We often talk about how the princess trope teaches girls that they need to be docile, unambitious, unidimensional, rescued or controlled by men. But what did those same movies teach young boys? We act surprised when grown men don’t understand consent when the most iconic and popular stories send very mixed messages about it. Whether it’s Sleeping Beauty or Snow White, the takeaway is that you don’t need permission. Consent is assumed, not affirmed. In fact, not getting consent doesn’t make you the villain; it makes you the hero. The guy who does it doesn’t assault the girl; that’s how he saves
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