I remember hearing a radio commentary about this new obsession with Disney Princesses. I am going to leave that topic alone. Part of the commentary though noted that girls seem to love horses and dolphins in addition to princesses. It's true. Not across the board, but my daughters both love "My Little Pony" and dolphins, and the Girl Scouts I work with seem to like horses as well.
This is my theory. Now, bare in mind that I do not have any sort of psychological background, but it seems to ring true.
Dolphins and horses (and the related unicorns) embody both power and beauty at the same time. Girls are often given the message that it is important to be pretty, something not entirely within their control. They are also often given the message that seeking or having power is not feminine and therefore detracts from beauty. These animals are strong and yet maintain their beauty.
A reading of Rosalind Wiseman's Queen Bees and Wannabes had me thinking about what the ideal woman is. The picture fluctuates when seen through the lens of potential mates, parents, children, and friends. The elusive characteristic of "femininity" does seem to be always part of the picture. Women are supposed to be beautiful and often "sexy" is desired. They are to be in control of their emotions and, for some, able to manipulate the emotions of others. This seems to be society's idea of power in women: deception and manipulation.
I think that we should pay attention to horses and dolphins though. Girls are drawn to them because they embody the characteristics many girls wish to see in themselves. If we pay attention, we can allow girls to redefine what it is to be feminine in a way that is neither demeaning nor scandalous.
Friendliness
In describing horses or dolphins, girls will often talk about how friendly the animals are. Dolphins seem to have a grin permanently plastered on their faces. Honest cheerfulness in others inspires positive feelings and a desire to be social. Friendliness encourages us to let our guards down and enjoy ourselves. Yet as adults, especially in the working world, too much smiling, laughing, or chatting is seen as not taking the work seriously. Girls are drawn to animals that allow them to feel happy without guilt, without the sense of loss of duty.
These are social creatures that seek out and respond to interaction. Horses in particular invite touch. Physical touch among men is somewhat taboo, but many women and girls find embraces and cuddles stress relieving and spiritually rebuilding. It is a way of connecting with others to ground oneself, to assure that you are in the same place. Yet as women are encouraged to take their place as equals among men, they are often encouraged to adopt more masculine social interactions, which removes touch beyond the firm handshake from non-intimate relationships. A horse will encourage pats, strokes, and gentle squeezes when many humans will not.
Girls will often describe how they can tell a beloved animal anything. This role as a confidant is important. Many girls work out struggles verbally. They need to be able to say things aloud in order to hear how they sound and decide if they believe them. Like trying on clothes at a store, they may try on an idea and decide that it doesn't fit. Animals will not repeat these words to others or frame them in the wrong context. Because girls are often taught that their power is in manipulation through the use of information and feelings, they are easily lured into gossip and breaking of confidences. Yet girls seem to recognize that an ideal friend is loyal and responsive.
Of course dogs can also be quite friendly, so this is not the extent of the appeal.
Power
Who doesn't love power? Girls are no exception. Strength means independence, freedom, courage, speed, and the admiration of others. As gentle and loving as horses may be, they are among the strongest animals that work closely with humans. We describe engines of cars and even planes in terms of "horse power". Horses have power that works with, not against, the needs of humans.
Dolphins too are quite powerful. Their ability to launch themselves in the air and their agility in the water are renowned. Yet for all of this strength and power, these creatures are no less beautiful. Girls may be given the message that if they pursue athletics too vigorously, particularly sports that will build muscle, that they will be less attractive to boys. This ability of horses and dolphins to remain both strong and beautiful can seem almost mystical when theses characteristics seem to be mutually exclusive for women. Yet if we look closely, it is the strength and power that inspire the admiration of the physical form. Dolphins are submerged and the only way we can admire their form is when they use their power to appear above the surface. Horses are bred for their stature and musculature. The image of a horse running at top speed with its main blowing in the wind is one of the most appealing ways to envision a horse.
With this strength comes the power of self-determination. Even horses kept in captivity are given large fields in which to roam and graze. Dolphins migrate around the world. These are animals that cannot be kept in a box or a cage. How appealing it must be to any child to have the ability to choose your path and to be strong enough and brave enough to take that path with confidence.
Non-violence
For as much strength as horses and dolphins have, they are not typically violent creatures. Sharks are every bit as strong as dolphins, yet we do not fear dolphins biting us. Unlike deer, moose, elk, and even goats, horses do not have horns for fighting with. While both horses and dolphins can defend themselves, they do not display their power through violence. How appealing for a young lady, the idea that she does not have to fight, hit, scratch, or hurt to be powerful!
Service
It seems logical that anyone or anything that serves us would inspire us to like it. When my washing machine works well, it saves me a great deal of time and energy, so I am glad I have it. Yet I don't have posters of appliances all over my walls. Horses and dolphins are both animals that help humans. Horses in particular are quite useful. But perception is everything. Their interactions with people may make it seem that they have the desire to be helpful. While my washing machine must run when I turn it on, a horse is so powerful, surely it only helps me if it wants to, right? Whether or not this is in fact true, horses respond to the slightest of prompts for the purpose of helping humans without the constant need for reward. Dolphins on the other hand have been known to spontaneously help humans. Many are the stories of people, particularly children, rescued at sea by dolphins. These animals were not trained or rewarded. They were not whipped or led by reins. The point here is that these animals appear to help us of their own free will. Their eagerness to serve is admired by men and girls alike. While sometimes the desire to help others is admired among humans, within the working culture, ambition is more often rewarded. It is not just the CEO who gains admiration, but also those who have a drive, a strong desire to get ahead. All others are deemed "lazy." In dolphins and horses, girls can find a creature who is admired not for its dissatisfaction for where it is, but rather its desire to help others succeed.
Companionship
For all of these non-masculine characteristics (beauty, cheerfulness, service), men admire horses. In westerns the horse is seen as the faithful companion of the rider. No, they are not seen as equals, it is true, but they are not condescended to as other animals are. Men will talk to, touch, work with, and thank a horse. Men respect horses. If a man can respect an animal that is so different from himself, surely he can respect a human as an equal even if she does not embody the same characteristics as a man. Surely women should not have to choose between being feminine and being equal.
So if little girls could tell women what it is to be feminine, which characteristics they would most like to embody as adults, they might very well put beauty at the top of the list like the rest of society. But I believe they also would want to be respected for (not in spite of) their strength, courage, friendliness, loyalty, cheerfulness, independence, and service. We should stop telling girls to act more like men and encourage them to be the wonderful things they already desire to be. A company with employees that are empowered to work creatively and independently for the good of the company and the good of society can be just as successful as a company that encourages competition and ambition. We should encourage girls to seek out ways to express their power without violence, either physical or emotional. Girls should know that it is okay to feel deeply, and that this does not make them weak. In fact they can use this as a reservoir of power, a way to fuel passion that will give strength. We should tell girls that their power lies not in manipulation but in their ability to use their strength in ways that are honest and true to their natures.
