All (Latin) American Princesses

Perhaps it's because the US is a republic that so many American girls foster a princess fantasy. Here's a country with no monarchy nor experience of one - it's a clean slate for dreams. I guess US girls' fantasy is pure, untainted by tabloid exposure. And, their national history doesn't reach back to the fantastical glory days of chivalrous knights of old. So, the princess bubble is never burst - or besmirched by fact and reality.




Nowhere in America is the princess fantasy more prevalent - or more readily acted out than amongst Hispanic 15 year olds. Yes, the poorest ethnic group in the US harbour the grandest fantasy. What's more they spend vast amounts living it. In a ceremony called Quinceañera, every 15 year old can be a princess for a day, or two.

Their families spend vast amounts (more than they can afford) on a dress that looks like a nightmare wedding meringue and a party that would rival a wedding reception. Here they present their daughters to the world, while said daughters clutch their last doll (yes, the dolls wear meringues too) and sob tears of joy. So has become the new tradition of the 15th birthday party.

It's not clear where this 'tradition' comes from. What's clear is how it has been commercially exploited. Families often spend money that could have been better used on educating the poor girl. It's a conspicuous show of wealth, for families who actually aren't very wealthy at all.

It's surely ridiculous, but you've got to feel sorry for the poor fathers. Over here, most fathers have kittens at the cost of their daughter's wedding. And, few daughters actually expect Daddy to foot the whole bill these days. But, in the US thousands of daddies are faced with funding the dream Quinceañera, before they're little girl's even left high school. Worst still, they must anticipate a wedding to follow soon after. You see, the whole object of Quinceañera is to market his young lady as attractive marriageable goods!