It's not been a good week for Disney princesses. First, Keira Knightley revealed that she doesn't allow her three-year-old daughter to watch classic animated films such as Cinderella. She explained that this is because the eponymous heroine is just waiting around to be rescued by a man. "Rescue yourself," she tells her little girl.
If that wasn’t enough, Kristen Bell said that she uses the moment when Snow White is kissed by the prince while sleeping to explain the importance of consent. That is only right. You can’t just go around randomly kissing people who are unconscious.
Of course, there was much indignation at the views of both women, with plenty of voices chiming in to say that these are "just fairytales". It seems that people don't want to believe that the stories many of us grew up with hold such negative messages for girls today.
Stories tell us about the world. And the ones we learn as children are embedded deep into our psyches. But the time for tales where women are defined and valued by their physical characteristics is over.
And there is a far bigger point that both Knightley and Bell have missed in their indignation: that the stories of Cinderella and Snow White are – much like many aspects of modern society – obsessed with women's physical appearance. That's not how we should be bringing up our children in 2018.
Beauty is the defining characteristic of almost every Disney heroine. Upon it rests her happily ever after. Cinderella's Prince Charming can't fall in love with her unless she is dressed in finery and glass slippers. In Snow White, the wicked stepmother asks the mirror: "Who is the fairest of them all?", her status threatened by her stepdaughter's good looks.
Every evil woman is hideous and deformed in some way. In telling these stories to our children, we reinforce the idea that beautiful people are inherently good and unattractive people are bad. This places pressure on young girls to live up to unattainable ideals of femininity. It also affects the attitudes that boys have towards the opposite sex.
Worst of it all, it inextricably links a woman's worth to the way she looks and shows physical perfection to be the only route to success.
Even famous women from history have beauty woven into their myths as a way to explain their power and accomplishments.
In the commonly accepted story of Cleopatra, the ancient Egyptian queen's captivating appearance is presented as her greatest asset when dealing with the all-powerful Roman empire.
This is despite many contemporary reports expressing that she possessed far more in the way of intellect and strategic expertise than she did in looks.
For centuries, we have been unable to envisage a successful woman who is not physically alluring. So, how do we put a stop to this, once and for all?
It’s not just about the films that girls watch or the stories they read. Many of the solutions start at home. Parents should be on their guard against society’s tendency to compliment girls for being pretty but boys for being smart and avoid dressing their daughters in pink frilly skirts while their sons get to climb trees in tee shirts with cars and dinosaurs on them.
___________________________
Read more from Shelina Janmohamed:
From Congress to cosplay, women are shattering stereotypes
Do beauty contests go far enough in empowering women?
Jacinda Ardern is a model for all working mothers
___________________________
It is possible to create strong female characters, whose worth is not based solely on the way they look. As a teenager, I recall being taken aback reading Charlotte Bronte's idea behind the central character in her novel Jane Eyre. Bronte said that Jane was written to be "a heroine as plain and as small as myself".
In doing so, she challenged stereotypes of women and showed that readers could could fall in love with a heroine who was not conventionally beautiful.
Jane Eyre was published in 1847. Now, more than 170 years later, it is shocking to think how little society has progressed. We don't need nostalgia for a world of pretty princesses.
Instead, we need stories about women who are strong, capable, funny and smart, regardless of how they look.
Shelina Janmohamed is the author of Love in a Headscarf and Generation M: Young Muslims Changing the World
__________________
Get stories like this on in your inbox each morning. Sign up for our daily newsletter here
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
