AG's new "Gwen the homeless girl" doll ...

[Ppufi]

Poor taste? Honestly, people. Homelessness is a fact of life that young kids need to realize. They aren't living in paper bags; they stay in a car for a little bit. Then things turn out okay. In fact, I think the mother gets a job and they move into an apartment.

But really, to base judgement on a biased and completely cruel-spirited article without so much as looking at www.americangirl.com or amazon to read about the book is just tasteless. And also, isn't it just a little rude to just a girl, even if it's just a doll, because she was homeless? What kind of message does that put across?

I'm truly ashamed right now.

 

[luvmy3]

I still think that Mattel made a very bad decision to make this doll. Not because of the fact that she's homeless but because they are exploiting homelessness for their own profit. The Chrissa doll, and her story would have sold just fine without the introduction of the Gwen doll. Every other GOY doll has sold out every year without a companion doll. Its not like we are talking about $10 barbies here, we are talking about $100 dolls times 1000's. If Mattel had made the whole Chrissa and Gwen story about homelessness to teach young girls what they can do to combat that problem (not so much about bullying) and donated the proceeds from Gwen to charities to help the homeless I would feel differently. Since that was not the point of introducing a homeless doll to their product line, I think it was in poor tatse to make it. Just wanted to clear things up, I can't speak for anyone else but the problem I see with it has nothing do to with the fact that the character iin the story is homeless.

 

[Briarmom]

Thanks for the info LLP.

This 'controversy' has made me consider buying these dolls for DD before they retire in 3 months.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

The woman that originally wrote the column works for the NY Post. When DH saw it he was a little tweaked for some bizarre reason. He was convinced they were going to sell a matching car for her to live in.

Anyway, as I had to do a little shopping at the store and I work a block away I printed the column out and walked over there. The women at the concierge desk assured me that the woman that wrote the column completely misconstrued the concept of AG dolls. She picked on one little part of one story and ran with it. They said she walked around the store looking down her nose at the dolls and their accessories, with her Louis Vuitton bag. The women were not pleased with the columnist.

So there is my 2 cents from my trip to the AG store!!
BTW, they put a really cool "Make your Own" doll t-shirt and bakery up on the 2nd floor.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I still think that Mattel made a very bad decision to make this doll. Not because of the fact that she's homeless but because they are exploiting homelessness for their own profit. The Chrissa doll, and her story would have sold just fine without the introduction of the Gwen doll. Every other GOY doll has sold out every year without a companion doll. Its not like we are talking about $10 barbies here, we are talking about $100 dolls times 1000's. If Mattel had made the whole Chrissa and Gwen story about homelessness to teach young girls what they can do to combat that problem (not so much about bullying) and donated the proceeds from Gwen to charities to help the homeless I would feel differently. Since that was not the point of introducing a homeless doll to their product line, I think it was in poor tatse to make it. Just wanted to clear things up, I can't speak for anyone else but the problem I see with it has nothing do to with the fact that the character iin the story is homeless.

Gwen has a happy ending.

As did Nellie who was Samantha's companion.

I certainly don't see what all the fuss is about when AG has essentially ALREADY done this type of thing with a girl who remained pretty much a starving orphan throughout the original Samantha story. But noone complained about Nellie's existence.

Why is it Matel's resposnsibilty to contribute to homeless efforts just b/c they created a character who is homeless?

They didn't contribute to foster care on Nellie's behalf.

They didn't contribute to the NAACP for Addie either.

Chrissa is also the first year they made a movie to go with GOY. They changed how they did things.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They said she walked around the store looking down her nose at the dolls and their accessories, with her Louis Vuitton bag.

If true--.

Gotta love it when people turn their noses down at someone's social incorrectness over a doll that costs but a small fraction of a LV bag.


(again--if what the concierge says is true! After all--they're defending their company.)

 

[luvmy3]

Gwen has a happy ending.

As did Nellie who was Samantha's companion.

I certainly don't see what all the fuss is about when AG has essentially ALREADY done this type of thing with a girl who remained pretty much a starving orphan throughout the original Samantha story. But noone complained about Nellie's existence.

Why is it Matel's resposnsibilty to contribute to homeless efforts just b/c they created a character who is homeless?
They didn't contribute to foster care on Nellie's behalf.

They didn't contribute to the NAACP for Addie either.

Chrissa is also the first year they made a movie to go with GOY. They changed how they did things.

Its not and I never said it was, but IMHO it would be the responsible thing to do. What more do you want to hear, at this point who is it thats making all the fuss

 

[rie'smom]

I think Mattel should do a matching donation to a homeless shelter for each Gwen doll they sell. That to me would be a real life lesson to girls. "To whom much is given, much is expected."

 

[luvsJack]

The fact that you all are justifying this doll by saying "oh, well, homelessness is part of life" is just sad!!

It shouldn't be a part of life and if any of you were two seconds closer to it, you may feel differently. The fact that you can afford to buy your child a $95 doll sort of tells the tale that homelessness is no more a part of your life than working in a rice field.

If you want to teach your little girls about the plight of the homeless, take them to volunteer in a soup kitchen or like a wise pp said donate the $95 to a homeless shelter.

 

[Briarmom]

The fact that you all are justifying this doll by saying "oh, well, homelessness is part of life" is just sad!!

It shouldn't be a part of life and if any of you were two seconds closer to it, you may feel differently. The fact that you can afford to buy your child a $95 doll sort of tells the tale that homelessness is no more a part of your life than working in a rice field.

If you want to teach your little girls about the plight of the homeless, take them to volunteer in a soup kitchen or like a wise pp said donate the $95 to a homeless shelter.

Oh please. That's like saying because posters here have vacations planned, they never donate time or money.

Your judgement is what's sad.

 

[luvmy3]

Thanks for the info LLP.

This 'controversy' has made me consider buying these dolls for DD before they retire in 3 months.

If you can wait till Oct, you could probably get a good deal on QVC's AG show. They had Chrissa with an outfit, and maybe PJ's for girls at a great price. They also had Sonali & Gwen together for $150. I don't know for sure if they will offer the same things in their Oct. show but just thought I'd give you a heads up.



See-I'm not calling for any boycotts or AG book burnings

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

See-I'm not calling for any boycotts or AG book burnings

Nah--hitting their profit margin hits 'em wear it hurts when you share the sales.

 

[luvsJack]

Oh please. That's like saying because posters here have vacations planned, they never donate time or money.

Your judgement is what's sad.

What does having a vacation planned or not planned have to do with anything? Donate all the time and money you want, I never said you didn't. I said it would be a better way to teach your child about homelessness than buying this doll.

They are selling a $100 doll fashioned after what is a the heartbreak of many a mother in this country. How do you think a mother whose little girls sleeps in a cardboard box or in a car or under a bridge would feel seeing this doll? If the makers want to bring awareness to homeless children then they should DO something not just make money off a ridiculously priced doll.

 

[catycatcat4]

1- A lot of people mad about this doll over what they read in an article, Most of you wouldn't be so worked up if you came across the doll in the store or online. Learn to think for your self and not just what someone puts in a stupid biased news articles

2- A lot of you are also just really uncomfortable with the topic

3- There is tons of homeless characters in books movies shows ect, Is there a big hoopla over that? No!


Stop fighting over a penny like its a million dollors.

 

[donnajon]

Actually, Gwen being homeless is a small part of the story. The other kids pick on her and Chrissa befriends her. Sonali starts out being mean and turns herself around. And the kids get together and do something for the homeless shelter.
As far as American Girl dolls being expensive, yes they are. However, they are a quality product that lasts generations! And they keep their value. How many toys do your kids have right now that you can sell for close to, if not more than the original cost? Not too many I'd venture to guess.

 

[Dancemom03]

What does having a vacation planned or not planned have to do with anything? Donate all the time and money you want, I never said you didn't. I said it would be a better way to teach your child about homelessness than buying this doll.

They are selling a $100 doll fashioned after what is a the heartbreak of many a mother in this country. How do you think a mother whose little girls sleeps in a cardboard box or in a car or under a bridge would feel seeing this doll? If the makers want to bring awareness to homeless children then they should DO something not just make money off a ridiculously priced doll.

Maybe donating our airfare and volunteering at a homeless shelter might be an even better way to teach the kids about homelessness. I invite you to give that a shot. Since when did taking a vacation or buying a doll have any impact on homelessness, poverty, or any other social ill? I've helped serve meals at a food kitchen - as have my kids. We've even given... gasp... these dreaded & corrupt offensively expensive dolls to two less fortunate young ladies in our community and would again without reservations.

Just because you're poor - even living in a car - doesn't mean childhood can't hold some small pleasure or that you aren't allowed to enjoy a good book/treasured belonging. The mothers I've met don't teach their children to resent those who have things - they teach them to strive to do better and that life is about more than the possessions we - or others - have. That's the problem with many in our country's inner cities today - it's easier to blame those who have, than to take responsibility and work to be one of those people in the future.

Lots of offended folks who haven't bothered to read Gwen's story - and probably need a free wdw ticket as incentive to volunteer their time - are complaining, but very few with all the facts who've read the books have found anything done in "poor taste". More to the point IMO are whether the bloggers and media focusing on this - who want a presumably evil American capitalist company, along with an actual published author of more than just a blog, to write & give money to what they deem appropriate - spent any time or money lending a hand to those less fortunate? I'd love to hear those stories - especially if they're factual - unlike the original "story", that this craziness spun off of, now being taken as Gospel by so many of the uninformed. To use words that make me cringe every time I hear them coming from the oval office lately "we've got a lot of misinformation out there".

Not only is Gwen not a "new" doll, she's not even "new" news! This lopsided biased "news" was first announced last week 9/24.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/homeless_doll_costs_hairstyling_4Ic0hC7Lacpfo8HQbczsQM
They say both news and fish stink after three days - but the fish can't possibly be worse than the reek of incompetence keeping this going.

Can anyone name the doll from the "roaring twenties" mentioned for me?? Go check AG's site, I'll wait... uh-huh... just what I thought... there isn't one... never has been. Geez, that's such a simple fact, yet apparently neither she, nor her editor, or the publication's proof readers for that matter, were informed enough to catch even this simple & obvious detail - much less take an hour to read Gwen's background directly from her story - or even cheat like middle school kids and watch the movie. The story OP's link takes us to is not the original, and has now been "updated" by the author several times as you can see if you read both.

As a newspaper columnist for a daily paper owned by one of the leading news publication companies in the country for the past 19 years myself, There's one thing drilled into our heads every single week - that it's all about the facts - check, check, and double check - give readers factual information in a timely manner without bias. This writer did none of those things. The news is nowhere near timely - geez, Chrissa's story was introduced in Dec 2008 - almost a year ago- and she wants us to be offended NOW? Where has she been all year? It sure wasn't at the library or anywhere for fact-checking...

I still think that Mattel made a very bad decision to make this doll. Not because of the fact that she's homeless but because they are exploiting homelessness for their own profit. The Chrissa doll, and her story would have sold just fine without the introduction of the Gwen doll. Every other GOY doll has sold out every year without a companion doll.

Actually that's not correct - Lindsey (2001) & Jess (2006) didn't sell out in the time period stated and sales were briefly extended beyond the initial retirement date, with excess inventory eventually donated to charity. I believe that Marisol (2005) was the first doll to sell out, and Kailey (2003) was also extended into January, possibly Feb but will wait for somebody else to post and verify that before saying for certain. The past two DOTYs, Nicki and Mia, both sold out before Christmas as expected though. It remians to be seen if Chrissa & friends will or not...

Its not like we are talking about $10 barbies here, we are talking about $100 dolls times 1000's.

I could buy my DDs 3 or 4 Barbies (sorry, few are $10 any more) to drag around with cheap hair that would shortly be permanently unmanageable and clothes that are hard to get on/off - OR I could buy one quality doll with a body, clothes and accessories that actually resemble real children more than grown women and a story that will teach them something, while encouraging a love of reading, for that same money which has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee and can be sent for exchange or repairs at any time - even after being passed down to their children. No doubt at all in my mind which is the better value...

If Mattel had made the whole Chrissa and Gwen story about homelessness to teach young girls what they can do to combat that problem (not so much about bullying) and donated the proceeds from Gwen to charities to help the homeless I would feel differently. Since that was not the point of introducing a homeless doll to their product line, I think it was in poor tatse to make it. Just wanted to clear things up, I can't speak for anyone else but the problem I see with it has nothing do to with the fact that the character iin the story is homeless.

FTR - I'm completely underwhelmed by Chrissa, Gwen and Sonali even though we own them. I'd much rather AG have introduced more DOTY clothing, furniture, access to go with Chrissa - like Nicki or Mia's whole world collection, as opposed to two more dolls. In fact, my issue with the two "friend" dolls was that neither had very much of a story and we weren't given a lot of background - or epilogue either - to develop those characters enough to warrant buying them.

The bottom line though is that Chrissa's story wasn't about homelessness - it was about bullying - much in the same way that we can probably agree Gone with the Wind wasn't about slavery even though the story touched on it.

Is it sad, reprehensible even, that people are homeless in America today? Sure it is. Given the economy, it's a reality more of today's kids may have to face one day in some way, shape or form. I can't help but think that putting a face on the homeless, and a character kids have some experience with & can relate to, can only help today's youth feel more empathy and compassion for those facing that hardship...

 

[rie'smom]

Actually, Gwen being homeless is a small part of the story. The other kids pick on her and Chrissa befriends her. Sonali starts out being mean and turns herself around. And the kids get together and do something for the homeless shelter.
As far as American Girl dolls being expensive, yes they are. However, they are a quality product that lasts generations! And they keep their value. How many toys do your kids have right now that you can sell for close to, if not more than the original cost? Not too many I'd venture to guess.

It's not about the cost to me even though it's in the OP's post. As I posted previously, this is a prime opportunity for Mattel to show a giving spirit and donate, if not in kind, then a % of each sale of this doll to homeless shelters.

Maybe donating our airfare and volunteering at a homeless shelter might be an even better way to teach the kids about homelessness. I invite you to give that a shot. Since when did taking a vacation or buying a doll have any impact on homelessness, poverty, or any other social ill? I've helped serve meals at a food kitchen - as have my kids. We've even given... gasp... these dreaded & corrupt offensively expensive dolls to two less fortunate young ladies in our community and would again without reservations.

Just because you're poor - even living in a car - doesn't mean childhood can't hold some small pleasure or that you aren't allowed to enjoy a good book/treasured belonging. The mothers I've met don't teach their children to resent those who have things - they teach them to strive to do better and that life is about more than the possessions we - or others - have. That's the problem with many in our country's inner cities today - it's easier to blame those who have, than to take responsibility and work to be one of those people in the future.

Lots of offended folks who haven't bothered to read Gwen's story - and probably need a free wdw ticket as incentive to volunteer their time - are complaining, but very few with all the facts who've read the books have found anything done in "poor taste". More to the point IMO are whether the bloggers and media focusing on this - who want a presumably evil American capitalist company, along with an actual published author of more than just a blog, to write & give money to what they deem appropriate - spent any time or money lending a hand to those less fortunate? I'd love to hear those stories - especially if they're factual - unlike the original "story", that this craziness spun off of, now being taken as Gospel by so many of the uninformed. To use words that make me cringe every time I hear them coming from the oval office lately "we've got a lot of misinformation out there".

Not only is Gwen not a "new" doll, she's not even "new" news! This lopsided biased "news" was first announced last week 9/24.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/homeless_doll_costs_hairstyling_4Ic0hC7Lacpfo8HQbczsQM
They say both news and fish stink after three days - but the fish can't possibly be worse than the reek of incompetence keeping this going.

Can anyone name the doll from the "roaring twenties" mentioned for me?? Go check AG's site, I'll wait... uh-huh... just what I thought... there isn't one... never has been. Geez, that's such a simple fact, yet apparently neither she, nor her editor, or the publication's proof readers for that matter, were informed enough to catch even this simple & obvious detail - much less take an hour to read Gwen's background directly from her story - or even cheat like middle school kids and watch the movie. The story OP's link takes us to is not the original, and has now been "updated" by the author several times as you can see if you read both.

As a newspaper columnist for a daily paper owned by one of the leading news publication companies in the country for the past 19 years myself, There's one thing drilled into our heads every single week - that it's all about the facts - check, check, and double check - give readers factual information in a timely manner without bias. This writer did none of those things. The news is nowhere near timely - geez, Chrissa's story was introduced in Dec 2008 - almost a year ago- and she wants us to be offended NOW? Where has she been all year? It sure wasn't at the library or anywhere for fact-checking...



Actually that's not correct - Lindsey (2001) & Jess (2006) didn't sell out in the time period stated and sales were briefly extended beyond the initial retirement date, with excess inventory eventually donated to charity. I believe that Marisol (2005) was the first doll to sell out, and Kailey (2003) was also extended into January, possibly Feb but will wait for somebody else to post and verify that before saying for certain. The past two DOTYs, Nicki and Mia, both sold out before Christmas as expected though. It remians to be seen if Chrissa & friends will or not...



I could buy my DDs 3 or 4 Barbies (sorry, few are $10 any more) to drag around with cheap hair that would shortly be permanently unmanageable and clothes that are hard to get on/off - OR I could buy one quality doll with a body, clothes and accessories that actually resemble real children more than grown women and a story that will teach them something, while encouraging a love of reading, for that same money which has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee and can be sent for exchange or repairs at any time - even after being passed down to their children. No doubt at all in my mind which is the better value...



FTR - I'm completely underwhelmed by Chrissa, Gwen and Sonali even though we own them. I'd much rather AG have introduced more DOTY clothing, furniture, access to go with Chrissa - like Nicki or Mia's whole world collection, as opposed to two more dolls. In fact, my issue with the two "friend" dolls was that neither had very much of a story and we weren't given a lot of background - or epilogue either - to develop those characters enough to warrant buying them.

The bottom line though is that Chrissa's story wasn't about homelessness - it was about bullying - much in the same way that we can probably agree Gone with the Wind wasn't about slavery even though the story touched on it.

Is it sad, reprehensible even, that people are homeless in America today? Sure it is. Given the economy, it's a reality more of today's kids may have to face one day in some way, shape or form. I can't help but think that putting a face on the homeless, and a character kids have some experience with & can relate to, can only help today's youth feel more empathy and compassion for those facing that hardship...

In the course of a year, we give much more than the cost of a WDW vacation. There's a family that my family has more or less adopted. We've helped and are helping to put their kids through college. There are grade school kids that we help to clothe.

I've volunteered at a food bank for 25 years.

The statement about needing a free ticket is unnecessarily harsh. Many here on the DIS have big hearts and do volunteer work. If someone is going to volunteer strictly to get a WDW ticket, then it is not volunteering because they expect a form of compensation.

Journalism today is not what it was when I was a writer in the 70's. Fact checking has gone the way of the dinosaurs. Journalists use blogs for facts. I'm not saying it's right, it's just the way it is.

I have my Barbie doll from 1964. She's in perfect condition and believe me, I played with this doll every day for years. The AG dolls are quality too.

 

[luvsJack]

Dancemom03: didn't want to quote such a long post.

I don't have a trip planned so don't have any airfare to donate. We do give our time to a local place that feeds the homeless (or anyone who is hungry). We also donate toys, blankets and personal hygiene products to shelter. I don't just preach, I do. Do I donate $100 dolls? No. Because I would rather give the gift of 5 toys to 5 children than 1 toy to 1 child; and because sometimes my $100 is better spent on clothing for the child or blankets so that they will be warm.

BTW,Precious books and toys don't always have to come as something that cost $100, a $10 teddy bear can be just as meaningful or a $30 Mickey Mouse that Mickey himself sent from WDW.

As for the inner city problem you mentioned, nothing I said was "the have nots blaming the haves".

If you choose to buy these dolls, that is your business. For our household, and dd's preference--the dolls are overpriced. She just doesn't like that type of doll. She prefers Barbie. That doesn't make her wrong, just a different preference from your child. My niece's daughter has one and doesn't play with it because she, too, prefers Barbie. Other niece's daughter loves her AG doll and carries it everywhere. Its all a matter of preference of the child.

What I said was that everyone saying "homelessness is just a part of life" was sad. And regardless of the story of the doll, that commentary is still sad. Abuse is "a part of life" too. Should they introduce a doll that has been physically or sexually abused too? Shouldn't we make people aware of this problem?

And whatever part of the story the dolls' homlessness was, there must have been some purpose to putting it in the story. Why not use that purpose and donate some of the money to a shelter? (the makers, I mean) One doll is not going to make much of a difference--1000's will help.


FTR, GWTW was not about slavery; but any time the book is mentioned in public school the controversy starts. I love GWTW but it glamorizes slavery. If this doll and her story does not tell the truth about what goes on in the life of a homeless child (the fear, the being cold at night, the possibly not knowing what they will eat tomorrow, not being able to bathe, etc) then that is what it does to being homeless.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

Quite the oxymoron, I'd say.

My heart just breaks imagining an actual homeless girl, dreaming of having just one pretty doll.

I hope they donate some of the proceeds to some charity that helps homeless children.

 

[luvmy3]

Is it sad, reprehensible even, that people are homeless in America today? Sure it is. Given the economy, it's a reality more of today's kids may have to face one day in some way, shape or form. I can't help but think that putting a face on the homeless, and a character kids have some experience with & can relate to, can only help today's youth feel more empathy and compassion for those facing that hardship...

Sorry, you have missed my point. Sure its commendable that AG wants to teach todays youth about compassion and empathy for those facng hardship. How about practicing what they preach, by doing something real and tangible about it, like donating any proceeds to organizations that help the homeless. The fact is, right now people living in cars and shelters would be better off with a donation, than a bunch of 8-10 year olds learning to feel compassion and empathy for their situation. You see proceeds of products going to charities and research all the time, its not a novel concept. I don't believe that Mattel is some big bad horrible capitalist company only out to line their evil CEO's pockets, dd will be the proud owner of her 6th AG doll this Christmas. However, I have lost respect for AG especially when their premise is to teach today's girls how to be strong and to do the right thing by others, even when its not the easy thing to do. They really could have done something that showed girls that with compassion and empathy and the right resources ($ in this case) you can actually help REAL people, who aren't living in an AG story with a happy ending.
In the grand scheme its not really a big deal, I'm not going to be losing sleep or protesting, and I'm not going to stop buying their products. Its just an opinion on their choice to make and sell this particular doll, thats all.