Bratz Dolls Harmful?

Sexualised images in the media are psychologically damaging young girls and corrupting childhood, according to a group of psychologists.
The report says that virtually all media forms are promoting inappropriate images of products such as toys and clothing that are harmful to girls’ self image and healthy development.
It specifically criticises Bratz dolls, which come dressed in miniskirts and fishnet stockings and outsell Barbie dolls in Britain by two to one. Asda has been condemned for marketing black lacy underwear to nine-year-olds.

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) report says that marketing companies take advantage of youngsters’ desire for affection and the need to conform, leading to eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. Academics believe that the influence and attitudes of parents, siblings, and friends can also add to the pressures of sexualisation.

Eileen Zurbriggen, the APA’s chairman, said: “The consequences of the sexualisation of girls in media are likely to be a negative influence on girls’ healthy development. We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualisation has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development.” The report says that parents can play a role in contributing to the sexualisation of their daughters or can play a protective and educative role.
~ “The London Times”

I would like to address something I have been faced with, the ever growing sex symbol of the five year old. As parents we struggle with the fine balance of not wanting to completely shelter our children, to wanting to give them the most positive of role models, and influences. Personally when my daughter was younger, like 2 or 3, I decided I would not buy her barbies for a long time. I bought her Groovy Girls, (which is a “hip”, yet flat chested, no curves, plush doll) to play with. Then she suddenly began getting Barbies from family and friends from everywhere. I could not control it without being ugly. Finally, I conceded to the Barbies, and she now has the car, the house, and plenty of boyfriends.

Then they came out with the Bratz doll. This is where I had to draw the line. I was very clear with Emily why I did not like them. They show her an image of sexy that I never want her to look like. I mean come on, even as a teenager she will not be allowed to wear such clothing as these dolls do, much less as much makeup, and yet she would have these as her role models at five!

The other day my five year old comes home from church upset because the “ring leader” child in her class told her if she did not bring makeup to church for them to play with she could not play with them. She was very upset, because she knew I would not let her have real makeup. I had to have a conversation with my five year old that anyone that demands this is not a good friend, and you need to find friends who do not require that you give them something to be their friend. This little girl was the daughter of one of the sweetest women, which I love. Yet I don’t even know if I want my child hanging out with her because of the influence this little girl brings. Did I mention these girls are FIVE , not Fifteen?!

I know lots of parents, which I adore personally, who buy their kids these dolls, and other things I will not let my daughter have, watch, or play with. I do not think they are bad parents, I assume they do not see the harm in it. I have been put in awkward positions with parents to have to say we do not agree with having these dolls. I have had to tell my family that I do not let my daughter wear bikinis. (Why? Because if it is ok at five, six, and ten, to them it is ok at 15. While I know many wear them and see no harm, I again am stressing that modesty is important. As an adult to make that choice is fine with me, I have seen very decent and modest 2 pieces. However, as the above article said, this is an immature age, learning sexual identity and how to get affection and attention; they do not understand the lines of healthy attention and affection. Everything is being soaked in and absorbed, and the more I allow now the more she will demand and see as acceptable later.) For me, I figure this is just a small dose of learning, and teaching my children, that “What is popular is not always right, and what is right, is not always popular.”