim proved otherwise.
“He thought it was very important to keep the dark side in the story because it teaches children there are bad things in the world and you have to be ready for them," she said.
“In Little Red Riding Hood, Bettelheim says the young girl is on the cusp of puberty and the red riding hood symbolises the onset of menstruation.
“She’s 12 or 13 in the story and has to learn there are bad men in this world – which is the wolf, if you like.”
A child's drawing of Little Red Riding Hood. Image: Alena Brozova / Alamy Stock PhotoLessons can also be learned from Hansel and Gretel, according to Ms Kenny.
“It’s very much about the fear of abandonment which children do have,” she said.
“It’s a very chilling story but a very memorable story at the same time.
“[Carl] Jung also analysed Hansel and Gretel and it’s about the sibling relationship and how important brothers and sisters are helping each other – another interesting aspect of it.”
Still relevant themes
Ms Kenny said the story of Cinderella comes from ancient China, but its themes are as relevant as ever.
“It’s about being an outsider, like Hans Andersons ‘The Ugly Duckling' – an underdog who makes it,” she said.
“It’s also been psychoanalysed as a story about step-parents.
“There’s so much research that shows stepfamilies are much more complicated - the dynamics and relationships which Cinderella touches on.”
Ms Kenny added that step-parents are statistically more likely not to bond with a child than biological parents.
Main image: A pile of fairytale books. Image: Carolyn Jenkins / Alamy Stock Photo
