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Fairy Tales Were Originally Meant To Advise Children, But Do They Still Today?

Fairy tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood could help children develop better emotional intelligence and STEM skills.

By Monica Cull
Oct 28, 2022 4:00 PM
Little Red Riding Hood
(Credit:WaffelBoo/Shutterstock)

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People have been telling fairy tales long before there was a literary record. Some, according to the BBC, date back to the Bronze Age. And most fairy tales aren't about fairies.

Many stories, like Little Red Riding Hood, often served as cautionary tales for children. However, as time progressed and fairy tales went through “Disneyfication,” which is the simplification of something real or unsettling, many were altered, and their meanings changed.

Through a modern, critical lens, many fairy tale retellings seem to be out of touch with contemporary society. Because of this, many parents may not want to expose their children to these stories. A new study, however, may say otherwise.

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