Young girls are becoming more and more exposed to the images of the “ideal woman”. Studies show that 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies by the age of 13. There are toys, magazines, shows, and many more ways little girls are being trained. A great example of this is the “children’s doll”, Bratz.
These little girls’ dolls are meant to be simply an expression of the child’s creativity. But when children play they are exploring the world around them. That is how they learn and these dolls are sending the wrong message. They are “fashion conscious” dolls. They tell the little girls that what they should be concerned about is fashion and boys and make-up. A plain dolls leaves more room for creativity without leading them.
Amie Newman, our average mother, has expressed her concern about these dolls by quoting an article out of the Washington Post.
"Ten year old girls can slide their low-cut jeans over "eye-candy" panties. French maid costumes, garter belt included, are available in pre-teen sizes. Barbie now comes in a "bling-bling" style, replete with halter top and go-go boots."
There is something inherently wrong with allowing young girls to be exposed to this kind of imagery at such a vital stage in their self-development and although manufacturers may claim that these dolls are made for girls 7 and up, Bratz sells padded training bras for 6-year-old girls. These girls are barely out of kindergarten and are already being told they are not good enough.
Women need to break out of the self-deprecating habit. Not just for themselves, but for all the little girls fallowing in their footsteps. Don’t let your little girls be raised by someone else’s point of view. Break the cycle of unhappy women. http://www.007b.com/body_image_breasts_puberty.php
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/02/27/we-hate-bratz
http://parenting.families.com/blog/padded-bras-for-6-year-olds