Are horror films having a feminist crisis? (PolicyMic): 

“There are overwhelmingly archetypal women in horror films — two kinds especially: the vulnerable damsel, often murdered by a killer or corrupted by a bigger, badder villain. Then there are the dangerous, often hyper-sexualized monsters that seek out and take advantage of or kill others, usually men. These characters aren’t fair or complex representations of women. Rather, they limit female characters to their most static stereotypes and define them either by the trauma of violence or pretty damning cultural stereotypes. When we’re gripped by these films, it’s hard to recognize these characters as possibly problematic. But they are problematic because complex, real-women characters are still so sparse when it comes to mainstream cinema.”

Lori Duron’s son C.J. is going to be Alice, of Alice In Wonderland, for Halloween. More specifically, he will be Tim Burton’s Alice because, at nearly seven years-old, he’s starting to outgrow his infatuation with the leading ladies of Disney.

Two years ago, Lori took C.J. to the store to pick out a costume for that year’s Halloween. He chose Frankie Stein, the 15-year-old daughter of Frankenstein: 

“If you wear a girl’s costume, some people may ask you questions or wonder why you’re dressed like a girl,“ says Lori.

“I know. I don’t care. It’s okay, my costume is the awesomest,” C.J. replied.

But Lori’s parenting attitudes have changed since that time:

"It saddened me to think that one day my son might want a ‘boy’s costume’ to avoid negativity, stares, and judgment from other people. For years, I wanted him to want a boy’s costume, but now I dread the day, feeling like it will represent a loss of innocence. 

Would this be the year that he sacrifices his heart’s desire to avoid dealing with naysayers, homophobes, and people without manners? No, but he’s learned to be careful.

Although he decided weeks ago to be Tim Burton’s Alice, he will continue to tell the kids at school that he hasn’t yet decided on a costume. He’ll tell them that until October 31 and beyond. His personal evolution has taken him to a place of self-protection and next year I expect that to be the same. But I do not expect that he will wear a boy costume."