Even young children learn negative stereotypes. An old woman with a rasp voice and a cane is always a dangerous and scary person to a little one. Hansel and Gretel assume that the old woman they encounter is an evil witch just because of the fact that she is old, weary, and lives by herself. Even though they are drawn to her sweet gestures, "Fear not, children, "Come in and dine and rest (Disney 15)," they are still leery of her. In this story, it is true that the old woman is a witch looking to eat children, but why must the evil body of a fairytale most likely be an old woman? It stems back to the idea that even children have negative stereotypes of old women. Old women often live alone and have little contact with children, making them the unknown, which we are taught is scary. .
Another point about wicked women in fairytales is that even though they seem to be powerful, in the sense that they can manipulate (Hansel and Gretel in this case), they are not powerful on their own. They are only given power with the help of an outside source. Some of the women in fairytales have guardians, some use magic, and some gain power through a force like evil. Fairytales teach young girls that in order to be a strong, powerful woman help is needed from stronger sources, often being men. .
It is often argued that biology is the cause for differences in strength between genders. In her book, Taking A Stand Against Sexism And Sex Discrimination, Hanmer suggests that:.
Because nature has ordained that women bear children, nature has logically ordained that women be softer, more caring, and more nurturing than men. Furthermore, biology and nature, because of childbearing and child rearing (especially nursing) restrict women's mobility. (19).
These types of arguments lead to stereotypes about what men and women should be and not be. " the toddler learns at an early age that boys and girls are made of very different ingredients- (Hanmer 19).
Maybe their influences are harmless, but embedded in the story are some dangerous and damaging stereotypes. ... Gretel, not Hansel, defeated the witch; and for every clever youngster son there was a youngster daughter equally resourceful. ... It is this plot that helps to promote the stereotype of weak women and strong men. ... Fairytales encase the stereotypical `Ideal Virtues` of women. ...