Children’s stories are often based on some truth. Taking the classic characters of “Alice in Wonderland” to modern day influences, is it a wonder that many girls are receiving mixed messages of not only where they came from but where they are suppose to be going.

White rabbit, mad hatter, queen of hearts, the Cheshire cat, and others are known by other names but are very real influencers, directly or indirectly, in a girl’s life. Family, peers, work, the various media reflect what the “ideal woman” should be.

Alice, like all girls, growing up and coming of age, gets turned around and tugged at in many directions, and expected to handle it with the grace and elegance of a delicate flower. And how many girls do you really know are that delicate flower.

Yes, you can have it all while recognizing that you need to be comfortable and true to yourself and that you don’t have to be the “ideal woman” for anyone else but yourself.

Miyoko Agesawa