Bratz - your thoughts?

[the_queen]

I just saw online a new Bratz product (not sure if this is out in Australia yet) to go with the Bratz Babyz line - a tanning bed ..... !!!!! Another product they have is a Bratz Baby that, when she sips the "soda", she gets giggly and hiccups and blows bubbles. http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html/PID/4717290/ctid/17 Yeah, I'm sure thats just "soda"..... :mad: And yet another product is 'Spring Break Bratz' which has the tagline "she's on the prowl, looking for some fun" http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html/PID/4721293/ctid/17/INstock/Y/D/OMG isn't Spring Break just like our Schoolies????? Get wasted, get laid, get an STD????? :mad:

I don't want to shelter Vallerie from the world, I just want to teach her to use her brain and avoid blindly following trends for no reason. But this kind of stuff, marketed to little kids, just makes me want to never let her out of my sight again!!!

Is anyone else as disgusted with this kind of stuff as me??

[fee's]

It's funny how your perceptions on this kind of thing change when you are a parent don't you think. Not that I think I would ever have found the Bratz stuff you posted ok :thumbsdown:
I was having a conversation with my husband about friends of ours who both have 7yr old boys and their different attitudes to TV. One actively encourages their kids to watch the Simpsons so they get some adult time they see it as an harmless cartoon (which I did until speaking to my other friend) the other has never let her sons watch it and simply says well Bart is a naughty little boy, I don't want my son to think that stuff is funny.
My 9mth old gets transfixed by the funny yellow characters on the tv when dad is watching so I need to start making the same kind of decisions soon too.

[shed]

The bratz stuff sounds hideous. Targeted towards developing young minds, brazenly promoting materialism and giving them the wrong impression of what is the ideal for a young woman in regard to appearance and behaviour.

As a 5 year old girl I would probably have thought it was among the coolest things EVER and been desperate to get my hands on it.

But that's how it goes I guess!

I never had a Barbie doll and I am probably more scarred by being the odd one out, not allowed one for no good reason (in my eyes) than by her odd body shape and weird relationship with Ken.

The joys of parenting!!

[sopolicha]

I generally let my girl pick whatever sort of toy or books that she wants if it is on offer. I do have to admit to talking her out of Bratz and My scene. They are just so wrong. Either that or I am old.

[Rell]

I can't stand Bratz:mad:
I was very happy the other day when DD ( 4 next mths) said " Mummy I don't like Bratz their faces look mean"
Not supprising that Bratz are banned in our house

[Ana Gram]

I prefer Bratz dolls over any of the others on the market actually. Mostly because a couple of the lines look like the people DD is around all the time. Big boots, fishnet and mesh and dreads in hairs is what DD is used to.

[Milly]

I have never been a fan of these dolls at all. They perpetuate the 'grow up quick' culture that is surrounding our young children today. I too don't want to shelter my daughter from these sorts of things, but I think that the way we will deal with it is to teach her why they are not approriate and teach her to be discerning rather than blindly follow the pack. That way she can choose a toy with knowledge. She can actively choose a toy and not passively choose a toy.

[mygirls]

I agree totally :yelclap: ...I HATE them dolls they are gross... They are something i would never like aby of my DD's to want & as long as i am able i will steer them to something else...though i guess we could say Barbie is trying to portray women have a size 8 figure with blonde hair is the right way to look...we have some friends who dont buy Barbie because of this ( their DD's are all olive skinned & dark haired etc)... I wont be buying them (Bratz)..

Kristy

[nicoleE]

I think Barbie is kind of in the same league also.

But then so is society so we cant shelter them from it all, but where is the line......

How many of us have seen a little girl who has her best party dress on or tried a bit of makeup for fun and said "oh you look beautiful". That is of course great but we all need to remember we should be saying this when they are wearing their daggy clothes with their hair all messed up also! :)

[Nan]

Hate 'em!

Love,
Nan. xx

[veve]

i just wanted to add four simple words..

hate
hate
hate
hate ...

I am sooo glad I had a boy!!!

xx

[melfunction]

Don't like them. Don't like Barbie either.

Apologies for any offensive comments.

[jarrahsmumma]

Hate them. Barbie is in the same league. What a poor role model for young girls and young boys. :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[Ana Gram]

Once again I get offended. I often wonder if people actually read what I write. Since I have said that some of the lines of Bratz dolls look similiar to my social circle, saying some of the things that people have said in this thread like "skanky-ho", "slags"and workers in the sex industry makes me quite upset.

I very much doubt any of you would call me any of these things to my face but I am fairly certain that if you saw me in the street and I was dressed to go out, you would be saying these things about me.

[bronny-jane]

i love brtaz dolls, i think they look funky, im actually quite drawn to them, and im getting dd some for her birthday, i think dolls are harmless. i have never wanted to look like barbie or be like her when i was young. there's alot worse out there for kids to view than bratz dolls, like rage and video hits, yet how many childdren watch this?

chellegoth i also used to dress like this, until i had kids and live in chocolate covered jeans, and trashed singlet tops:D . whats wrong with having fun with fashion?

[aardvark]

I won't allow DD#2 to have them. I consider them to be in the same basket as The Simpsons - not suitable for children.

She has been given some as party presents, and somehow we have managed to avoid even opening them.

If she pressures me to open them, I might take them up to my mother's holiday house. That way she can play with them - but very infrequently.

[jarrahsmumma]

Sorry Chelle, I had not actually read your post. I respect that as an adult you choose to dress the way you do, and I honestly do not have a problem with that. But seriously, have you seen the Bratz Babyz? :rolleyes: I would not want any of my children wearing that sort of get up. Once they had the maturity to comprehend the *possible* implications of dressing like these dolls then that is fine too. But I find them to be over the top and very precocious, not what children should be. Again, I am sorry to have offended yo, and you will notice I removed the derogotary comments I made. :kiss:

[Maghan]

I generally let my girl pick whatever sort of toy or books that she wants if it is on offer. I do have to admit to talking her out of Bratz and My scene. They are just so wrong. Either that or I am old.

Yes they are wrong, but you are also old. :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: :kiss:

[MammaMia]

Not a fan myself...but I was never a Barbie girl either so I'm probably just suffering from doll-envy.:D

I'm not a big fan of having our little girls or boys grow up any faster than they need too.

Bring on Anne of Green Gables!

[meme]

how interesting:detective:
i can still remember really wanting a barbie and my mum not wanting me to have one probably because of similar stuff, all i knew is i wanted the barbie.
i can so agree. i'm not fond of kids being exposed to 'adult' stuff to quickly, like the simpsons, yet it's watched here in my house. making it banned can just make it so much more attractive. most of the stuff i frown upon goes over my dds heads i hope, occasionally i'll ask her why it's funny and she really seems to have no idea. but i know they're littl sponges.....

i actually love bratz. they are dolls and fun to play with. in fact i love most toys:ecomcity:
anyone who doesn't want their bratz can forward them onto us:D

[reAllytee]

Well im not a fan of them either due to the way we are making our kids grow up so quick etc & they even now market the "tweenies" for this purpose.
But when it comes down to it if i had a daughter & she wanted one well i guess id have to consider it just like if she wanted a barbie.
I grew up with barbie & every few months id go out & buy new outfits or accessories depending on how much pocket money i had saved & i have never gone out wanting to dress like her or even thought i must look like her to be happy.
If my daughter wants to dress in fish nets fine i just have a problem with short skirts that leave nothing hidden or tshirts saying "im available" or the likes that to me is wrong.
Kids dont really pick up on certain things like the idea of promiscuity (sp?) because they dont know what it is ! Its up to us as parents to teach them whats right & whats wrong or acceptable etc.
I remember growing up watching "The Goodies" i loved loved loved them ! Then a few months ago we bought the DVD's sat down on a sunday arvo to watch them & were horrifed ! I think my jaw stayed permanently on the ground from all the innuendos etc. I remember speaking to my mum later saying "I dont remember it being like that its disgusting blah blah blah" & she just laughed saying "Oh yeah it was like that but you were soooo young you had no idea !" & its true !
Just like when explaining to kids about "the birds & the bees" they can only take in what they grasp at the time. So most kids who want these dolls only see them as "pretty" or "cool" nothing more.
So really its up to us as parents to do the right thing by our kids & create good role models or give them the morals we wish them to have a doll or certain types of music doesnt make a child what they are, nuturing & guidance do.

[SassyMummy]

I don't really like Bratz dolls...

I'm sorry if any of my statements coming up offend anyone in the way they choose to dress - I am not suggesting anything about your character, or what type of mother/person you are...it's just what I get from Bratz dolls...You are all grown adults after all, and your personal choices are just that, you're own choices.

I actually think that Bratz dolls look either skanky, or like drag-queens. Have you seen their massive lips and overdone eyeshadow? It's not classy, or pretty or anything...it's just trashy and tarty IMO.

The way they dress and wear their make-up is one thing...but the fact that they don't smile really irks me. They don't look friendly in the least...they look bitter and snotty and I just hate them. Their heads are also unusually large and weird-looking.

As for Barbies, however, I must say that, despite the unrealistic body thing (which, I have to mention, has changed. She now looks more like a post-baby Britney Speares...still unrealistic, but at least she now has a bigger waistline...), she's friendly and generally wholesome.

While there's SpringBreak Bratz, there's Doctor and FairyPrincess Barbie. While the Bratz are getting tans, Barbie is going for a surf with her new lover - Blaine. And not all Barbies are blonde anymore...there's a few proper Barbies out there (not just friends of Barbie) who have darker hair now. And, if you're after a dark-skinned Barbie doll, you just have to grab one of her equally-pretty friends.

Barbie might be a bimbo, might have a perfect body, and might be teaching girls that being vain if fine...but I'd rather my daughter learn that, than learn that dressing like a ***** and scowling all day is fine.

Oh, I might mention that I LOVED Barbies (and can't wait for the day that I can get some for my little girl too!)...and I don't know if they did me any harm. I love shopping and fashion and love having bigger boobs (mostly for the attention I recieve)...but I'm not blonde and I never tried to be like my Barbies.

On a side note, just wondering if anyone else made their Barbies have sex...or was I just an unusually perverted child?

[Baby Girl]

I hate the Bratz dolls - the name says it all as far as I am concerned!! DD1 does not know who or what they are and never will if I have my way!!

I think so many of the toys (and cartoons) these days are inappropriate for young children. Thanks to her dad DD1 is a simpsons fan (which I am learning to live with) but she asksthings about the characters and says to me when, especially, Bart does something naughty - 'he's not supposed to be doing that is he mum?' at least she checks and I tell her no he isn't but it is just a tv show and it isn't real.

[SixtiesChild]

I think that the Bratz dolls are bordering on adult themes and I wonder if children even find them relevant to their play as they seem too grown up.
I think they are potentially a bad influence but then again they're only a doll.
I wasn't going to buy my dd any, but then she recieved one as a birthday present
and it would have been wrong of me to take that away from her. She now has 2 but doesn't seem overly interested in them. DD has said that they have too much make-up on which I think is her own opinion. I don't really like them personally but
I think these dolls are here to stay so my question is: How will Bratz dolls be presented a few decades from now?

[Ana Gram]

So it's less insulting if you add a disclaimer stating you aren't making a judgement on how someone as an adult dresses because it is their choice, yet the words skanky, tarty, trashy and dressing like a drag queen are added now. Can you see how the jump can be made from stating that the dolls look like that and that it teaches little girls to dress like that to basically saying that adults who dress like that are all of those things.

I have had enough of this thread and won't return so you can continue with the insults that aren't directly aimed at me personally yet seem to attack the way I dress.

[KiLLaKaZ]

I hate the Bratz dolls - the name says it all as far as I am concerned!! DD1 does not know who or what they are and never will if I have my way!!


i concur about the name - who wants a 'brat' as a role model for their kid?! having said that i think they're ugly anyway - what's with the HUGE heads?!! i don't have too much problems with how they are dressed (mind you, i'm not ALL that familiar with them) as children usually realise that dolls are dressed differently to ppl (their age, at least!) in RL... with bratz u have to change their whole foot when changing shoes, too, right? i find that just plain WEIRD!!

[Odessa]

While I admit I'm strangely attracted to Bratz dolls (I absolutely LOVE their clothes and hair! But they do look mean), I don't like the themes that they convey to little minds...my 8 year old cousin is Bratz mad and her parents got her the DVD for Christmas...I sat down to watch it with her and I was horrified, all these little dolls are real bimbo airhead characters and prattle on about hair, makeup, boys, and how to get a boy's attention. It's hardly appropriate for children and pre teens...I know I wouldn't want my 8 year old daughter picking up tips for snagging a boyfriend.

Maybe the dolls are fine for some kids, but I don't think the associated material (DVDs etc) are appropriate at all.

Chelle please don't be offended by some of the comments on this thread, it's clear that some people do not consider Bratz dolls to be representative of real life people, and I don't think anyone inferred that the way you dress is "trashy", "tacky" or "tarty"...but I know how easy it is to feel that vibe from their comments. I too dress like this (on weekends when I can be bothered!) and I don't think I look any of those things, either.

[caitsmum]

Darkstar I agree with you very much on the fact that the dolls themselves are OK but perhaps the associated themes of the materials go to far.

As a parent of three girls we do have Bratz, Barbie and My Scene in this house. My girls are 8, 5 and 4. I listen to their games and they are very innocent and often mimic their own lives - school, shops, park, beach ect. As far as I can see as yet they haven't turned my girls into boy chasing, air head bimbos. My 8 year old still thinks boys are "grose". Life should be about moderation. Dolls are not their sole focus in life and they have many other influences that shape them as people.

[jarrahsmumma]

The catchsry on the TV advertising is "Don't theorise, Accesorise" This I have an issue with. Saying to young girls, don't use your brain, but always have a groovy handbag... :thumbsdown:

[diamonds22]

Sassymummy…lol totally a perverted lil girl here too…luv your post.

Team Barbie:)

[vespertine]

I don't like Bratz dolls myself- the amount of makeup painted on, the synthetic fabrics, the dyed hair,... I don't want this to be seen as beautiful. Children tend to idolise dolls such as Bratz- I wouldn't want mine to strive to be like them at all, that to me shouldn't be the ideal of beauty and trendiness. Wearing all that makeup and such full-on clothes basically sends the message that it's not ok to just be yourself, that beauty is about what you wear, not who you are as a person.

I don't want my children to think dying their hair is cool (full of harsh chemicals, ruins their hair etc, yuck) or that synthetic, glittery, lacey patent fabrics are cool (they don't allow the skin to breathe) and I don't want them to think makeup is cool (it's bad for the skin, clogs pores and contains bacteria.) But mostly, I just don't want them to feel they have to do all that to get attention.

I realise that when my children are adults they will make up their own minds about what do with ther bodies and how they decorate themselves, but in the meantime, I can try to guide them the best I can to being well rounded, healthy adults. I want to see them confident in their own selves, happy with their appearance, and I want them to have a healthy idea of what beauty is. I want them to feel that their perfect the way they are naturally, and don't need all that bling and accessories to be appreciated.

[caitsmum]

My girls enjoy playing with their dolls - but they don't strive to be just like a Bratz doll. My girls don't only see beauty in material posessions. They can see beauty in a shell at the beach or lying under a big tree on a warm summers day. They are intelligent and well rounded eneough not to be closed minded to the world around them.

[Chickadee]

Having just actually gone and looked at most of the dolls in the Bratz site, I don't have a problem with them. I don't particularly like them and won't volunteer to buy one for Chloe but if she asks for one in a few years or is given one then I'm ok with it. I haven't seen the videos or DVDs so can't comment on those.

Their RockStarz range is cute and the dolls aren't dressed nearly half as bad as what you see in some videos. The Gypsy ones are cute and tasteful, and I like the Sportz ones. Even the "Princess" ones are ok to me.

[the_queen]

The catchsry on the TV advertising is "Don't theorise, Accesorise" This I have an issue with. Saying to young girls, don't use your brain, but always have a groovy handbag... :thumbsdown:

It's demeaning, isn't it.

Anyone remember that Simpsons episode, where Lisa designed a "feminist" doll because the talking Malibu Stacey was saying things like: "Don't ask me, I'm just a girl!" :mad: And to think, back then, it was satirical. It's all come true now.

[Supermum]

I actually quite like the Bratz dolls ... although I was never a 'doll' girl. I scratched Barbie's boobs out on the pavement when given one as a little girl ... but that's another story:o

What I don't understand is - "Do you dislike Bratz because of the black clothing or because of the eye makeup and funky hair?"

Seriously - have you seen the gear that skanky Barbie barely gets around in? Does she get away with it because she is blonde, her accessories match and her lipstick is hot pink vis a vis black?

I'd rather see black lippy and leather than an eye full of cleavage, inches of belly, legs up to the armpits and bits of a behind.

The only issue I personally have is the name Bratz.

[the_queen]

The main issues I personally have with Bratz and Barbie (as well as other similar products that I thankfully haven't been exposed to yet) is that the main focus is on their looks, and on material possessions. Yes, they do have "Dr. Barbie" etc etc but to me that's just Mattel trying (in a quite patronising way IMO) to placate the feminists. I like toys that allow the child's imagination to create the storyline.

My daughter is very very girly. Even without me pushing the stereotypical "girl" stuff on her, she gravitates towards it. She loves clothes, she loves "being stylish". So maybe she will grow up to be a fashion designer, who knows. I just don't want her to think that she has to do something "girly" just because she happens to be a girl. I don't want her to be limited by society's prejudices.

I have tried, Lord knows I have tried to give her feminist ideals and a tomboy attitude. But she is who she is, and I can't change her - nor do I want to. But I have a responsibility to teach her the TRUTH - that is, (to paraphrase Judge Judy) beauty fades, stupid is forever. It's more important to have a big brain than a big bust. It's more valuable to have a high IQ than a huge shoe collection.

My motivation comes from two places: My feminist leanings; and my faith.
I'm raising Vallerie as a Christian, and Jesus' message tells us that it doesn't matter what you look like, it's what's in your heart that matters. When we finally meet God in person, He won't say "oh girlFRIEND, what a wicked jacket - and I am loving that bling!" :rolleyes: He'll be examining our heart to see what kind of person we were throughout our life.
Feminism, to me, means that both genders should respect each other for their similarities and for their differences. Nobody should be looked upon as a "piece of meat" or as nothing more than a "hot body". We should all be judged by our inner character, not our outer shell.





And here endeth the sermon :p

[Supermum]

I understand where you are coming from. Think back to when you were a little girl though ... I'm trying although it was a b1oody long time ago! I wasn't into dolls because I wasn't a girly girl ... but for most little girls, they're not associating the priss and bling of dolls with anti-feminism.

Most of my friends - raised in primarily Christian households loved dolls - especially Barbie:barf: . They are now educated, considerate, successful women and came to the startling realisation that "looks aren't everything" a long time ago!

Your daughter will not be limited by societies prejudices if you continue to instill a strong sense of self, so that she can walk to the beat of her own drum:) .

[Chickadee]

Well said Deb:yelclap:

[zafyrezmummy]

When the bratz dolls first came out i was thrilled cos in myopinion its about time! As far as im concerned the nicest most genuine people ive met have been the "wierd" ones, the different non conforming ones.
And as for titles like 'skanky' etc, why is it ok for barbie to be portray that image? Barbie portrays it a lot more imo. Im sorry im ranting a bit, im just offended by certain opinions, disclaimers or no, because even if you put a disclaimer there, you still think it, you still say it
Its reallysad that people are so ready to judge and condemn those they dont know because of how they look.
Its not the dolls (bratz again) that portray bad image imo, its the way people respond to them. Personally i think bratz look classier than most barbies!
How does a child even know what skanky is unless we, the adults, have instilled this type of judgement in them. Beauty comes in ALL forms, including goth and grunge.This thread seemed to start out about a particular line of toy, um , the tanning bed thing, and the baby that sips soda,(which i didnt like) But it seems to of turned a bit into slandering those who choose to dress different, those of us who have hair and make up and clothing that is different, non conformist.
well, all toy lines do take it too far, that is how media and advertising works, they push the limits. personallyi dont agree with some of the toy accessories, but then society in general is full of this.
Originally i was goin to write that some toys do take it a bit tooo far, but after reading all the posts, im more appalled at the attitude of some of the people than the toy manufacturers.

Oh also, two of my "wierd" friends have a daughter who takes after them in style, and she has a few bratz dolls and it hasn't hurt her in the slightest. And shed rather watch dragonballz than bratz still. And she's one of the nicest friendliest little girls ive met.

[poshBecks]

I dont like Bratz cos, well for starters they are called "bratz" I dont want my little girl to think it's ok to be a brat!! Plus they are ugly!! :laughing:

[bronny-jane]

jomarie:thumbsup: well written i totaly agree, why is it that its women bringing other women down? :(

[natasha]

I actually don't care about the bratz dolls as my lil girl is a proper tom boy!;)

But if I did care, I'd say that if you want to get rid of Bratz, think about all the other things you would want to get rid of aswell for the same reason.

Barbie, Sindy, Ken with his six pack, skimpy midriff tops made for children under 6!!, G strings made for little girls!!! Hipster low cut trousers made for little girls, music videos with near naked women prancing round(especially when the target audience is 6-12 year olds!:mad:

They are all portraying the same image. Sex sells. No matter how old (or young) the buyer is.

I personally think we need a major change in many areas, not just the bratz dolls.:thumbsdown:

[jarrahsmumma]

GO NATASHA!!! :smiliedance: BTW, Barbie started out as a German sex doll for adults. It was adapted to be a childs toy. :thumbsdown:

[Tea Lady]

I'm not that keen on the Bratz dolls, but I'm with Natasha too - there's so much other stuff out there that is really awful for little kids (how disturbing are music videos these days :eek:).

I think the solution is to go and live in the middle of nowhere with no TV or electricity and let my DD can whittle herself a toy out of a piece of wood if she gets bored ;)

[Tam-I-Am]

Do you guys honestly believe that the toys your children play with will impact that greatly on their personalities/morality/belief system. Toys are put into the context that you as a parent place them - if you teach your kids that people that dress like bratz/barbies etc are ugly, skanky, tarty etc - then that's what they'll become in your child's eyes. If you don't place your own judgment on it, but let your child's imagination take effect, then these terms will never have meaning for a child playing with a doll. After all, these terms are all about sexuality - and what others deem to be appropriate expression of sexuality. How does a child know anything about that unless you as a parent place it within that context for them?

Until kids get to a certain age (ie adolescent and up, when sexuality becomes an issue because of physiological development) I don't think that any toy would mean anything other than what that child's imagination tells them it means - and their imagination can only go where their education has taken them!

Just something to think about.

[shed]

GO NATASHA!!! :smiliedance: BTW, Barbie started out as a German sex doll for adults. It was adapted to be a childs toy. :thumbsdown:

Where did you get this information? Just curious.

I went to the Barbie exhibition at Prague Castle and it showed Barbie as starting out as a teenage cartoon in a german newspaper, her name was Lilli. It was syndicated and then Mattel bought the rights to the cartoon and made the doll and renamed her Barbie after the daughter of the lady at Mattel.

Did I miss something?

[the_queen]

Do you guys honestly believe that the toys your children play with will impact that greatly on their personalities/morality/belief system. Toys are put into the context that you as a parent place them - if you teach your kids that people that dress like bratz/barbies etc are ugly, skanky, tarty etc - then that's what they'll become in your child's eyes. If you don't place your own judgment on it, but let your child's imagination take effect, then these terms will never have meaning for a child playing with a doll. After all, these terms are all about sexuality - and what others deem to be appropriate expression of sexuality. How does a child know anything about that unless you as a parent place it within that context for them?

Until kids get to a certain age (ie adolescent and up, when sexuality becomes an issue because of physiological development) I don't think that any toy would mean anything other than what that child's imagination tells them it means - and their imagination can only go where their education has taken them!

Just something to think about.


Talk to us in a few years when you've got a 4 year old who wants to wear her skirt waaay down on her hips "because that's how you wear it" and wants to wear eyeshadow and lip gloss "because I want to be sexy".
I have never encouraged this kind of thing, I've kept what are IMO innappropriate toys out of the house, I've tried to teach her about brains vs beauty, etc etc. But it is everywhere. I can't stop it - I can only try to educate her and be a good role model, and hope that she has the sense to see through this kind of materialism.



I've picked on Bratz, but I agree with Natasha, there's so much **** out there that is not good for kids these days.

And I'm very open-minded and tolerant. And I don't judge people for how they look. I do however want my daughter to look respectable. I don't want her to project an image of "hey I'm easy". I don't want her to think she has to look a certain way to get attention. I can't really explain what I mean, but I just have this mumma-lion reflex which tells me that letting my daughter walk around looking like a **** is not good parenting!!!

[MamaSage]

Shed, I'll PM you a link about it. The site requests not to link it, but I can PM it. ;) Bild Lilli was the original company.
And if anyone is interested, a very politically correct doll for our youngsters to play with http://www.feralcheryl.com.au/meet.html

[heymamma]

Here here Jomarie...couldnt have said it better. onya girl :thumbsup:

[Tam-I-Am]

Queen -

Believe it or not, I have actually been an large and active part of other little girl's lives than just my daughters' so my opinion is not just based on my experience as the mother of a 9 month old, but as the cousin, aunt, friend, sister etc to many other little girls.

Yes I agree, its difficult when a little girl is trying to act older than what her actual chronological age would suggest she should, but my point is this - if you frame her behaviour as sexualised (and no, I'm not being naive - I know children are sexualised) - then this is what her behaviour will be. How does a four-year-old even know what the word sexy means? It isn't a word that should be used around a child of that age, and thus she shouldn't have any understanding of it. If you stop thinking of these dolls as sexualised, and start thinking of them as dressing in a manner that you don't choose to - well, then it becomes much less of an issue than you're making it out to be. Mind you, I absolutely 1000% agree that the accessories ie tanning bed, soda drink etc are COMPLETELY innappropriate, and to be avoided at all costs, same with the videos from what someone else wrote - but a doll's a doll. Unless you make it out to be more.

[Minke]

Just to add my two cents - I bought my DD a baby bratz (the big one) when she was about four. Got it home unpacked it, and she wanted to know what happened to the dolls undies? The doll has a black see-through thong..... That in my opinion is skanky - a doll aimed at small girls without full undies..... I don't know about everyone else but that is something i don't want my daughter wearing. JMO but there will be no more Bratz in my house

[the_queen]

How does a four-year-old even know what the word sexy means? It isn't a word that should be used around a child of that age, and thus she shouldn't have any understanding of it.

I guess mine picked it up from pop music, or from kindy or daycare, or something like that. BELIEVE ME I do not go around saying the word in front of her, and I COMPLETELY AGREE it's not a word that should be used around a child of her age. But I can't wrap her in a coccoon and shelter her from the world. I can't refuse to let her see her Aunty's/cousins/friends just in case one of them uses a word that I don't want her to know. I try to just be a good role model, and IMO that means showing her that I don't think these kinds of dolls are good in any way.

I am not sure what I'm arguing anymore *sigh* You say
a doll's a doll. Unless you make it out to be more. But the manufacturer's of these dolls ARE making them out to be more!!

I guess my point is just that I wish corporations wouldn't market any innapropriate products toward children.

Too tired to be very coherent, hope you understand what I'm saying. What I'm trying to get across is that it's very frustrating trying to be a good parent when it seems that society is against you.

And I didn't mean to sound b*tchy by saying "talk to us in 4 years", I just meant that you will understand more what I mean when you have a 4 yr old daughter. I too have been a cousin, sister, babysitter, friend etc etc etc to many little girls over the years too - but I never realised how this issue made me feel until it was my own little girl at the centre of it.

[Cinta]

Just to add my two cents - I bought my DD a baby bratz (the big one) when she was about four. Got it home unpacked it, and she wanted to know what happened to the dolls undies? The doll has a black see-through thong..... That in my opinion is skanky - a doll aimed at small girls without full undies..... I don't know about everyone else but that is something i don't want my daughter wearing. JMO but there will be no more Bratz in my house

That is just so inappropriate! There a LITTLE GIRLS getting these dolls and they dont even have full undies?! What sort of message is this sending to the young girls...That is ok to wear 'undies' like that and dress like that and that little girls should be stick then have blonde hair and boobs? You may think 'yeh but they dont really pay attention to that'. They are still taking it all in and like what Kelli79 said, her daughter noticed and asked why. Girls are growing up more quickly these days, they start dressing 'skanky' so much earlier and i dont think dolls like bratz etc are helping IMO.

[Mary_T]

I did not really know anything about Bratz dolls before reading this post. I was aware of them but that was about it. There certainly seems to be some fairly grown up Americainised attitudes and influences perpetuated by the makers and marketers of these dolls.

My DD is too young for dolls at the moment and I would not actively encourage her to take up an interest in Bratz dolls, if they are still the in thing when she is a bit older. However I do not think I would ban them, my attitude may change though? I think that the most important thing is to ensure that I discuss and engage in my DD's play so I can guide her and explain things to her as they arise.

My attitudes to parnenting have changed since becoming a parent to what they were previousley and I am learning all of the time. I want my DD to be a well rounded person and not to be too sheltered but also not to be too influenced by what is poplular.

Parenting is hard and I think we try our best to give our children the best in life. I don't think there is any right or wrong decisions about these types of issues and people have to make up their own minds.

I like the idea of DD playing with educational, wholesome toys but I know that I have to be a realist! I think that balance is important and compromise.

Ask me my opinion in a few years time and I may either be rigidly against Bratz or think they are great. Who knows. :ecomcity: I think I am just blabbing.:ecomcity:

[Rainbowbrite]

Parenting is hard and I think we try our best to give our children the best in life. I don't think there is any right or wrong decisions about these types of issues and people have to make up their own minds.

I like the idea of DD playing with educational, wholesome toys but I know that I have to be a realist! I think that balance is important and compromise.

I agree :thumbsup:

MJ has a wide variety of toys (ok too many) ranging from dolls, cars, blocks, cups etc. When she is older, if she wants a bratz doll, she will more than likely get one, same with a Tonka truck.

Bratz in general, no i dont like what they teach/portray, but i do think some are very funky :smiliedance: I love the anime style faces too.

Dolls are dolls to little girls.

[Chickadee]

The doll has a black see-through thong..... That in my opinion is skanky - a doll aimed at small girls without full undies.....

Hmmm. I wear g-strings and thongs and don't hide from my DD when I get dressed. Maybe I should? Never knew I was "skanky" before.

I do realise your concern is that it's a doll aimed at small girls. Part of the doll's appeal is (I"m guessing) that girls play at being grown up via role acting the doll. So I don't see how her style of underwear is inappropriate. Surely it is easy enough to tell a little girl that adults sometimes wear underwear like that, butit's only for adults and not little girls? Maybe I'm naive.

[nicoleE]

i dont think a thong is skanky (hey, im wearing one now!) but it is inappropriate for a little girl... what would you say if your DD asked for a g-string to wear?

Are these dolls characters adults, pre-teens or children though?... i think that is a big part of this.... (i dont know that much about them so i honestly dont know)

From the sounds of the cartoon (from another post) they are school aged children, perhaps pre teen (8+)?

[Chickadee]

what would you say if your DD asked for a g-string to wear?
I would tell her that it is something only made for grown ups. Like coffee, alcohol, cigarettes & high heels.

[Odessa]

So if the doll had accessories like cigarettes or alcohol, would that be acceptable? I don't really like the idea of a child's doll in lingerie. It's not like you can shield these things from children, but presenting them as a toy is a bit strange to me.

[Supermum]

I wear g-strings but I've never thought of them as skanky ... just really inappropriate for a chick with a backside as big as mine:D

[Odessa]

I wear g-strings but I've never thought of them as skanky ... just really inappropriate for a chick with a backside as big as mine:D

:laughing: I can't wear them, it feels like I'm walking around with a perma-wedgie.

I don't think they're skanky either...just not really appropriate for the kiddies, ya know?

[Supermum]

I hear ya DS:thumbsup: . Thanks for laughing at my joke. And my bottom is a joke ... Benny points at it and laughs all the time.:D

[misskittyfantastico]

:laughing: I can't wear them, it feels like I'm walking around with a perma-wedgie.

I don't think they're skanky either...just not really appropriate for the kiddies, ya know?


Oh yes, I'm all for saving our littlies from the dreaded bum floss:D

[Ana Gram]

I said I wasn't coming back to this.....

My DD has one of the Bratz baby dolls whose underwear is attached to the skirt, probably to cut costs. i wear "bum floss" regulary which DD sees. The only thing she does with my g-strings if she gets into my drawer is wear them as a scarf. Plus she has stripped every single one of her toys who wear clothes because "they were hot".

I don't think the clothes themselves are a problem, I think it is the attitude people have about them. If you think people who wear this type of clothing are "skanky" (I have a serious problem with this word), chances are so will your children. When I pick my DD up from school in my usual attire, I certainly don't want to hear from her that the other kids said I look skanky because I will certainly know where the word and the attitude came from.

[Supermum]

Unfortunately chelle - and it's a terribly sad indictment on our society, too many of us judge others by how they look. What's different anyway?

[misskittyfantastico]

Re the bum floss comment...I was not having a go at anyone who wears G-strings, I've always called 'em this and really couldn't care less what someone wears, where they're from or what they do. My family consists of goths, immigrants, people on the dole, Drs, farmers, greenies, aboriginals, Catholic's and atheists.
I love diversity and hope that I can expose my daughter to all kinds of people, cultures and toys
For heaven's sakes what's with this place lately???

[Chickadee]

Darkstar, No, I don't think alcohol or cigarettes would be appropriate accessories for a toy. But I don't think alcohol or cigarettes are quite the same as lingerie. The examples I gave in my earlier post were poor but were all I could think of. High heels would be a better example - not worn by children but nothing wrong with them for adults or for little girls playing at dressing up or as accessories for their dolls.

[shed]

I used to wear G strings when I was in my twenties.

Back before my thighs rubbed together when I walk.

I don't have a point. I was just remembering those days...;)

[Tam-I-Am]

Or Barbie's car for another example - this is something that adults can have/play with but is inappropriate for children. but I wouldn't say that its inappropriate for children to play with a toy car.

If however, my DD asked for a car - my response would be the same as if she asked for a G-string - when you're old enough, honey!

[madvoice]

And that's why I stick to My Little Pony LOL ;)

[CJJHRA]

I dont think I like them, but I would still get my DD one, and see how she goes with it. But shes only two, that might change in time! LOL

[natasha]

Or Barbie's car for another example - this is something that adults can have/play with but is inappropriate for children. but I wouldn't say that its inappropriate for children to play with a toy car.

If however, my DD asked for a car - my response would be the same as if she asked for a G-string - when you're old enough, honey!

The reasons behind the response to both the car and the G string are very different though.

You don't want your child to have a car because they could crash/ seriously hurt themselves, and you could explain this to a child.

You don't want your little girl wearing a little black Gstring because you don't want to sexualise your child, thus making them even more of a temptation for all the sicko's out there. I think you would have a very difficult time explaining this to a 5 year old.

Putting a toy car infront of a child is a very normal thing to do, because children play with toy cars.

Putting a Gstring on a doll is just sexualising a toy that you are letting your 5 year old play with. They are sexualising a toy because it sells, because little girls want to be grown ups.

It's just wrong, and very very sad that many of you condone this type of exploitation of little girls. Let them be kids for God's sake.

[meme]

i'm all for kids being kids. i'm wondering how old everyones kids are when they are playing with bratz? my dd1 is nine and has been playing with bratz for about a year. i figure this is an appropriate age.

i try to shelter her from stuff but all her peers at school are into watching music vids and bratz etc. i have only just started letting her watch the music vids and tried to discuss my feelings on what they show, we also watch them together.

i don't want her to be the odd one out at school because she is not up with what's going on, and i know that if i am not the one guiding her, then she'll be seeing it at friends houses or at school and i won't have a chance to 'guide 'her.


someone mentioned the barbies having sex earlier, didn't everyone do that with their barbies? i also remember playing games that involved dressing up in bras and stuffing them with tissues.
i am all for kids being kids, but so much of being a kid is practising to be an adult, even home corner type games and baby dolls. as girls get older role playing teenage stuff is gonna happen. it does seem to be happenning younger and younger though....

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

I don't like Bratz whatsoever...but have bought my stepdaughter them as that is what she likes and all her friends have them and I don't want her to feel ostracised in her peer group...to be fair I remember my mum being the same about Barbie (we in UK had Sindy which I was allowed...my mums reason for not liking Barbie was the big boobs little pants thing and the image it makes little girkls think they have to be) but I didn't understand and I dreamed to have a Barbie. Personally for me I dont like Bratz as they seem to all look like the tacky/tarty lady you might see on street corners or on some of the videos on Rage...and it seems weird they what someone thinks little girls should be aspiring to...hadnt thought about the g-string thing...hadn't stripped one down! :rolleyes:
Personally when I was slimmer I wore thongs as we call them...and I never considered myself to be skanky...infact I thought I looked great I am sure esp when I managed to ahve a matching bra and thong set...but they are definitely associated with being sexy...which yeh I not sure that really appropriate for little ones...but hey they see us wearing them...and when they in teens/twenties they for sure will wear them and I not yet heard my stepdaughter talk about wanting them now...she thinks they for grown up ladies only...however I would never tell her I think Bratz tarty or whatever as I not sure it good to put superficial judgements of the way people look/dress into a 9 year olds mind...she gonna hear enuff of that I sure...
not sure what my point is...;)

[Minke]

Just to explain myself better....

I too used to wear g-strings (before having a child - resemble a rolled roast now!). I don't have a problem with lingerie, but a doll marketed as a "baby" bratz in a thong, who is also carrying a baby bottle, i do have a problem with. How do you explain to a little girl that even though your doll is a baby with a bottle she is wearing adult underwear?

I was a tomboy who didn't play with dolls, and always hated barbie (gave my sisters a few good haircuts) but have bought them for my daughter because thats what she wants. The reason i bought the baby bratz doll is i thought they were being marketed for younger girls (the bratz dolls are for tweens aren't they? is that like 8 years old?)

As for stripping it down to check out its undies - you don't have to -the skirt doesn't cover her bum.

So should they start selling baby borns in g-strings as well? Would everyone feel comfortable with that? maybe i am prude, but it just seems wrong...

[Chickadee]

But a doll marketed as a "baby" bratz in a thong, who is also carrying a baby bottle, i do have a problem with.
Are the baby bratz in thongs? When I looked at them on the Bratz website the baby dolls looked to be wearing underwear that was like boy cut pants.

[Minke]

Maybe mine was special but she definately is missing some of her undies.
I did buy it a year ago, so maybe they've changed? I wish I could post a photo on here! (other than my avatar cause that could be quite weird :D )

[Chickadee]

Kelli, if you have another site to upload a photo to you can put a link here. The Bratz site was www.bratz.com (I think).

[Charlie]

On a side note, just wondering if anyone else made their Barbies have sex...or was I just an unusually perverted child?

I also had very sexually adventerise Babrbies!!!:smiliedance:

Like ppl have said I too don't like the Horrible look on Bratz faces...

I don't think Barbie is perfect either, but atleast she looks happy....I'd rather a happy Bimbo than a Grumpy Scrag!!:laughing:

[carls]

I cant stand Bratz. Firstly because of how its spelt and secondly what they look like. Lets start with hooker stilettos, collagen lips, OTT makeup, skirts so short you can see what they had for breakfast, tight tops and exposed midriffs. The ones I have seen on TV look a lot worse than the ones on the website.

I think kids are too easily influenced, and you can see it by going to the nearest shopping centre. How I long for the days when kids are entertained by pedal cars and wooden toys, rather than skanky trash dolls, toy guns, swords, fighting computer games etc etc.

I dread the day that Bratz clothing will be hitting the shelves, and I think its only a matter of time. Its an invitation to all the sickos out there to prey on little girls, and I think if I had a girl it would be my daughters best interest to dissuade that kind of dress if only for those reasons.

Ask any man what a girl in super short mini skirt, boob top, OTT makeup and hooker stilettos represents, and I'm sure the answer wont be "the wholesome marrying type". :)

Theres no doubt sex sells, but it shouldnt be sold to such young impressionable minds that dont know the consequences (how society see people who dress like sl**s). My father never let me out of the house in tarty clothes. He is a man - he knew exactly how men would see me.

As for butt floss - an absolute must for adults!!! Who wants a VPL??!!! :laughing:

[Odessa]

Kelli, if you have another site to upload a photo to you can put a link here. The Bratz site was www.bratz.com (http://www.bratz.com) (I think).

Maybe it was the "Bratz Big Babies"? Those look to be wearing miniskirts but you can't see their underwear from those photos.

I found a link to a news article with video

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=bizarre&id=3765173

And an information/opinion piece from "Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood":

http://www.commercialexploitation.org/news/bratzthong.htm

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

Bratz clothes - you can get BRatz stuff already in Kmart - but not sure if exactly as on the dolls! I hope not - so far it seems to be licensed knickers (not g's!!!) and pjams etc...oh and the worst fitting shoes in the world!:rolleyes:

[Kirstlea]

Hate it Hate it Hate :banghead: :banghead:

Thats my opinion:D

[SassyMummy]

It happens MANY PAGES AGO...but I wanted to respond to Chelle's post about feeling offended. She said that she's no longer reading this thread, but I still feel the need to respond.

(In case you didn't catch it, Chelle suggested that she chooses to dress similarly to Bratz dolls and is therefore offended by the statements made about the "skanky" etc outfits worn by the dollz...etc etc).

I AM sorry that my opinion offends people sometimes. However, in a thread which asks for an opinion, I feel I have the right to give one. If I were to write something which would not offend anyone, on this topic it would simply be, "I do not like Bratz" and that's it. Everyone would post a similar thread (although some would like them, some would be undecided etc...)...and it would be boring and pointless to have a thread. In fact, there should just be a poll if that were the case.

There are many things I can say that will offend people - because nobody shares exactly the same opinion as someone else. If we censor ourselves all of the time, in order to avoid offending another person, we will basically say nothing at all.

I hate mullets. They're ugly and scream "BOGAN!". I hate bright blue eyeshadow. Anyone who thinks they can wear it is crazy. I hate big fluffly (faux) fur coats - they flatter nobody. I hate utes - they remind me of scary farmers. I hate guinea pigs - I think they're the strangest, most annoying and ugly pets there are...I'd prefer a pet cricket. I hate Seinfeld - he's not funny.

I have probably offended plenty of people, but I'm pretty sure nobody is going to get too angry about it. (Though they may re-think their choice of fur coat...lol). They are just my opions, and there will be plenty of people out there who disagree with plenty of things I do (sex before marriage, teen mother, welfare-parent...etc etc).

The thing is, though there are things I do not like, and reasons why I do not like them, I don't expect everyone to agree with me. If adult's choose to dress like Bratz dolls, then so be it. They are adult and understand the connotations associated with such clothing. Not saying that they embody those connotations, they are simply old enough to understand. Children, however, are not.

I still fully believe that Bratz are skanky, trashy and just plain cranky-looking...and I'm not going to take it back because it might offend anyone...because it IS my opinion, as just as you have the right to express yourself through the way you dress etc, I have the right to voice my opinion when asked for it.

[Maghan]

I'll have to get groovy with it and find out what these dolls are wearing, I seem to be lost in a time warp p p p p (say that slowly with an echo)...

[Minke]

:o Sorry everyone...

Please excuse my 39 week pregnant brain (disappeared months ago...) :D Yes, as Darkstar suggested it is a big baby bratz doll (and from the front you can't tell what she is wearing underneath).

I would add more, but don't really want to have to post three times to get out something so simple...

[JodieC]

I dont mind the bratz, i think theyre quite cool. My DD absolutely loves em, she has around 12 :confused: and no she doesnt think its cool to be an airhead.

If i was trying to protect her from seeing skanky clothes and girls thinking its cool to be dumb i would have to lock her in her room, this things are everywhere not just in the toys we buy.

Theyre just dolls, if you make them out to be something more than that your kids will pick up on it and see them more than that.

Anything you say or do towards your child will have far more impact and influence in their lives than any toy ever will

[carls]

I hate mullets. They're ugly and scream "BOGAN!". I hate bright blue eyeshadow. Anyone who thinks they can wear it is crazy. I hate big fluffly (faux) fur coats - they flatter nobody. I hate utes - they remind me of scary farmers. I hate guinea pigs - I think they're the strangest, most annoying and ugly pets there are...I'd prefer a pet cricket. I hate Seinfeld - he's not funny.

I have probably offended plenty of people, but I'm pretty sure nobody is going to get too angry about it. (Though they may re-think their choice of fur coat...lol).


*clap clap clap*

A brilliant piece of writing!

I hate faux fur coats too - real fur is so much better (unless its baby seal fur).

Sending a pet cricket your way - my house is full of them at the moment for some reason.... :thumbsup:

[misskittyfantastico]

[QUOTE=SassyMummy I have the right to voice my opinion when asked for it.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, you do. But I believe that you can express an honest opinion without being judgemental - simply by perhaps being more sensitive and using less inflamatory language. Also, you don't need to generalise:thumbsdown:

I for example look cute in faux fur:D

[SassyMummy]

I maintain my prior stance on the hideousness of fur coats...:rolleyes: :D

Milliesmum - I'm sorry that you think I'm generalising...though I wonder what you think it is that I'm generalising. Bratz dolls? ******? Fur Coats? :D (Sorry...being cheeky). IMO, my language could have been much more colourful than it was when describing the bratz dolls and how I see them...I toned it down as much as I could without taking my point away.

If you see any of my other posts, you'll realise that I LOVE to elaborate, and the vast majority of my posts contain a few paragraphs, and so that's why I can't just leave it at: "I don't like the way they dress."

As for making the assumption that ALL people look bad in fur coats? I only make that assumption based on the fact that I have never seen a good-looking fur coat, let alone a fur-coat looking good on someone. (Even models look horrible in them IMO...). Again, it's just my opinion, and it's not a major issue...I'm sure people don't like the kind fashions I choose to wear either...but that's what makes the world so interesting.

[Chickadee]

Anyone want to start a new thread on the fur/leather issue, and I'll close this one. I think the Bratz discussion is done.

[Odessa]

Hi Martha, ladies,

I've created a new thread in General Chat called "Leather and Fur, what's your opinion?" as this thread has well and truly had it. All fur/leather related threads have been moved there :thumbsup:

Cheers