BRATZ Dolls: Not Such A Good Role Model...

[LDebagoria]

I don't have any children yet, but if I did I wouldn't buy these dolls for my little girl.
These dolls are supposed to be in middle school, but they wear TONS of makeup, midriff tops and skintight jeans/pants, go on "secret dates" with these boy dolls who have convertibles (wouldn't that mean they're dating dudes who're WAY older than them?) and they have a "Party Pad." These dolls are obviously made to look seductive, but they're marketed as "popular," "stylish," or "attitude," yet they're amazingly popular with girls who're like in third to SIXTH grade??
They're an AWFUL example of what women should be, and it's frightening what self-image problems these may bestow upon young girls.
Perhaps I'm reading too far into this, but even when I was growing up I wasn't allowed to wear makeup and nail polish, let alone midriff tops and thangs! And the "secret date" older boyfriends? What in the world?
What do those of you with children think? Or even those without?

 

[ThickHair]

There was an article in my local Sunday paper about how sexualize these dolls are. I never really look at them in that way since I do not have a child BUT I can see how they can be look upon like that.

I have always thought that the parents should be the number #1 role model in a childs life but so many children are lacking good parents and look to other influences.

 

[webby]

These dolls are disgusting. My neice begged for one Christmas before last, I didn't know what they were at the time. I looked them up at Amazon and was like "whoa...put the brakes on." Right after that a news segment came on about the provocative dolls

The dolls are dressed like young hookers. I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone who has purchased these dolls, but that's what they look like to me and I REFUSED to buy one for her. I was so angry with her mom, because she said, "hahah...yeah, she really wants one of those dolls." She didn't find anything wrong with it

 

[Tami]

They do look like some Gang girls ..

 

[Ayeshia]

Barbie is the same way if you think into it....IMO she is the most sexualized of any dolls out there. Think about it...wait were her and Ken married or just dating?.

Personally I dont believe in spending any money on dolls like that...waste of money. The doll will be a has been within a month and then there will be another doll to her liking. Of course children don't look that far into it, which is why they never understand half the time.

I suggest American Girl dolls once they get a lil bit older . I got one when I was 12 and I still have her. They cost a pretty penny but I learned sooo much form that Comapny.


But I personally think that if a plastic doll negatively infulences a child to a certain point then the parenting needs to be checked at the door and reevaluated.

 

[Sweet C]

My little cousin is seven and has a few of these dolls and I just didn't understand why they were so popular. When I was growing up, I had a ton of Barbies and when I played with my Barbies, Ken had his little convertible to come pick Barbie up in (basically Ken was homeless w a convertible till I decided to let them have a wedding...LOL). When I asked her what about a Barbie, she told me her head was too small and she wouldn't be able to give her cute hairstyles like she would a Bratz doll. I have learned something here though. I didn't know those dolls were suppose to be in middle school having "secret dates". That is a bit disturbing to me. But I don't think my lil cousin sees it as no more than a cute doll that she can play dress up with. But I clearly see the sexy implications that comes with such dolls, therefore she won't get a Bratz doll from me. By the way, why are those dolls so high? For the same price of a Bratz doll, I can get a low-end Barbie collectible.

 

[Honeyhips]

I didn't realize they were for such young girls.


Ayeshia you look gorgeous in your pic.

 

[LDebagoria]

Barbie is the same way if you think into it....IMO she is the most sexualized of any dolls out there. Think about it...wait were her and Ken married or just dating?.

Personally I dont believe in spending any money on dolls like that...waste of money. The doll will be a has been within a month and then there will be another doll to her liking. Of course children don't look that far into it, which is why they never understand half the time.

I suggest American Girl dolls once they get a lil bit older . I got one when I was 12 and I still have her. They cost a pretty penny but I learned sooo much form that Comapny.


But I personally think that if a plastic doll negatively infulences a child to a certain point then the parenting needs to be checked at the door and reevaluated.

Barbie was supposed to be grown. She was a fashion model, not a pre-teen.

 

[Ayeshia]

Barbie was supposed to be grown. She was a fashion model, not a pre-teen.

well should children be playing with adult simulated toys then? I mean Barbie has the breast, Ken has the package....and I know Im not the only one here but we know what we did with the toys when Barbie and Ken were living together. And no Im not being funny.

 

[Honeyhips]

I was going to say the same thing. I've beent hinking that I will not let my daughter play with barbies either.

well should children be playing with adult simulated toys then? I mean Barbie has the breast, Ken has the package....and I know Im not the only one here but we know what we did with the toys when Barbie and Ken were living together. And no Im not being funny.

 

[LookieLoo]

I suggest American Girl dolls once they get a lil bit older . I got one when I was 12 and I still have her. They cost a pretty penny but I learned sooo much form that Comapny.

I had an American Girl too! This was back when there weren't any non-white dolls in the line, so my mother bought me "Molly" because she wore glasses (like i did) and wore braids (like i did). I loved the heck out of that doll. I had plenty of Barbies too, but I never loved them like I loved Molly.

 

[LookieLoo]

In every culture in the world, children play adult role-playing games. In a society where they need hunting skills, for instance, the children will play "pretend" hunting when they're little. This is one of the ways children learn what it means to be an adult. When I was little I was fascinated with my grandmother's baking, so my mom bought me child-size pretend kitchen; I loved it and I still love baking to this day.

So my point is... what exactly are kids learning about their possibilities by playing with Bratz dolls? I'll tell you what -- they're learning to be surly (look at their facial expressions ... even the name "bratz" ... to say nothing of the misspelling of brats), vain, and materialistic. At least Barbie has various jobs (i think there was even a president barbie); the Bratz don't do a damn thing except stand around looking like they want to kick someone's butt, wear expensive clothes, and hang out with their boyfriends.

 

[webby]

So my point is... what exactly are kids learning about their possibilities by playing with a Bratz doll? I'll tell you what -- they're learning to be surly (look at their facial expressions), vain, and materialistic. At least Barbie has various jobs (i think there was even a president barbie); the Bratz don't do a damn thing except stand around looking like they want to kick someone's butt, wearing expensive clothes, and haninging out with their boyfriends.

Exactly! Well said.

 

[Honeyhips]

I think you all are giving barbie to much praise. You can make her kiss and have sex with Ken. You can be concerned with getting her the best clothes, biggest house and car.

Kids pretending to hunt and bake are different than making dolls do what I suggested above.

 

[qtgirl]

How do you know these dolls are supposed to be in middle school? IMO, dolls shouldn't be role models for children, their parents should. I don't have any problem with anyone not buying a certain type of doll for their children if they feel strongly against it. I don't want my child having white dolls because I want them to see the beauty in ppl. of color and while not only will I be showing her that beauty I want it enforced by the things she plays with as well.

 

[amy1234]

my opinion might sound a bit off,but the reality is that there are many young girls that have to deal with all kinds of peer pressure such as fitting in, and being accepted , so I can understand why these dolls are so popular because, they reflect on some of the standards that young girls face in their world/social surroundings whether it be from school or from their daily intake of mtv or bet.

 

[NYKittin]

I had an American Girl too back when you could only get them from the mail order catalogue. Now they have a doll grooming salon in NYC. I had "Samantha" because she had bangs and her dress resembled my school uniform.

These are good, respectable dolls for girls.

 

[LDebagoria]

I had an American Girl too back when you could only get them from the mail order catalogue. Now they have a doll grooming salon in NYC. I had "Samantha" because she had bangs and her dress resembled my school uniform.

These are good, respectable dolls for girls.

I have Addy and everything that child could have! I also had Molly, but I didn't take very good care of her...

 

[TJD3]

Bratz, Bratz babies, bratz cats, Barbie, Myscene, all of them are way too much!

Have you ever heard the Myscene doll theme song? "Its HIS scene, its My scene!" Meaning I guess since its his scene, she's there, garbage!

 

[UmSumayyah]

Don't do Bratz or Barbie either.
This lady I know asked me could she buy a bratz doll for my kid. I was like, exsqueeze me? You DO know who you're talking to, right?
My daughter has a Razanne doll and when she gets a little older I plan on getting her some of the American Girl dolls.

 

[mahoganee]

I bought one for my neighbors little girl about 3 or 4 years ago and I don't remember it looking like a ho. I wouldn't have bought it if it did. I got her one that had different outfits and makeup and that's what she had fun doing. Changing the clothes and putting makeup on it just like you would do with a barbie doll. I don't go down the doll aisle much since I don't have a daughter and I only have one niece by one of my stepsisters still young enough to be into dolls so I don't know what they look like now. I didn't know that they were supposed to be in that age range. I think that it depends on the parenting and what type of home environment that child is growing up in because my sisters and I played with barbies and we never even thought to be like that ourselves when were acting out our "scenes" . We'd get our a$$es beat! I had friends who wore makeup at a young age and acted older than what they really were and I was amazed. Shoot I couldn't even wear nail polish until I was about 15 years old or so. I used to rub red crayons on my nails when I was in the 3rd and 4th grade to give my nails a "polished look".
You know this reminds me of the Baby Alive doll . One of my cousins had one of those and it did everything that a real baby would do. Years later when other dolls similar to this came out there was a controversy over whether or not these dolls were teaching kids to become young mothers. Maybe it's a sign of the times? I always ask the parent about a gift for their child when I have doubts about it.

 

[Eiano]

Well... no doll should be a role model and parents should use their discretion.