The fallacious idea is placed in children's minds and is, therefore, expected later in life. Fairy tales that provide incorrect beliefs about people are simply setting children up for disappointment. .
Children in fairy tales are usually portrayed as obedient and beautiful. In Rapunzel, the character's loveliness is shown through the line, "As the years went by, Rapunzel grew to be the most beautiful child imaginable" (Ehrlich 9). The child is depicted as beautiful because of the idea that parents adore their attractive children. Hendrickson comments that throughout the story Rapunzel, in all forms, is an object of desire. Small children compare fairy tales to their own lives and believe they are supposed to be like the characters their age. Trying to mirror characters of a fantasy life can be brutal for children. Bell Hooks supports the idea through her passage about her own experience. "Fairy tales were the refuge of my troubled childhood" (Hendrickson 211).
The book Rapunzel is completely based around one feature of the girl. Rapunzel's stunning long hair is commented on throughout the book. One passage reads, "Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, as fine as spun gold" (Ehrlich 11). The purpose of the girl's long, beautiful hair is to show that hair is a big part of a woman's looks. Hair is an important factor determining how children perceive beauty. Danielson and Harrington comment that, "Hairstyles are one way in which children and adults establish their identities" (59). Rapunzel is deeply saddened when the witch cuts off her hair. Her sorrow wrongly informs children that short hair is not as beautiful as long hair. Misleading comments in fairy tales suggest drastic ideas of beauty to children, which causes them to judge other people against perfection. Danielson and Harrington notice the beauty issues that are found in fairy tales and mention the importance of teaching children different outlooks.