I, not so long ago used to work at a Dollar General store. Although the pay was very much beneath someone with an Associates degree, it was some of the most fun I’ve had at a job, thanks to my coworkers. I started, and finished, as a stock man (hey we all do what we gotta do, right?). I used to put out stock in all sections of the store from toilet paper to food to my all time favorite: toys.
At some point while I was putting out merchandise in the ‘girls toys’ section at one of the stores in our district, I noticed something about the toys. Something struck me about the dolls. They were all sluts. That’s right. All the dolls were little sluts. There was ‘hip-hop girl’ and ‘skater chick’ and barbie-slut imitations. Pretty soon I just came to know them as slut number one, slut number two, slut number three, etc. These dolls could be seen wearing short leather skirts, with fishnet stockings, with plastic cleavage showing. Some even resembled the Paris Hilton prototype with handbags, mink coats, earrings and other accessories.
This disturbed me quite a bit as I got to thinking about all the little girls in our country. Is this what they have to play with? Are these who they’re looking up to? These dolls are more than just play toys. They’re images that girls see and will imitate. These dolls reflect images of sluts that are on television every day. They are the overwhelming messages of what girls should look, and act like. But they’re the wrong messages.
Now I’m not a parent, nor will I be for a long time. But if I were one, I would not let my (hypothetical) daughter play with slut toys. It pisses me off when I see a little girl in public wearing short skirts and high heels, short shirts and showing skin and all that. It happens all too often. This could be part of the reason why our nation is so sex-crazed.
The role models that young girls have nowadays suck. There’s drunk slut numbers one, two, three, four and five all in the news, everyday for an hour. And then when they’re done with that, they can watch drunk sluts on reality TV for two more hours. And maybe if they’re dedicated enough, they’ll go in the bathroom and induce vomit a little bit, before bed.
There was actually a South Park episode having to do with this very same issue. Although South Park is quite crude, they do manage to poke fun at many celebrities, and Americans in general. The episode was about Paris Hilton opening up a store in South Park. All the young girls in the eighth grade at South Park Elementary rushed to the store in order to have the latest fashions. They all came home competing to see who could be the biggest slut, and ostracized the ones who couldn’t ‘slut it up’. In the end a homosexual male resident of South Park beat out Paris herself for the ‘biggest slut’ award. I say, if there isn’t already an award for that, there should be one. There are several willing and qualified candidates, who’s lives are in the media, for our entertainment.
So this brings me to an old, unanswered question. Does the media’s output reflect societies demand? Or does society consume whole heartedly what the media puts forth? I think it’s a little bit of both. If females can feel good about being trashy, then why can’t the media exploit this trend to it’s fullest extent? The images are powerful, and they do more than just entertain. They give so many young girls visions of being superstars. Unfortunately, some will end up on Ricky Lake, or Maury Povich or in porn videos.
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I played with those types of dolls when I was a little girl... and I don't remember ever thinking "I want to dress like them!" Ever.
Barbie (and those slutty dollar store dolls) have a good personality; Barbie is Doctor, Teacher, Mother, Veterinarian... she's a positive role model.
It isn't the way dolls and celebrities dress... it is their attitude. Bratz Dollz are bad role models because they're little b-words. Barbie is a good role model because she's a strong woman. Even if she does wear a bikini to the mall.
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http://progressiveu.org/003838-the-girl-who-cried-rape-or-in-this-case-d...
The problem with Barbie is it feeds in to a societal perception of what beauty is, and young girls are indoctrinated in to it at a very young age. Barbie dolls are so out of proportion that in real life they would not be able to support their body weight, because they have extra long legs, short torso and large head. This misrepresentation of beauty feeds in to eating disorders and self hate, and continues to perpetuate an unhealthy model of what women should be. My 3 year old daughter was talking about how beautiful Barbie is the other day...she doesn't even have one.
If you let her watch Disney Princess movies, she's getting the same image of disproportion and perfection. People who look like Cinderella don't exist in real life, and she keeps getting scrawnier with each sequel.
I know where you're coming from... I'm all for a positive self-image... but I think if people are going to complain about Barbie they need to complain about a lot more things they are exposing their children to as well.
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http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
True. We cam't shirk our duties, make up excuses and blame the media for everything.
I agree that if we are to complain about Barbie then we need to complain about a lot more things as well. What does scrawny mean?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Scrawny... undernourished, "skinny" in a sense... disproportionate.
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http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
There is no legitimate study or even results showing that barbie causing eating disorders. Its the fault of the family. We can't lose our resonsibility and blame it on Barbie to make ourselves feel better. If Barbie causes eating disorders why doesn't everyone have it? The few that do have eating disorders have low self esteem and the parents should have instilled that in them.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
What I said was that Barbie feeds in to a perpetuated standard of beauty. When little girls, or boys (Adonis Complex) can't meet these idealized standards it lowers there self esteem. The perpetuated standard comes from all sorts of places, including the media, toys, family, schoolmates and can be seen everywhere. The fact that there is a higher rate of eating disorders among the affluent is interesting, considering that the rate of plastic surgery among that class continue to rise as well. People trying to reach the unachievable standard. Look up the psychosocial causes of body dismorphic disorder, there is plenty of literature that shows the effects of the influence of mass media on young people. This is one of the major contributing factors. I have also seen this while working with adolescents as a counselor. Third grade girls that assume they are fat and then start talking about how pretty Hannah Montanna is. I do not blame only the media, and I agree that the family has a major role in the social education of the children, but once you have children, you realize very quickly that you have no control over what they learn from their peers. My son has no violent toys and is not allowed to watch tv much at all, and when he does, the shows have no violence, yet when he comes home from school he plays guns and teenage mutant ninja turtles. Neither of these things were accessed at home. My daughter has no barbie, but thinks she is beautiful, a standard perpetuated by society and negatively effecting of body image. There are many articles that back up this premise, unfortunately they are from journals, online and print that I pay for and are useless here. These are quantataive studies that show signigant effects of media on body image-both positive and negative based on hypothesis. Here are at least some titles:
"Self-esteem threat combined with exposure to thin media images leads to body image compensatory self-enhancement, Body Image
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2007, Pages 39-50 "
"The interference effect of men's handling of muscular action figures on a lexical decision task, Body Image
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2006, Pages 375-383" -this speaks to men handling muscular dolls and then completing a self rating scale. from the study discussion: "The results of the current study have implications (a) for those who study the effects of body image in men, (b) for clinical psychologists who see male patients who have body image concerns, and (c) for those men who are constantly exposed to image of the “ideal” male body. Specifically, these results showed that positive words are inhibited, while negative words are not, suggesting that a single process (interference of positive thoughts) may be driving the reasons why men will feel worse about their bodies after viewing muscular stimuli."
I could go on because I deal with this on a daily basis because of my profession, but I don't like overly lengthy responses.
One last point: self esteem is a major factor, but it can not be instilled by family, it is contigent on far too many sources to narrow it down to one single factor.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
You brought up some good points but what you said was absurd. That "families CAN NOT instill self esteem in their children". What? Aren't you a parent? Do you just leave it up to your child to fumble for their identity in the dark and let their peers tell them who they are? The fact that you removed several media sources from the home is good, but if you don't replace that empty space with something, kids will just get the same garbage from school. I am living proof that parents CAN instill self esteem in their children. Kids bullied me, I had TONS of barbie dolls and wathced TONS of tv but never had an eating disorder and BECAUSE my parents continually told me how beautiful I am, that I can acheive anything, to never let myself be judged or shaped by what people think of me I still have a high self esteem and can instill that in other people. That was one point that I had to prove you wrong on.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
What I intended to say is that family is not the ONLY contributing factor to self esteem, and you can not depend on EVERY family to instill self esteem in their children. I am glad you have great parents, but their are a good number of children that don't. In a perfect world, yes parents would add to the creation of self esteem in children, but we don't live in a perfect world. The intention of my response was to indicate that their is a systemic problem with vast amounts of factors effecting outcome. Thus you did not prove me wrong, if something works for one person it does not neccesarily mean it will work for an entire population. That is just science.
Continue to be strong in your identity, but don't use it as a model of what the rest of the world should be. The world can be a very horrible place for a lot of kids and a lot of adults, when you have more life exprerience you will find that out.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Okay. I see your point, and now that you clarified it, it makes sense.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
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I completely agree. Barbie is actually a good role model because in the days when women weren't allowed to work where men worked barbie was the first to be lawyer, dotor, etc. then the amount of women in th workforce increased. But Batz dollas aren't donating anything contributive like that.
Well the way they dress projects their attitude. Princess barbie dresses dainty and is always nice and polite to everyone. Bratz doll is a prostitute with her overdone makeup and her slutty clothes. She has no smile on her face, but instead a permanent facial expression of rebellion. The way they dress make little kids want to dress like them. Clothes display the attitude. That's all a doll can use to show her personality since she can't talk.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I agree and disagree with you on several things in your blog. Coming from a parent with two daughters, I do have strong opinions about the young women who are idolized in the media and by thousands and thousands of tweens and pre-teens. Worst of all is Paris Hilton. I tell my daughter's how much she is hurting inside to be doing the things that she is doing just for the camera's attention. I do believe there are decent young role models out there that girls can look up to. Most of the girls on the disney chanel, for example, are well put together young women in the spotlight who don't overly party, do drugs, or put out an overly sexy image. These are the girls worth idolizing because they show morals and hard-working behaviors that are considered good qualities. About these slut-doll clothes, though, I think you are going a little overboard on. I believe that there comes a time in a young woman's life when she can choose to dress the way she wants (I believe that now, but ask me when my own daughter is 20 and dressing provacative, I may have a different answer.) Most of the dolls' fashions are good, but the young girls playing with them shouldn't be dressing like them. If they are, then the parents should be stopping them from doing so. Being a slut is something you do, not something you wear. Women should be respected no matter what they wear. Being sexy is not a crime. I as a parent hope that I instil good morals in my daughters so they will grow up with a healthy self-image and find a medium between sexy and classy. There are certain reasons why women dress the way they do. Some for the attention, some because they believe they hold men by the balls when they dress 'slutty.' Who's to say they are wrong?
No day but today
-RENT
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Of course its not a crime to young men who enjoy "sexy" in our culture. And those same girls on disney channel who grow up to be your daughters role models become those negative role models like Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens who posed nude, etc.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I agree with you in that there comes a time in their life where girls can decide for themselves how to dress. My issues with it is that 1) many girls are being given this ability at too young an age and, 2) quite often the case, parents don't watch and pay as much attention as they should be to what their children are wearing. It doesn't take much for a eight year old to look to at her dolls and the media for fashion advice and when you don't have parents who are consciencious of this, you end up with kids idolizing people like Paris Hilton.
Also, you say that women should be respected for who they are, not what they wear. Unfortunantly, as even you yourself have noticed, women should be respected, but not always are. The girls with the shortest skirt wins the popularity contest in most junior highs (we're talking 11 and 12 years olds here) and the toys they grow up with and the media they're exposed to have a ton to do with who gives into this pressure and who doesn't.
And, in my opinion, at eleven, twelve and even thirteen years old, girls shouldn't be worried about if they're sexy. It really shouldn't be an issue.
I, as a parent, agree with what you're saying. My wife and daughter have actually fought about what she tries to wear...i.e. small belly shirts and miniskirts that she has outgrown and shouldn't be wearing anymore because they are too short now. My oldest two are step children, and they have step sisters at their dad's house. His girlfriend doesn't moniter what they are wearing (or even how they behave but that's another matter entirely) and she goes over there and see's the slutty trash that they are wearing and think it's cool. But she doesn't get away with that here. It's a parents job to have the final say and make sure that the children know what is expected of them. I don't necessarily agree with you on 12 and 13 years old not worrying about whether they are sexy or not, because most girls that age are going through puberty and the increased hormones in their systems are naturally going to affect their body image and how they veiw theirselves sexually. The thing is their parents should make sure that isn't what they focus their full attention on. Sexuallity is developing and it's important to nuture that so they have a healthy attitude towards sex, but still maintain what's really important...school, sports, friendships, family values, etc.
No day but today
-RENT
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
So true. But look at this generation. They are so much more mature then the previous one. In the first grade kids are passing love notes. What happened to cooties?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I do have a theory on why kids are growing up faster than they should. Information is there at our fingertips, widely spread and widely used by everbody of all ages. Plus there is an overwhelmingly amount of pressure that parents put on each other to have their children be genius' by the time they reach kindergarten. More and more educational toys are being made and less toys...you know toys, you remember. The real toys that were for playtime. Since we push our children to learn more and more at an earlier age, they are. Unfortunately, that means sex as well. Kids are inquisitive and since they are pushed to be informed, they get informed. Media, friends, family...all of which are sources to fill those questions kids are asking earlier and earlier.
I have never failed. I have successfully discovered 10,000 ideas that don't work.
-Thomas Edison
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
You went straight to the ehart of the issue! Goood job!
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I agree with you on this topic because I wouldn't want my daughter to have Britney Spears as her role model after she shaved her hair because I thought she was weird for doing that because what woman shaves her hair to look like a boy, you know?
I know the above paragraph was a little off topic, but I feel the same way that I wouldn't want my daughter to play with those dolls, too.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Britney has lost everything. Her kids, her mind, her husband...I'm surprised she hasn't her career, the way she has been acting suggests that she is soon to be a has been. She should have been a has been years ago when backstreet boys, nsync and spicegirls appeared.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
It's sad, but I have heard alot of people talk about Britney being weird and strange because she shaved her head (or for any of the other obviously strange behavior). I think it's an obvious cry for help. She just wants to be loved and she doesn't know how to deal with it when she's not being adored by everyone around her...her parents, her husband, her kids, and especially the media. She's exhibiting signs of having some serious emotional and mental problems that she needs to deal with. I'm not a fan of Britney Spears as an etertainer, but I feel so bad for Britney, the Britney that she doesn't even know.
I have never failed. I have successfully discovered 10,000 ideas that don't work.
-Thomas Edison
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Britney is ugly. I don't even know why she is famous.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Even ugly people have problems, famous or not. Just because you don't like or think she's ugly, still doesn't take away from the fact that she has serious mental and emotional issues.
I have never failed. I have successfully discovered 10,000 ideas that don't work.
-Thomas Edison
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I agree with you. I wasn't saying that didn't have mental or emotional issues. She is just ugly on top of that. Have you seen her without makeup? I am just confused why the media glorifies her. If not for beauty then for what? SHe is wasted and ugly, why is she popular?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I didn't know kids look up to dolls as role models...
How come we always worry about girls becoming sluts and not boys becoming violent...or even perverts? I understand where you're coming from. That's one of the reasons I stop playing with dolls. I never play with dolls that much anyway. But what about boys' toys? You have plastic guns and other kinds of violent toys. Many boys are being exposed to those "slutty" dolls to. Don't you think this will have an effect on them too?
I just don't want things to seem like girls fall easily into trends because I know guys do too.
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You're right. Boys are easily lead about too. I have a 5 year old brother who has an obsession with "shooting people". When I was his age, it was funny, but after Columbine, Virginia Tech, and a boy I knew accidentally shooting his brother... There is nothing funny about pretending violence. Similarly, I see nothing funny about playing dress-the-slut.
It is hard to blame any single factor as the reason, because they all contribute. It is possible that even natural instincts are part of the problem (although... just because they are natural does not necessarily mean it is right, daddythumpher131. =D )
I appreciate this article a lot. You should send a copy each to Barbie's, Inc. and Bratz Ltd.
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"Smart" is definitely a relative term. I know a great many intelligent people who do a great many unintelligent things.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
WEll, thats how these things happen. Parents brush it off as a game, "they are just boys" but if girls do it then its bad and we stop them. WE tell them "why can't you play quietly with your dolls?" WOuld explain why the majority of such school shooting criminals are male.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Whoa! Totally good point! Why all the commotion about girls who aren't behaving proper and are the "threat" to society when what boys play with is considered normal "boy" stuff? Loved your completely valid point.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I completely agree with you. I work with children alot, and i've seen girls try to imitate their favorite barbie doll and im completely shocked that their parents would even let them outside the way they are dressed! I've seen two and three year olds already starting to wear high heals. Not only is that completely heartbreaking that they are starting so young, but its very very unhealthy. Its shocking, completely shocking.
I'm not sure that dolls turn girls into sluts but I do agree with the demise of role models for young girls. As far as dolls go, I think the main problem is turning the term "Brat," or other derogatory terms, from a bad thing to a good thing - why do we want our little girls to represent themselves as brats or spoiled rotten?
I think it's a multitude of things that turn girls trashy. If a child is exposed all day every day to unrealistic expectations of what female beauty is it's going to warp their mind. Another, and I think bigger, influence on a childs self image is their parent(s). If a parent allows their kid to dress inappropriatly for their age (mini skirts at 8) then that parent is teaching their kid it's okay. Growing up my parents constantly called me fat even though I was a size 6! To this day I still struggle with my body image.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Oh my goodness. I am sorry that your parents were so harsh. Why would any parents want to do that?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I agree with you. Im not sure if all girls who play with dolls think they want to dress or be like them, but the fact that there are inappropriately dressed Barbie dolls aimed for kids at the age when they are so impressionable, is bad. About 13 years ago, Barbies were dressed in stylish clothes, not trashy, and had elegant dresses and it was fun to dress them up to look pretty to go to the Christmas Ball or the park. Now its like, if a girl wants to dress her Barbie up, she'sdressing her up to go to the club or the bar. Parents need to keep track of what their kids are playing with and doing so they can grow up in a clean environment, trash free, with morals.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
So true. But I kinda like the way Barbie dresses. Its the bratz dolls that I am worried about instead. Its a good thing that Barbie dolls aren't just dolls with elegant gowns going to balls waiting for a prince. Barbies shouldn't be just about getting married and having kids, like in the old days. Now adays, Barbie is a femionistic version. She goes wherever she wants and is no longer restricted to the home. She can dress however she wants, and no longer ahs to wear dresses all the time to be Ken's "doll" in a glass case.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Thats true, Barbie has become a more worldy doll. She has RVs and airplanes and lothes for every occasion imaginable. But the Bratz dolls do worry me a lot. They are less dressed and ar ethe epitomy of divas. There is a movie comign out called bratz and from the cocmmercials, it looks like a bunch of spoiled almost teenager girls who think the world revolves around them. Not exactly the message I would like todays youth growing up on, but thats just me.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I would NEVER allow my children to have bratz dolls. I don't want my children to be hoars at 6 and kids with attitude problems. Those bratz dolls are dressed like b*****s and have a prositute appearance. Is that who you want your kids to play with?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I am completely with you, and I AM a parent. I have three young boys though, but hope to have a daughter in the fairly near future. However, I am scared at the same time. I remember growing up, and my toys were completely different! I am only 25 years old, and I did have Barbie dolls, but back then they had normal, conservative outfits. They did not come pregnant or with fish-net stockings and leather mini-skirts! I also had My Little Ponies, regular baby dolls, and strawberry shortcake to name a few. The one thing mentioned then was that Barbie was too perfect, making little girls wish they looked the same way as they grew up. Well, that DID happen. The rate of anorexia and bulimia has increased dramatically, with the celebrities from my generation trying to be skinny with fake boobs and a dark tan (and even blond hair when you're not naturally that way). Now, it's that issue on top of "slutty" outfits and sexual innuendos. SO, with that point in mind, YES little girls do IDOLIZE their toys and favorite "characters". As a parent, you should not expose young children (girls or boys) to inappropriate material, regardless of the fashion trends or popularity results. A local radio station was doing a bit about a frustrated dad. He called in because his wife was allowing their NINE YEAR OLD daughter to dress up as one of the Pussycat Dolls. To be exact, she would be wearing "booty shorts" aka daisy dukes or hot shorts, knee high black stilettos, and a tube top. She'd have on heavy make-up and her hair all done up like a twenty year old. Then, they plan on traipsing around with two other nine year old friends dressed as the whole singing group and trick-or-treating! The mom reasons that she wants to be like her IDOL from her favorite singing group. This is the same group that sings songs with lyrics like "loosen up my buttons babe" and is NOT appropriate for young children. But many parents simply allow it to continue because it's "easier" than telling their child no. "Everyone else does it, it can't be that bad" seems to be a re-occurring statement amongst parents and children alike. I cringe at the thought of my daughter, nine years old, wanting to wear street walker outfits, make-up, and talking about boys sexually (and yes, it does happen now with that age range or even younger!). As a parent, you have a big responsibility, this is true. BUT, the entire nation also has a responsibility. A parent can only keep this information from their child to a certain point. Bring in school, friends, and other influences, and the parental power starts to wane. Parents MUST be strong, but the media and our community as a whole needs to step up too. Don't allow Lindsay Lohan's drama intrigue you, therefore giving her reason to continue (publicity is good no matter what). Don't follow Britney's story of heartbreak and irresponsible behavior, as it just teaches her to continue this in order to receive attention. Maybe we should be more interested in the great things Mandy Moore does, or even Jennifer Anniston, besides their romantic lives. That should be kept private, too. Okay, I've said my piece, but I could honestly go on for awhile. I was just ranting about the same topic this morning at my office. Besides toys, just as a final note, little girls' clothing lines for the most part have mimicked the more mature adult fashions (halters, message tees with "Cutie" or "Hottie", short shorts/skirts). That HAS to stop.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I wasn't aware of the good that Many Moore and Jennifer Aniston do. I guess they don't do much good besides acting cuz if they did, there would be as much publicity about them as about Angelina Jolie.
Also a PREGNANT Barbie doll with leather mini skirt and fishnet stockings...hmmm. never seen that but it would sure be a scary sight, wouldn't it?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
this isn't the first argument i have heard against sexy dolls or how poor role models in the media have such an adverse affect on little girls to be honest i think the those dolls are fun and sexy , i've purchased a brat or two for my lil sister who is eight they are not to be taken so seriously that you feel a young girl upon recieveing one of these dolls would run out to the nearest tattoo parlor.
trust me greater issues existence in a little girls life.
i have a point i would like to make, however i am trying to condense my point so it may not read well. think of this way.
i think the girls in this country are better off with the sexy baby dollas then say young women about a 40 years ago who recieved play pots and pans set insureing they would grow up to serve in the house cooking and cleaning. and tiny vacuum cleaners.
at least these dolls are fun and spunky dolls can show a girl it's okay to express yourself. adults are tainted and want to spin a web of corruption from a doll wearing fishnets. AND NO I DO KNOW WELL ENOUGH THAT YOUNG GIRLS SHOULD NOT DRESS LIKE WHORES.
they're toys
more parents should just chill with their kids then flippin buy then toys anyway
much love peace
Myopia
Just a comment....
It's hard to take you seriously over this issue with a picture like that.
Read the words i write that may help.
Muah!
Peace
Myopia
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Those dolls are made under the cover of allowing girls to "express themselves, be independent," when girls who dress like that aren't respecting themselves and they are thought of as a sex object, like the dolls. Thats not respect.
You have a good point. THe toy market is so sexist. You know how they make tool kits for little boys? Why don't they make it for little girls?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
First let me say that I think the blog was well written by someone who is obviously passionate about this topic. Good job!
But I'm curious as to how old you are and if you have children of your own...it may not have a HUGE impact of the way you see these dolls but I think if you were older or had children of your own you’d think differently. From a parents POV (with an 8yr old daughter BTW) certain things are inappropriate if they can affect the way our children see themselves. Whether it be a pot and pan set or a skanky doll, if these negatively affect the child’s self-perception than it shouldn’t be allowed. I agree that girls can be spunky and proud of themselves but does that mean they HAVE to wear short skirts and makeup? Why cant they wear soccer shorts and mud? Why is it that when people see a woman dressed scantily they assume she is either A) a slut or B) sassy and spunky? I'll tell you why, because modest women don’t bare their mid-sections, classy women know to leave something to the imagination. And we associate the sassy attitude with those clothing because in truth clothes DO make the (wo)man. Tell me one time you walked out of your door in pj's and felt confident enough to take on the world.
Well, boggles the mind. I am only 22 years old and have no children. I work with kids though, because I work in education so I have some experience with them. And plus I was a kid not too long ago.
This is why I agree that the skanky dolls are a no-no. And so young but you work with children? That shows a kind heart. But keep in mind that ANYTHING that has a negitive affect on children should also be put on the list. Many parents think its ok for little boys to play with guns or bow and arrows, it may not lead to the child becoming an aggresive teen or adult but it unless the PARENTS teach the child respect for such items that toy can become a gateway to something worse...
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
No, I don't think that ANYTHING can be a negative impact on children. I think that ANYTHING IN EXCESS can be a negative impact on children. Too much love can be negative if the child is sheltered and not allowed to make mistakes and learn for themselves. Kind of a bad example, but you get the idea.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
That is the stupidest statement anyone has ever made on this website.
Things That Are Proven To Have Negative Impacts On Children:
sexual abuse
access to drugs
access to household materials considered poisonous
not bathing
not getting medical care
receiving "at home" medical care consisting of the parents' prescription medications (yes, I have actually seen this)
emotional abuse
ignoring your child (happens more often than you think)
watching TV constantly (and I mean, more than 5 hrs a day during the week)
not spending time with family
not receiving any form of education
not playing with other children
parents who focus too much on their children, and not enough on themselves
parents who focus too much on themselves, and not enough on their children
pornography before puberty
... the list goes on and on.
Please keep in mind that I said "ANYTHING that has a negative affect on children should also be put on the list...." Not that anything a child comes in contact with can be negative.
I wont allow my daughter to play or wear anything that could cause her to perceive herself as anything other than the child/princess of God, she is. Example, my mother and I recently went on a mini shopping spree for my girl. She has her own sense of style that is contrary to what my mother believes it should be, in any case my mother thought it would be cute to suggest a shirt that says "Its all in the attitude". I told her put it down and walk away. My daughter can be sassy and spunky all she wants but when a shirt she wears suggests she should have an attitude and have everyone think its ok to have a bad a*s attitude, I have to say "No".
And I agree, that would be funny to see some lawyer in fuzzy bunny pj's lol!!
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Hmmm...you seem to be pretty knowledgable on the subject. Which side are you on by the way?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
A. Good point about the pj's
B. Are you talking to me?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
"Tell me one time you walked out of your door in pj's and felt confident enough to take on the world."
Do you remember when they had pj day at school. It started in preschool, and even in high school they would do it for 'spirit week' or some reason or other. Wouldn't it be great if they had some national holiday where you could wear your pjs to work. I could just imagine walking into a lawyers office and everyone would be wearing their night clothes.
Ha, ha, ha....that makes me giggle!!!
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"The bad thing is thinking you know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth because it makes you close-minded and dangerous."
Girls need to know how to cook and clean and stuff. Somebody's gotta do it, LOL!. But seriously, being a slut is not empowering to women. Being a business woman is empowering, being classy is empowering, being a good wife is empowering.
Boys need to know these things too.
I disagree with you. Sexuality is empowering to women. Within reason in public, and however far a woman chooses to take it in private.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I think that Ken is being more empowered because whil he is a good boyfriend/prince/husband Barbie just hoares around.
Yeah, well there is all this pressure for girls to be good wives and moms but not for guys. THey just have to look good. For example, Barbie has kids Barbie has a kitchen, cook sets, etc. What about Ken? I never saw sets for Ken to fix cars, I never saw him with tools,or babysitting kids/. I only see him as a guy who has fun and dates while the girl does all the work. There has to be a balance.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
who defines what a slut is?
it's trashy words like this that make girls and young women ashamed of themselves
along with terms like b*tch, whore, dirty etc.
really though what is the term slut used for any way?
it's not a constructive word is defiling.
the word slut is associated with those things sexual which makes it more a taboo.
however it's a label and a mean word at that. Women should embrace their sexyness and sexuality at a young age if girl feel comfortable about their bodies and themselves they are more likely to grow up as more productive business women. Now i'll admit they should come out with a line of full figured bratz dolls and ethnic bratz dolls and maybe even masters degree bratz dolls but the why they are designed is fine by me.
if there were less perferted adults trying to force their sickly distorted perspectives on little kids toys maybe these girls would be okay.
peace
Myopia
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Interestingly enough, a woman designed Barbie.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Girls today have it rough. Almost from birth they are given this mold to fill of who they should be. Think about it. "Baby girls have pink blankets, boys have blue blankets." Young girls see these images of barbie and the bratz dolls and they're their idols. Barbie is perfect, that's why everyone plays with her, so I want to be like her too. And then it starts a vicious cycle. But the problem is we can never fill Barbie's shoes, because Barbie is just an idea, she's not real. So when they can't look and act exactly like Barbie or as you get older, Paris Hilton, the problems start; bulimia, anorexia, depression, suicide attempts, and low self esteem. People like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are only a persona, not a person. But it's hard to put two and two together to make that revelation.
"The only thing more dangerous than a gun is an idea."
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I want to be like Barbie too! Always have.Never wanted to be a celeb though, they are the less than perfect images
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
I completely agree i just hopy you see that there is a diffrence in the way dolls are and how parents allow there children to be. In the end its up to the parent to put his or her foot down.
I disagree and agree with this.
I'll start with my disagreement first.
First of all, I'm very liberal, so I think anybody has the right to put out anything they want to sell as long as it follows the governments rules and regulations and all that jazz. There's too much censorship in this world for me to handle, and if it comes down to restricting the kind of toys we'll allow our kids to play with, I don't know how I would react to it. It's ridiculous.
But I can agree that these dolls aren't the best role models in the world for kids, but that's what in this generation. Sex sells. Skin is in. We can't really change that unless more positive female role models make it into the tabloids for something good they've accomplished.
And that's rarely ever seen.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Oh , we are not telling the industry not to sell. We are just shocked at parents who don't filter this garbage and actually allow their dolls to fit into these molds.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
No, I agree with you.
She left a lot of repetitive one sentence comments. I noticed it too.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
THESE ARE ALL THE PRODUCTIVE COMMENTS I LEFT>
DOES ALL OF THIS SOUND REPETITIVE TO YOU???????!!!
If you want me to leave, just say so.
There is no legitimate study or even results showing that barbie causing eating disorders. Its the fault of the family. We can't lose our resonsibility and blame it on Barbie to make ourselves feel better. If Barbie causes eating disorders why doesn't everyone have it? The few that do have eating disorders have low self esteem and the parents should have instilled that in them.
You brought up some good points but what you said was absurd. That "families CAN NOT instill self esteem in their children". What? Aren't you a parent? Do you just leave it up to your child to fumble for their identity in the dark and let their peers tell them who they are? The fact that you removed several media sources from the home is good, but if you don't replace that empty space with something, kids will just get the same garbage from school. I am living proof that parents CAN instill self esteem in their children. Kids bullied me, I had TONS of barbie dolls and wathced TONS of tv but never had an eating disorder and BECAUSE my parents continually told me how beautiful I am, that I can acheive anything, to never let myself be judged or shaped by what people think of me I still have a high self esteem and can instill that in other people. That was one point that I had to prove you wrong on.
Of course its not a crime to young men who enjoy "sexy" in our culture. And those same girls on disney channel who grow up to be your daughters role models become those negative role models like Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens who posed nude, etc.
So true. But look at this generation. They are so much more mature then the previous one. In the first grade kids are passing love notes. What happened to cooties?
Britney has lost everything. Her kids, her mind, her husband...I'm surprised she hasn't her career, the way she has been acting suggests that she is soon to be a has been. She should have been a has been years ago when backstreet boys, nsync and spicegirls appeared.
Whoa! Totally good point! Why all the commotion about girls who aren't behaving proper and are the "threat" to society when what boys play with is considered normal "boy" stuff? Loved your completely valid point.
So true. When i was a little girl, I couldn't wait to start wearing high heels and makeup so I just wore my mom's around the house.
I am surprised that parents buy this garbage.
Oh my goodness. I am sorry that your parents were so harsh. Why would any parents want to do that?
So true. But I kinda like the way Barbie dresses. Its the bratz dolls that I am worried about instead. Its a good thing that Barbie dolls aren't just dolls with elegant gowns going to balls waiting for a prince. Barbies shouldn't be just about getting married and having kids, like in the old days. Now adays, Barbie is a femionistic version. She goes wherever she wants and is no longer restricted to the home. She can dress however she wants, and no longer ahs to wear dresses all the time to be Ken's "doll" in a glass case.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
You forgot Janet Jackson.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
What about her?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
yes, i agree to a point. society dictates what it wants to be fed and then they get it spoon fed to them, they cry foul, then they timidly ask for more. repeat, to a point, of course. think janet jackson, and the more or less double standard in that situation. i think america suffers from a lot of the blame game. the problem isn't mine, it's because of ___________ that i did that/said that/etc. and sure, it's in the media, but it's still a lot up to the parents, especially when kids are really young. if you see an 8 year old girl dressed like a 'slut,' that's more on the parents (or lack thereof) than on society. now of course, i'm not saying all 8 year old 'sluts' have horrible parents and i'm not saying all perfect parents won't have a little 'slut' either.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Ooooh. Good one. Everyone raved about Janet jackson, but they sure enjoyed her little performance! People complain about things only because it makes them feel righteous and justified. THey still want to do the "bad things"/
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Snoopyloopy, you're the only one that has begun to touch on my question. Does the media influence our behavior, or does it just reflect our desires and behavior patterns?
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Media presents something to make us thing they are reflecting our behavior, but they are the ones inventing and presenting so they offer the choices (making us think we choice) when they are actually influencing us.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
The thing that really annoyed me about Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's performance is Janet is the one that took all the heat for the incident. What a double standard the media had on that situation. Justin was there, he performed, he rehearsed the incident, and he's the one that is actually responsible for Janet's boob going astray, but everyone still blamed Janet and drug her through the mud. How sexist and double standard can our society be when the woman takes the fall for the fault of both of them. That influences us as well, the way media is represented. They serve us a portion of the situation and we eat it up. I still think that people can make up their own minds and decide who they are going to be and how they are going to dress and not blame it on the media.
I have never failed. I have successfully discovered 10,000 ideas that don't work.
-Thomas Edison
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Wait, Justin did it? Yeah, why didn't he take the heat?
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^