Bratz Dolls? - Page 3

[lilmiss'mama]

I would ask the mom first. I personally dislike the Bratz dolls; the whole name is a turn off. Don't like barbies either, but I think I'd rather see my girls with barbies than bratz. My older daughter just got barbies from a distant relative and doesn't even play with them. She likes her groovy girl and more traditional looking babies. I too have a problem with the teenage look being marketed to small children. Has anyone ever seen the documentary Killing Us Softly? It's about the media and women and it is disturbing.

[Minky]

I probably wouldn't buy a Bratz doll for a child other than my own unless I knew that child had them already. I don't personally like them but don't see the harm. It's not about the toy, it's about how the child uses the toy. If my DD wanted to dress like a Bratz, I think we'd have to have a chat about the difference between a toy and reality.

[momma2mingbu]

I will NEVER allow these dolls in my home. It looks like a streetwalker.

[momma2mingbu]

ROTFL...no the Bratz feet aren't stuck in tip toe position - THEY COME OFF - that's right, you don't change the doll's shoes, you change her FEET. If that isn't creepy, then I don't know what is! (My older nieces were into these for a while.)

[1xmom]

After reading this thread, I'm glad my dd is striving to have her own library and only wants books .

She does have some barbies but doesn't play with them anymore. They were gifts from people and she went through a short phase of playing w/them. She's ever mentioned Bratz dolls and I am glad b/c I would probably have a hard time buying one if she did. Personally, I don't like the way they look either.

[MrsMoe]

Since a pervious poster seemed to dig around to find a Bratz doll with black boots and a short black skirt here are some super cute Bratz dolls:


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

And like I said, the ones my daughter has, the clothes are perfectly "acceptable." But IMO, my family isnt' Amish, and therefore, clothes are clothes, and when she is a teenager and she wears a short skirt and some lipstick, I'm not going to wig out on her and call her a hooker either.

[Nature]

nak yup yup

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by Brinley

I bought one for my niece. I thought it looked like a funky punk sort of Barbie doll. My niece's bedroom is already filled with ultra-frilly pink princess stuff and almost all of her dolls have blond hair even though my niece has dark hair so I thought this would make a cool present.

Anyhow, I mentioned it to a friend of mine who told me that Bratz are controversial and that people think they encourage young girls to act trashy or whatever . . . well, the doll is wearing makeup but other than that I don't see the big to do . . .

My SIL already thinks I'm nuts. I don't want to be a horrible aunt. Maybe I should return this thing.

Anyone else seen these?

Yeah...With all due respect, Brinley, I hate those dolls personally and believe that they tend to encourage early sexualization in young girls. You're free to disagree, of course, and I expect we may have different opinions, but the reason I think so is that they look like teeny little Angelina Jolies, but without the noses. (I guess Kate Moss is busy using them...) Big boobs, bee-stung lips, low-cut clothing, clingy low-riding jeans...I just think that it sends a message that "This is what I'm supposed to look like" to a little girl, or even worse, "I am only valuable if I look like this." FWIW, I'm not wild about Barbie for the same reasons. Again, nothing personal -- just my opinions.

[Charles Baudelaire]

[QUOTE=lab]Hate 'em

They send the absolute wrong message to all girls. IMHO

The cool thing is, my dd hates them too. She says they scare her with their heads! She's 10.5

Here is a brat doll. Just love the Oh La La name!!?!?!

Kumi?

Sounds like a great name.
If you're a porn star.

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

Since a pervious poster seemed to dig around to find a Bratz doll with black boots and a short black skirt here are some super cute Bratz dolls:


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

And like I said, the ones my daughter has, the clothes are perfectly "acceptable." But IMO, my family isnt' Amish, and therefore, clothes are clothes, and when she is a teenager and she wears a short skirt and some lipstick, I'm not going to wig out on her and call her a hooker either.

Mrs. Moe, I have a feeling we're just going to have to agree to disagree about this -- I found the clothing sexualized and immodest. The shirt was cut low and it was a belly shirt to boot, the pants were clingy and low-cut, and the doll's very prominent Tammy Faye Bakker-like makeup and puffy lips, big breasts, and micro-waist (plus the first one's pose as a rock star) communicate to little girls the message that "You're supposed to look like this."

In other words, women, you're here to entertain, to be an object of people's gazes, to be looked at. You're of value only if your sexuality is emphasized to the point of self-parody.

Moreover, Mrs. Mom, I believe you are falsely polarizing the argument -- what's called "creating a false dichotomy." The false dichotomy you are creating is that either you're in favor of Bratz dolls or you're Amish. Frankly, there is room for many more options than two. Speaking just for myself here, the Amish option's looking pretty good by contrast. Image

[tara]

I feel compelled to add that I don't like the idea that adult women (or teen women) who want to wear skimpy clothing or makeup are considered streetwalkers and tramps. I have no problems with sexuality and my dislike of these dolls is not about discomfort with sexualized images, really. If I had a teen daughter who wanted to dress like a Bratz doll, I might talk with her about it but I wouldn't forbid it. But a little girl... Basically, I'm not big on modesty as some kind of moral high ground, but I feel like girls need to know all of their options re: sexuality and gender roles. And since the culture at large is sure to share the idea that Bratz-style femininity is valued, I feel compelled to spend my energies sharing the other choices.

[*Devon*]

OK, I have not read any of the replies here but I just have to say:

It is weird as hell that their feet come off.

[MrsMoe]

Originally Posted by Charles Baudelaire

Mrs. Moe, I have a feeling we're just going to have to agree to disagree about this -- I found the clothing sexualized and immodest. The shirt was cut low and it was a belly shirt to boot, the pants were clingy and low-cut, and the doll's very prominent Tammy Faye Bakker-like makeup and puffy lips, big breasts, and micro-waist (plus the first one's pose as a rock star) communicate to little girls the message that "You're supposed to look like this."

In other words, women, you're here to entertain, to be an object of people's gazes, to be looked at. You're of value only if your sexuality is emphasized to the point of self-parody.

Moreover, Mrs. Mom, I believe you are falsely polarizing the argument -- what's called "creating a false dichotomy." The false dichotomy you are creating is that either you're in favor of Bratz dolls or you're Amish. Frankly, there is room for many more options than two. Speaking just for myself here, the Amish option's looking pretty good by contrast. Image

I love to wear make-up, my daughter has VERY big lips, I have huge breasts, and when I loose this weight (I just had a baby) I have a very tiny waist, and I like to wear trendy clothes. My daughter wears clothes made of glitter and satin, and so on. Does anyof the above make either of us look like hookers? I think not.

Also... if there is anybody my daughter will idolize and try to immitate, it will be me.

[bobica]

As the mom of a going-on-3 year old, I appreciate a head's up/question about *any* gift the gifter is considering as potentially controversial. Yes, i have some control issues but i'm comfortable with that. We all love to give gifts, especially ones that are well received & get a big reaction to. but, everyone has their own version of acceptable and not for their own homes. if i am going to stand by my decision to be a barney-free zone or whatever it may be, i will very much respect a decision of that type by someone else.

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by tara

I feel compelled to add that I don't like the idea that adult women (or teen women) who want to wear skimpy clothing or makeup are considered streetwalkers and tramps.

It's not nice, to be sure. However, what we have here is a basic situation in which the vast majority of "streetwalkers and tramps" characteristically dress in a manner calculated to expose or accentuate their bodies' sexual characteristics. Whereas there might be the occasional streetwalker or tramp who dresses herself like this, , I have a feeling that they are not characteristic of most tramps and streetwalkers. If a woman chooses to dress in a similar manner (i.e., to expose or accentuate her body's sexual characteristics), then like it or not, the comparison will be made. It's not nice, as I said, and it's not accurate (in the sense that I am assuming the woman who dresses like a tramp or streetwalker is neither one), but that unfortunately is the reality. If I dress in black and white and snap some wings and a yellow bill on my face, I'm not going to actually be a penguin, but I will tend to resemble one, KWIM?

[oldermamato5]

Those dolls irritate the he** out of me. :

[tara]

Well, Charles, you have a choice not to look at people that simplistically. Up to you. Personally, I think women have a right to express their sexuality without being called tramps and whores. A miniskirt does not a sex worker make. Besides, I have no judgement for women in the sex industry.

[mommaduck]

Can't stand BRATZ. JMHO. And definately can't stand the name (I hated being called a military "BRAT" so much that I changed it to military misfit...since we just don't "fit" anywhere).

However, I REALLY liked those Groovy dolls...they were cute and not over the top.

BTW, I think it's a really good idea to discuss with the parents ahead of gift buying.

[AntoninBeGonin]

Originally Posted by devonc

OK, I have not read any of the replies here but I just have to say:

It is weird as hell that their feet come off.

:

[UnschoolnMa]

I kinda like her Nice pants! And the only skin you can see on this one is her face, arms and neck. So clearly Bratz can be found that are dressed to more conservative tastes if that's your thing. She's cute too

What bothers me far more than what a doll might or might not be wearing is teaching kids to call people names/assume bad things based on their attire.