There is a lot of harm done by encouraging the princess syndrome, as I sometimes call it, in our daughters. What often happens is it results in fabricating a shell of self-entitlement and "I'm perfect because I'm a princess!" cliches around the daughters which act as a sort of shield against pain - but it also acts as a shield against reality and growing up in a world that is not princess-friendly by nature. In the process of instilling the princess syndrome, parents often end up teaching these girls to form a habit of "pricing" themselves out of the dating market by always demanding WAY more out of the men than what they put into the relationship. It boils down to scores of women demanding special treatment because they happen to have female sex organs and not because they have actually DONE anything to deserve special treatment, and that is just silly. 

Ever notice that in many of the classical Disney movies, you often have the dude rushing to save the princess and fighting off the dragon or (insert foe here), and the movie usually ends right at the wedding bells? The whole time, the princess is often treated as an object, someTHING that is acted upon by a guy. Sure, she may sing and dance here and there but it's usually the prince who has to come and "save the day." That sort of cliched BS can result in young girls developing a very inflated sense of self ("The guy has to do the heavy lifting because I'm so special"), as well as the implied message to guys that if they aren't actively "saving" their women, then they aren't worth dirt. 

Now it's not as if Disney or other media which promulgate the princess fantasy are 100% BS; in some cases they do impart lessons on developing valuable character traits such as self-confidence, bravery and ingenuity. And some of the more recent Disney movies, like Mu'Lan or Brave, do a good job of breaking the gender stereotype and showing girls that yes, women CAN be brave and bold just like the men. But by and large, parents should be very careful about exposing their children to the princess fantasy that has become a part of our culture. 

Well, it's not *just* Disney, it's also just about every romantic comedy out there. And I agree with you that they're not realistic, but at the same time, I expect them to not be realistic because they are selling escapism and entertainment.
I think you're right, but I also truly don't understand what kind of disconnect with reality a woman must have to live in this kind of world. I mean, I had my impossible daydreams (and still do) but I've never found it difficult to actually live in reality and reconcile my perceptions with what's actually going on around me.

I think blaming this on Disney is ridiculous. I'm 24 and I grew up watching Disney films and dressing up as a princess for parties, but you grow out of it. If you don't, at some point, teach your children that Disney stories are just that, stories, and nothing like reality, you're not really doing your job as a parent.

Most people grow out of it.

Or the notebook and other such sappy franchise films.. Some people take it literally

Personally, I see nothing wrong with allowing our daughters to indulge in fantasy land. The time for innocence and magic and fairy dust and princess dresses is so fleeting. Before you know it, that sweet little girl hosting tea parties for her stuffed animals while dressed to the nines is going to be piercing her nose and telling you she hates you. I say let little girls pretend to be princesses if that's what they want. They do grow out of it. I grew up watching princess movies, and I don't have a warped sense of entitlement, nor did I expect the man of my dreams to act like Aladdin or Eric. I also do not have any problems with facing the reality of my life. Pardon my bluntness, but anyone who can't seem to find their way out of fantasy world needs to have their head examined. The blame shouldn't lie with the movies they watch or the books they read, they just need to grow up.

In addition, Disney is not the only company producing fairytales. Nearly every romantic comedy and chick flick out there portrays at least some aspect of the swept-off-your-feet-by-an-incredibly-grand-romantic-gesture scenario. These films are entertainment, not a basis for life. I have never met anyone who uses Disney men or Ryan Gosling's character from The Notebook as a comparison for every guy they date, but I would certainly feel very sorry for any woman who does. Sure, flowers and jewelry are great, but I'll take my husband unloading the dishwasher or sweeping the floor over those things any day.