Comments on: Bratz, Barbies, and Mommies’ little girls http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/ I used to be in the middle, but they keep moving the line! Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:59:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Stacy-Lynn http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-68593 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:51:34 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-68593 yeah im only 10yrs and all,but i have about 5 kidz bratz. i love them! i love them!!!!!!!!!!!! i need dana cloe and others. my question id ... are they going to make boy kidz bratz? i sure do hope so!!!! yeah im only 10yrs and all,but i have about 5 kidz bratz. i love them! i love them!!!!!!!!!!!! i need dana cloe and others. my question id … are they going to make boy kidz bratz? i sure do hope so!!!!

]]> by: CLG http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57382 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:57:19 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57382 Where are these girls that like Bratz? In my experience (as mother to an almost-9 year old, and a Brownie troop leader), people give Bratz as presents to young girls, largely because they fall right within the "birthday present price point." But I've never known any girls who actually play with them. In our neighborhood, it's all American Girl, all the time. Actually, now it seems to be All Webkinz, All The Time, which I despise <strong>far</strong> more than any Bratz dolls. Where are these girls that like Bratz? In my experience (as mother to an almost-9 year old, and a Brownie troop leader), people give Bratz as presents to young girls, largely because they fall right within the “birthday present price point.” But I’ve never known any girls who actually play with them. In our neighborhood, it’s all American Girl, all the time.

Actually, now it seems to be All Webkinz, All The Time, which I despise far more than any Bratz dolls.

]]> by: Polimom http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57378 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:47:15 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57378 <blockquote>So its advertising and media that makes girls focus on looks. All this time I thought that’s just the way girls were.</blockquote> HAHAHAHAHAHA. (oops -- sorry -- it slipped out) OK... more seriously -- the APA's focus in their report was sexualization, which isn't the same thing, by definition, as wanting to look good (although they do both relate to self-esteem). And FWIW -- I asked AC about Bratz last night, because she's never liked them and I wondered why. She tells me it's because they're totally unrealistic -- cartoonish, even. And Ed -- yes, that's exactly right. Adults are projecting a much different interpretation. Sometimes, of course, there's a damaged little kid acting out something they have seen (or that has been done to them), but the source won't be a doll.

So its advertising and media that makes girls focus on looks. All this time I thought that’s just the way girls were.

HAHAHAHAHAHA. (oops — sorry — it slipped out)

OK… more seriously — the APA’s focus in their report was sexualization, which isn’t the same thing, by definition, as wanting to look good (although they do both relate to self-esteem).

And FWIW — I asked AC about Bratz last night, because she’s never liked them and I wondered why. She tells me it’s because they’re totally unrealistic — cartoonish, even.

And Ed — yes, that’s exactly right. Adults are projecting a much different interpretation. Sometimes, of course, there’s a damaged little kid acting out something they have seen (or that has been done to them), but the source won’t be a doll.

]]> by: Ed T. http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57372 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:49:48 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57372 <blockquote>One cannot view kids through an adult prism — whether it’s clothes, or discovering your pre-school-aged daughter kissing a playmate. Kids will always try to emulate their elders, but that doesn’t carry the same emotional or cognitive implication. We tend to over-react to such things, and in so doing, transmit very unhealthy messages.</blockquote> Maybe <em>that</em> explains the rash of "sexual harassment" charges being levelled against kindergarteners for "inappropriate kissing" on the playground ;-) ~EdT.

One cannot view kids through an adult prism — whether it’s clothes, or discovering your pre-school-aged daughter kissing a playmate. Kids will always try to emulate their elders, but that doesn’t carry the same emotional or cognitive implication. We tend to over-react to such things, and in so doing, transmit very unhealthy messages.

Maybe that explains the rash of “sexual harassment” charges being levelled against kindergarteners for “inappropriate kissing” on the playground ;-)

~EdT.

]]> by: Jack http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57367 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 06:17:03 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57367 So its advertising and media that makes girls focus on looks. All this time I thought that's just the way girls were. So its advertising and media that makes girls focus on looks. All this time I thought that’s just the way girls were.

]]> by: machine http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57361 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:27:26 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57361 My 11-year-old niece confirms ChristeS' impression of Bratz plotlines as being based in empowerment and the occasional outrageousness. Not altogether a bad message for girls, seems like. As to the report's bagging on miniskirts, fishnet stockings and feather boas: Couldn't they have waited until *after* Mardi Gras? I'm just sayin'.... My 11-year-old niece confirms ChristeS’ impression of Bratz plotlines as being based in empowerment and the occasional outrageousness. Not altogether a bad message for girls, seems like.

As to the report’s bagging on miniskirts, fishnet stockings and feather boas: Couldn’t they have waited until *after* Mardi Gras? I’m just sayin’….

]]> by: ChristieS http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57342 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:51:32 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57342 My own daughter loves the Bratz. And we've seen all the movies. (gag) The overwhelming theme of the movies is that the "girls" can do anything they set their minds on, if they work at it. They really did a pretty good job, even making sure that the characters told each other that they were "smart, intelligent, talented", etc... Nothing overtly sexualized that I saw. But I'm not an expert. I'm only a mom of an almost-10 year old girl, who grew up myself in the 60's and 70's. My own daughter loves the Bratz. And we’ve seen all the movies. (gag) The overwhelming theme of the movies is that the “girls” can do anything they set their minds on, if they work at it. They really did a pretty good job, even making sure that the characters told each other that they were “smart, intelligent, talented”, etc… Nothing overtly sexualized that I saw. But I’m not an expert. I’m only a mom of an almost-10 year old girl, who grew up myself in the 60’s and 70’s.

]]> by: The Moderate Voice » Blog Archive » Mommy’s little girl http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57341 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:35:08 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57341 [...] More here. Posted on February 20, 2007 | Permalink | Categories Uncategorized, Parenting, Sexuality | | View blog reactions &#187 [...] […] More here. Posted on February 20, 2007 | Permalink | Categories Uncategorized, Parenting, Sexuality | | View blog reactions &#187 […]

]]> by: Polimom http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57340 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:23:28 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57340 Nothing, absolutely nothing, has more impact on kids than flesh and blood role models. You're right that those are two of the main points in the post. There's another, though: One cannot view kids through an adult prism -- whether it's clothes, or discovering your pre-school-aged daughter kissing a playmate. Kids will always try to emulate their elders, but that doesn't carry the same emotional or cognitive implication. We tend to over-react to such things, and in so doing, transmit very unhealthy messages. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has more impact on kids than flesh and blood role models. You’re right that those are two of the main points in the post.

There’s another, though: One cannot view kids through an adult prism — whether it’s clothes, or discovering your pre-school-aged daughter kissing a playmate. Kids will always try to emulate their elders, but that doesn’t carry the same emotional or cognitive implication. We tend to over-react to such things, and in so doing, transmit very unhealthy messages.

]]> by: Ed T. http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57333 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:58:12 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2007/02/20/bratz-barbies-and-mommies-little-girls/#comment-57333 BTW, I happen to agree with what I think is a significant point you are trying to make (actually, two of them): 1) Real-life role models are much more influencial on our children (and us) than some inanimate piece of plastic and cloth. 2) The only way to counter these influences (the only one that has any chance of success, that is) is for parents to parent - discuss these topics (painful and embarassing as they may be) with your children, and set a decent example yourself. ~EdT. BTW, I happen to agree with what I think is a significant point you are trying to make (actually, two of them):

1) Real-life role models are much more influencial on our children (and us) than some inanimate piece of plastic and cloth.

2) The only way to counter these influences (the only one that has any chance of success, that is) is for parents to parent - discuss these topics (painful and embarassing as they may be) with your children, and set a decent example yourself.

~EdT.

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