The original image of Merida was precious and clung to by moms who adored Merida for her adventures, her love of her family, and her resemblance to the young girls they know and love.

Debates over Princess Culture -- society's obsession with toys and shows for girls that reinforce gender stereotypes -- have long been waged by expert...

Whether it's construction, trains or Princess Barbie, the drill is the same. Our kids live it and breathe it. When your child wants nothing but more trains, trains, trains, don't try to distract him. Give him trains! Go to the library and lead him to all those delectable books about trains.

Our daughters are awash in princesses and pink. Is this pinkification and princess obsession harming our girls? Is being a princess a career? I put these questions to Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture.

I will miss the princess aisle this Christmas because it will always represent my daughter's utter innocence. Her ability to believe only in the goodness of people and life itself. It will forever represent, to me, the unshakable confidence of being four.

Written by Hannah Tenison for Nameberry.com Fiery and feisty princess Merida has come bounding into the spotlight with the release of the newest an...