A study has found that 1 in 5 parents is choosing not to read traditional fairy tales to their children, in favor of "modern books" like the Mr. Men series or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

 

First of all, I feel obliged to point out that the study was performed in conjunction with the arrival of the US television series "Grimm" to British shores. So I'm sure it is SUPER SCIENTIFIC YOU GUYS.

 

Second of all, the study specifies "children under five." I don't have kids, but I'm pretty sure we can agree that you can probably find better fare for a toddler than stories about murder, kidnapping, poison, treachery, deceit, and an unrealistic expectation of womanhood.

 

That being said - this news story has really touched a chord with a lot of people in both the UK and the United States. You know what? Fairy tales are scary! We don't often acknowledge this fact, but it's true. 1 in 3 parents surveyed reported that "Little Red Riding Hood" had left their children in tears. I think we can all recall a little frisson of fear at the thought of Little Red Riding Hood, a small girl walking alone and defenseless in the forest, heading towards the house where her grandmother's killer lies in wait for her. 

 

The fact that her grandmother is later restored to life by virtue of being cut out of the wolf's stomach is cold comfort indeed. Most readers, I believe, strongly suspect that this is a "feel good" ending, tacked on to placate parental advocacy groups. We all know that the world doesn't really work that way, and that once you're eaten by the wolf, you're dead. (Although oddly enough, many of us are utterly prepared to accept the premise of a sentient wolf which disguises itself as its last victim in order to lure its next victim closer.)

 

Even if you "Disney-fy" these old stories, they still remain intact in the world, they still retain their power. I imagine a lot of people are intrigued to read the real original version of stories like Rumplestiltskin or Snow White, only to be horrified at all the ugly bits that Disney airbrushed out. 

 

I don't think these old tales are in too much danger of dying out. But just in case, if you have a child over the age of five, or if you have never read them yourself, how about giving them a good read? (But you might want to do it by daylight, instead of waiting for bedtime!)