My fourth graders have been hard at work composing 500 words on their favorite activities. They range from kickball and golf to watching 5 consecutive episodes of Sponge Bob Square Pants on TV.
Clearly, I work with a very dynamic group of children.
Interestingly though, I had several girls writing about their love of horses and horseback-riding, which is why it was so serendipitous to hear the following talk on NPR on my way home from work today: Why do girls love horses, unicorns and dolphins?
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m an NPR junkie. If I had a nickel for every time I started a sentence with the phrase “I was listening to this thing on NPR…”, but I promise that this time it’s entirely relevant.
I was a 12 year old girl once, I remember my “I-need-my-bedroom-plastered-in-horse-posters” phase. There wasn’t a notebook in my possession that wasn’t splattered with Lisa Frank’s finest unicorns. My girl scout leader was all but forced by an eleven-year-old-girl mob to take our to a ranch to go horseback riding. The connection between little girls and horses is real and it is deep.
Which is why I found this article so utterly fascinating. I’d never stopped to ponder why this connection existed. The idea that these animals are representative of strength, power and opportunity makes so much sense. When a little girl dreams about strong animals, she’s not forcing herself into a role. She’s not confined to dreaming of princessdom, being a mommy or other things little girls are “supposed” to desire. A horse, unicorn, or dolphin gives a little girl an opportunity to imagine life as a cowgirl, a fairy or an oceanographer. It opens up a wide world of possibilities and allows their imaginations to run wild. Which is exactly what little girls should be allowed to do.
So, find that little girl inside you. Don’t stop dreaming that you can be the world’s first astronaut/teacher/mommy/princess… simultaneously. And encourage all the little girls you know to do the same.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
As a long time horse enthusiast who comes from a horsey family, there’s a lot to be talked about when it comes to horses and feminism. Aside from horses’ incredible strength and power, equestrian sports have, for a long time, been dominated by women. The great thing about equestrian sports is that is values strength, poise, beauty, and grace, while also requiring INTENSELY rigorous (and often times dirty) behind the scenes work. I found a lot of my work ethic and sense of self worth growing up on a farm.
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hahahahahahahahaha.
hahahahahahahahaha.
that’s all. i love it.
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This is so interesting. I never went through the “horse phase” as a kid, but I definitely understand its appeal so much more now. NPR RULES!
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