I remember being, like, 10 years old and day dreaming over the 'American Girls' catalog. At upwards of $65 for a doll, fifteen years ago;
now $95, it ended at day dreaming. I'm...a little scared of becoming one of "those" parents that buys their children everything they never had. My mom did that. Anything in excess is bad, bad, bad.
But, I wouldn't be completely opposed to Megan having one of these beautiful dolls one day. (Like, 5 years from now when there
won't be Animal Crackers crushed into her hair and fingerpaint streaking her cheeks.) Note: I said ONE and I mean ONE. At $95? We
won't be collecting them like seashells on the beach.
I just don't know how I feel about 'Gwen Thompson' over there... She's homeless.
It's not that that gives me pause...it's the story that goes along with it that raises my eyebrows. Word is, it's because her father up and left her and her mother. They struggled for a while and then lived out of their car. I have this awful mental image of reading the book that comes with her to a 6 year old Megan and having her eyes bug out... "IS DADDY GOING TO LEAVE?! ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE OUT OF THE CAR?! WHERE WILL WE PUT ALL OF MY DORA STUFF?!?!?!?!"
I think it's great that they're bringing to light real issues. (I mean, this
is Mattel...maker of Barbie, whose biggest issue is whether she'd rather go to the beach or be an astronaut today.) But...I don't...know...about the...approach. On the other hand,
is there a
good approach to the subject? Would it have been any better if Daddy had died? (A la` Disney.) Or simply lost his job in a troubled economy and not been able to find a new one?
On the surface, it seems like a great idea to put these issues out there and make the dolls something that little girls might be able to identify with...but it's still a $95 doll. The girls that
could identify with her? Won't be getting her. And where does it stop? Okay, Gwen's Daddy left and Mommy lost their home... Does Tabitha's Daddy leave and Mommy becomes a cat lady? Does Monica's Mommy leave everything and run away with the TV repairman? Does Megan's Mommy become a shut-in that does nothing but drink margaritas all day and blog? I mean,
really...
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Comments (53)
I'm with you. I think they could have handled how the character became homeless better, like you suggested perhaps the parents lost jobs and they simply can't get back on their feet. It would be more realistic and open more conversations without the inevitable "Is Daddy going to leave us?!" conversation. I mean yeah, it's true, parents leave sometimes but really? I'm not about to pay $95 for a doll to show my kid that homelessness isn't the end of the world.
95$ for a doll is stupid, especially in this economy. & you're right, the ones that can relate won't be able to w/the price. what is that company thinking?
I'm going to have to go look at the American girls site. I too had several of those dolls...Samantha, Felicity, Addy, Josephina, Molly...I can't remember anymore.
wow wtf..
I really have nothing important to add to this discussion. I just enjoy stalking you.
@thesexydevilgirl@xanga - That's what I was about to say.
$95 is a lot for a doll, but I too would consider getting one as a very special present for my daughter (I don't have kids yet so this is hypothetical). As in, this is one of your two Christmas presents and I'd make sure it wasn't going to be toted around outside in the sandbox etc. I mean, most parents spend at least $100 on their kids for the holidays so if she really wants an AG doll why not?
As for the daddy-leaving-now-we're-homeless issue, it is deep and somewhat depressing for a six year old. However, my favorite American Girl story was always Addy, and I think slavery and watching your parents being whipped because of the the color of their skin is equally as tough of an issue. I guess it depends what you think your kids are ready for.
I don't think children need to hear a story like that. The girls that can benefit from relating from the situation probably can't afford that doll to begin with. And who says that the girls in that situation want to be reminded of it in their toys? I always liked that my toys helped me imagine a life very different than mine. I would think of something positive, like being an Olympic athlete, a princess, or a business owner.
Why do young children need to be exposed to the dangers and tragedies of the world like death, broken families, and poverty? What do they benefit from it?
American Girl is mattel? wtf mate. But i own two,a bitty baby and a Molly. :]
I wanted one SO badly when I was younger and I hope my daughter is into dolls enough to want one too! The thing that gets me (besides the sad story) is that once you shell out $95 for the doll, the girl is still going to want the bed and the clothes and, and, and.... So expensive!
Don't know how I feel about the story.. I always thought dolls were for pretend.. Isn't that why Barbie got the mansion and hunky guy and awesome car? Does a little girl really want a doll that has the same crappy story she has? Depends on the girl, I suppose.
@gwacemom - I thought I heard the screen door creak a few mintues ago... LOL.
@tryingtofind_me@xanga - That's pretty well our approach to it. This year, we're spending around $100 per child for Christmas. The boys both want pricier items. The aim is to get them what they want most and teach them to save allowances for the rest.
@actualization@xanga - You know, I hadn't thought about it like that, but I agree...a lot of the time I spent playing Barbies was doing something very different from my life/the life of my family.
@filtered_sunlight - Is that breastmilk on your shirt? LOL, I am bored out of my mind and have nothing better to do than bug you.
@Daisy86162@xanga - I know! $24 for DOLL PAJAMAS!! $75 for the horse! (And every girl wants the horse...) Over $100 for some of the beds! Megan may get an AG doll, but I think we'll discover the wonderful world of knock-offs and sewing patterns for the rest! "Gwen" is a beautiful doll and I'm sure that's been a huge selling point.... (Flip-flops? On a doll? Too freakin' adorable! LOL)
@gwacemom - Actually, no. It's mushed up cookie and pudding that Megan wiped on my shirt earlier this evening.
I don't have girls so I was never faced with the American Doll Craze. I don't get this one though. Children should be allowed to be children and not be burdened with adult issues for as long as we can keep them innocent. I say we do just that because once that's gone you can never get it back. Allow them the few precious childlikeyears they have and if you really want to hit on the politics of homelessness, use the $$ to benefit a charity.
I will begin this with a disclaimer in that I LOVE AG dolls, my daughter and I collect them and I belong to multiple collecting communities. I enjoy sharing the historical stories with my 9 year old and her friends. Some of the stories are tough, but that is why these aren't meant for really young children, but the topics shouldn't be completely ignored because they aren't easy to hear. American Girl presents their characters as girls that your child can relate to, not babies to care for or adults to aspire to. The Girls of the Year are available for a limited time and provide stories that are current to the year they are released in.
As for the price, which seems to be the biggest sticking point for most people, it is true, they are pricey, but I look at it this way - I still have my My Little Ponies that I got 24 years ago and even though I have always taken very good care of them, the pieces are starting to deteriorate. Since I have been collecting and repairing American Girl dolls, I have gotten 20 year old dolls that, with minimal effort, have been repairable to like new condition. Also, we only buy our historical dolls new from Mattel, all the dolls I have repaired, customized and gifted to many happy little girls have come from the secondary market where a loved doll often goes for half of the original price or less. I have had the opportunity, through learning to revive these sturdy dolls, to give nearly 20 American Girl dolls to friends and family. I love taking a doll who has seen better days and fixing her to look just like a special little someone.
Also, though I favor the American Girl dolls themselves, if you aren't interested in paying for all the accessories and clothes, Target carries the Our Generation brand of dolls and accessories that are less pricey (though more cheaply made as well) and Walmart as recently added a line of 18" Madame Alexander dolls and clothes that also rival AG and OG. The most exciting thing to happen recently for most of the collector community is that the MA line at Walmart has 4 different horses to choose from that have jointed legs and ears, you can't imagine the squee over this, lol. Finally, these dolls have inspired many of us collectors in our sewing, crafting and general creativity. Building a world for a favorite doll can be a labor of love but it doesn't have to be extremely costly.
As for the topic at hand, Gwen is only around for a year (in fact, her run is nearly over) and she isn't even a main character. The main Girl of the Year is Chrissa, Gwen is Chrissa's friend. Chrissa's story revolves around being a new student and being bullied at her new school. Gwen's story is, as presented in the media, that her mother struggles after her father walks out, but that is only part of it. They live in a halfway house and are able to get an apartment and back on their feet. To me this says that even if times are tough, anyone can make it through. Unfortunately the sensationalist media either doesn't want to talk about the positive aspects of the story or hasn't bothered to check their facts.
All of the dolls stories have become increasingly darker. I remember Kit's story was how her father lost his job during the Great Depression. Sad day for Kit. :(
You are just mad because you cant buy one for you to play with! If you bought one, you would have to give it to Megan!
I haven't seen this doll, but a lot of the American Girls stories/dolls are about "issues" that might seem burdensome to kids - war, depression, racism - but that's part of history. Kit Kitteridge lived during the Depression, her dad lost his job, and she encountered prejudice against the "hobos" who lived in the woods.
By the way, I bought my 7yo a "gently used" AG doll and many accessories & extra outfits last christmas for less than half the retail prices. You can find them on ebay and she never knew the difference! She has since figured out that her doll is missing a few items featured in the catalog, and that some of the clothes actually belonged to another doll, but she still loves her... I might look for another one this year :)
@mstangledwebs@xanga - nice to hear from a collector! My daughter only as 1 AG doll so far, but I'm a historian so I appreciate the stories and ideas behind the dolls. And I just noted the same thing (and then read your post) - that you can buy used AG dolls on ebay, craigslist, etc.
i don't see anything wrong with this doll. yeah, she's overpriced, but they all are. children with $95 dolls are likely well-off and unfamiliar with situations like homelessness and economic struggle. this doll could be a refreshing does of reality.
I remember crying as a girl when Kirsten's friend Martha died, but that doesn't mean I didn't love the books and read them over and over again. I wasn't traumatized. I never had any of the dolls, but if I had, I doubt I would be reminded of only the bad things in their lives. I would have made up new stories about whatever was on my mind that day.
I just think there are better ways to teach our kids about homelessness that affects kids their age. Especially when all of the $95 goes to Mattel for the doll and not for any organizations that might help homeless people.
We can't always protect our kids from the bad stuff in the world. It's our job as parents to tell them that yes, bad stuff happens, but we are here to protect them and show them how to get through difficult situations and calm their fears.
I really don't see a problem with the doll or the story, they are recommended for 8 year olds and then of course it's up to each parent to decide what your kids are ready for. My only issue is that I would really like to see them saying that they donate a portion of the profits to a charity that does something for homeless children. Other than that though it really does give the perspective that people don't necessarily have to look homeless be homeless, and sometimes it happens to good people that just fell on hard times. It kind of alters that crazy person with the shopping cart look, that just must be too lazy to work.
Anyway I read the books when I was younger, and I loved them. I hope to actually pick up a few books for my daughter as she gets older, in hopes that she'll enjoy them as well.
Besides if you look at the review on the American Girl website for the doll there really is no mention of her story, it seems most of the reviews are commenting on the quality of the doll. Which implies to me that she's not getting bought for the story but just because it's another pretty doll.
I was very into the American Girl stories, but I have never been into dolls, especially life-like ones (they creep me out, a LOT, always have, no relation to creepy movies about creepy dolls). My parents were very frugal and while we did not go without, my mom was of the opinion that it was more important to provide a great Christmas experience with nifty toys and family all around rather than expensive toys. I never even OWNED an American Girl book -- we got them from the library. Also, I never had them read to me, I read them all on my own, probably in 1st or 2nd grade, so I had a lot of fun reading about these stories of the "intense" stuff that happens to these girls. ALL of the AG's are dealing with difficult stuff -- the only thing that would make Gwen different is that she is modern-day instead of 1950s or earlier, you know? I would like to think that most children wouldn't go on ahead though and believe that because this character in a book had such-and-such happen to her, that the same thing would happen in her real life. I have a one year old, so I can't compare quite yet, I can only say what I felt when I was close to that age... and I certainly wasn't worried about the H-Bomb, even though I did read Molly...