One paragraph really stuck out for me:

"Her argument is wholly dependent on a Blank Slate model of psychology, in which children - and indeed adults - are socially constructed, powerless to shape their lives, mere automata following patterns of behaviour and even thought laid down by commercial conglomerates, the conservative state, the patriarchy, or whoever. It might as well be David Icke's cosmic lizards."

That, sums up the short-sightedness of Penny's argument. It seems almost fascistic towards women and young girls, like they are a bunch of esteem-less saps who must be shielded from so called 'corruptive influences' in order not to turn into a 'princess or pornstar'.

I don't know what girls Penny fraternises with, but most I have do indeed have the ability to think for themselves. The idea that girls who play with tiaras will be corrupted is so short-sighted and reactionary it's almost laughable.

Girls play with dolls and wish to be princesses, big deal. I was into 3 things when I was a child; action man, toy guns and wrestling. I am yet to serve a single day in the armed forces and neither have I ever even so much as held a real gun. I realise this is a slightly facetious point, but the basic tenet is that we don't have to shit a brick every-time we see a child look up to an influence that we may or may not agree with. Have faith in young girls that as they grow, they will learn to think for themselves. In other words; chill out. We're all allowed a childhood.