When I was growing up, the Disney princesses were the shiz.

I mean, let's face it. They wore pretty dresses, rocked some serious vocal cords, often talked to cute animals and had great hair. Oh, and they always ended up with a hottie at the end of the story. What's not to want?

As I grew up, I slowly learned that life is sadly not as it is depicted in Disney cartoons. My hair will not always be stunning and Prince Charming doesn't always step in to save the day. In spite of these harsh realities, however, I still love to watch the movies that defined my childhood.

Just last week I was reading on Time's Web site when I came across an article on Disney controversies. Now, most people are familiar with the supposed drug references laced throughout "Alice in Wonderland" and the, um, appendages that are allegedly manifested in King Triton's castle in "The Little Mermaid," but I tend to take the hearsay with a grain of salt.

One of the controversies listed in the article, however, was on the Disney princesses. Whaaaaat.

Now I harbor some pretty feminist tendencies, so to a certain extent I can definitely understand some of the arguments against the princesses. Yes, they do not necessarily portray realistic body images; yes they sometimes played the damsel in distress. But I can honestly say that these characters did not force me into thinking I should grow up to be something I'm not.

The article in Time cites Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as the three most prominent princesses, who also happen to play up the role of being damsels in distress. Yes, there is an element of struggle involved, their movies would have no plot if there was no conflict. But didn't each of these women take fate into her own hands?

Snow White escaped death and lost the life she knew, only to have to start over by living with a bunch of strange men (which is terrifying in itself). Cinderella busted butt to make it to the ball so she could have a chance at life free from her evil stepmother. And Sleeping Beauty was more or less in the fairy tale version of the Witness Protection Program. Cut a girl some slack.

In addition, there was Ariel, the mermaid who took charge of her own life in order to get what she wanted (and let's not forget that it was Prince Eric who was enraptured by Ursula). Not to mention Belle, the princess known for her intellect as much as her beauty.

Now Disney is introducing a new princess, Tiana. For all of you who have not already seen "The Princess and the Frog," know this. Tiana is a modern-day princess, but she still has to fight for what she wants. The entire movie is an uphill battle, one in which she does not sit around letting a prince solve her problems for her.

Time needs to calm down. We have already heard the children's toy body image theory with Barbie, and frankly, it holds little merit. So what if these women have hardship in their life?

If you're going to criticize Disney movies, there is a whole lot more beyond these arguments. Find something valid and leave the Disney princesses alone.