Babies to Bratz in 0.2 seconds
As I perused through the toy section in search of a doll to give as a gift to a 7-year old girl, I ran across the Bratz line again. Now I know these dolls have been around for years but with having two boys I’m more familiar with Tonka trucks, G.I. Joes and cowboys. So I was re-astonished at these horrid little debutantes. I remember when this line was first introduced I thought they’d be pulled from the shelves in a matter of weeks. I mean who would buy these miniature plastic prostitutes for their little girls?!? Apparently a lot more people than I imagined. Do you know how difficult it was finding an appropriate looking doll?
We’re constantly reading headlines concerning the rise of teenage pregnancies and stories of girls talking to men over the Internet and meeting at hotels. Mothers are baffled and experts don’t understand what’s going on. Why are girls so interested in sexual behavior at such young ages? Why, Why, Why?
Umm…hello? I’m no expert by any means, especially because I don’t have a daughter, but does anyone see what’s going on here?
This past weekend we were on vacation and I seen an advertisement (on the Family Channel, go figure) for a new series called The Secret Life of an American Teenager. It’s about a 15-year old girl who ends up pregnant. Now I don’t care what producers say the message really is, all I know is that it is appalling that they are making unwed, underage, little girls stars for getting pregnant. Regardless of the message they are trying to send to teenage girls, whatever is on television becomes cool. Is society truly this dysfunctional? Mothers are telling their daughters it’s okay to be pregnant? Please don’t tell me that the mother is just trying to be supportive because she can be supportive and still disapprove. I mean she wasn’t even upset!
Now I realize this equation is comprised of more than just these few factors, but this situation is getting way out of hand and it’s because we, as a society, tolerate everything. There is a saying, “what one generation tolerates is made acceptable for the next.” I’m not sure who the genius that said this was but it is so true! We tolerate everything nowadays under the false pre-tense of love for each other or because we’re minding our own business. C’mon people wake up! We’re not judging anyone by saying these dolls are inexcusable or that shows like this should be taken off the air. We’re standing up for morals and teaching our children self-respect, which I believe is totally absent in today’s generation.
So yea, I was pretty annoyed by these little whatever-you-wanna-call-em dolls. They even have a line for toddlers! We’re teaching them from young that dressing more-than-a-little inappropriate and wearing more make-up than a Hollywood hooker is acceptable.
Could someone please clue me in on what in the world is going on? What’s next? And please don’t bring Barbie into this because that is so different! I’m not a huge Barbie fan anyway, but at least Barbie was married (forget the fact that a few years ago she and Ken divorced...she got the dreamhouse of course) and her face wasn’t completely covered in makeup and she has respectable outfits as an option to her scanty ones. Fine, I admit she was built a little more…. mature than she should have been but there is still no comparison to the dolls available today.
I truly commend companies that promote healthy, age-appropriate dolls like American Girl and the Only Hearts Club (sold at Target). Mothers need to support companies like this that are trying to teach their daughters modesty and discretion rather than companies that produce these Bratz that teach their daughters to be exactly that.
So I have one thing to say to you three Bratz present here today, you will never be invited to my house for a playdate (so there)! Oh and by the way, Miss Blondie (which I'm sure is so not natural) in the middle there, I know you’re like only pushing 10 but JFYI your lip liner is supposed to like match your lipstick…Ugh!
