OT-Bratz dolls-HATE THEM! Just a rant....

[fakereadhed]

It is a doll and the only message that it sends is the one that people make their own assumptions about. Just like everyone thought Barbie sent a wrong message. I always played with dolls, however I never once wanted to be blonde and I never once thought about having to be thin just because she was. SHE WAS A DOLL!! She was a doll that i spent hundreds of hours playing with, making up scenerios and changing their clothes. The Bratz dolls come in different races which sends a positive message that you can be friends with all kinds of people and accept their differences.

ITA! And I think most parents get hung up on the name Bratz. When I was younger, my mom never let me watch Facts of Life because it was about sex. This is kind of like that IMO.

 

[princesspiglet]

I have no problems with her playing dolls, she has lots of barbies and American Girl dolls. However, I do not think Bratz babies should look like hootchie mamas! The part of the movie I did see, the little girls were dressed in mid shirts and underwear with their hair all wild and MAKEUP on- roaming the mall! That's the kind of image I want my 4 year old to see? If the dolls are marketed to 9-12 year olds, then why do they make Bratz babies? of course little girls are going to want them, the dolls are supposed to be their age. And in the cartoon that I have seen that is aired on Saturdays, there are two blonde girls that are popular and mean to all the other girls- how does that promote friendship???

My DD is only 4 and I want her to act like she is 4. I just don't get parents that let their little children act like teenagers. IMHO, she should enjoy being a little girl and not have to worry about what she wears and if she fits in or looks beautiful enough and that is the attitude/image these Bratz dolls portray.

 

[noodleknitter]

I think it is a bit ironic how so many want their children to "stay young, believe in characters, etc" but give them the mixed msg. that dressing like a hoochie is also "childlike." Two very different msgs.

Aside from the fact that society (apart from hormonely driven teenage boys) look down on those that dress and act in a similar manner.

 

[Disneytwins]

I think those dolls are geared more toward the older girls. Just like everything else in the toy section that has an age limit on the package. If it says age 3 and up, it doesn't mean I will buy it for my four year old. Although, we think the dolls are cute in their own ugly way lmao I guess I haven't paid much attention to them because I haven't seen the racy side yet. Just big pouty lips, but I think they are better proportioned than Barbie.

 

[kaysmommie]

What can we really expect from dolls called Bratz? lol I won't buy them for my kids either. I guess I am strict compared to some parents. I won't let my kids watch Spongebob either. THey are trained... ewww, spongebob! He walks around in his underwear for crying out loud! lol

Oh, and I saw a Barbie doll wearing a bikini with a tattoo on her body. I was not impressed. I am NOT raising divas or hoochie mamas in training. WHen my dd was 3 and 4 she would always point out magazines or real living breathing girls and say to me, Mama, that girl needs more clothes! I was so proud! I'm not at the extreme where woman can't be attractive - I just don't think we have to show the world all our assets. Whatever happened to leaving something to the imagination or, more important, your husband?

I agree with you. But my DD6 likes bratz even though we don't buy them and don't own even one Bratz movie. They are ugly and wear Hoochie clothes. DD does have a baby bratz the little one. The bling thing has to go but they can learn that from other kids too. We stick to tasteful barbies and American girls in our house.

 

[kaysmommie]

I have no problems with her playing dolls, she has lots of barbies and American Girl dolls. However, I do not think Bratz babies should look like hootchie mamas! The part of the movie I did see, the little girls were dressed in mid shirts and underwear with their hair all wild and MAKEUP on- roaming the mall! That's the kind of image I want my 4 year old to see? If the dolls are marketed to 9-12 year olds, then why do they make Bratz babies? of course little girls are going to want them, the dolls are supposed to be their age. And in the cartoon that I have seen that is aired on Saturdays, there are two blonde girls that are popular and mean to all the other girls- how does that promote friendship???

My DD is only 4 and I want her to act like she is 4. I just don't get parents that let their little children act like teenagers. IMHO, she should enjoy being a little girl and not have to worry about what she wears and if she fits in or looks beautiful enough and that is the attitude/image these Bratz dolls portray.

Just wait until your little girl starts school. I'm in shock over the way parents raise their kids and let them act like teenagers at 6 yr. old. My DD is in first grade and I'm a class parent and some of the girls are so shallow already and worried about their weight and how manys boys like them. I'm just so freaked out by this. I want my DD to be 6 and have fun being a kid even though she wants to be like the other girls. I don't know what to do. Looks like Princesses will be on there way out soon. I try to steer DD towards girls that are like her, but that doesn't seem to work.

 

[Momof2princess]

I think it is everyone’s own personal opinion on this matter and what they feel comfortable with.
In my house my DD 7 does have Bratz and does have the movies...now with that said let me preface it with this is my personal opinion, I don't feel a movie series or dolls are going to corrupt my child. They are dolls and not real and she knows that. She simply sees them as a toy and they are fun to dress up and play with. We don't wear "hoochie" clothes and she has never asked for them.

I use my guidance with her to make her know what is acceptable and what is not. I am not always with her 24/7 and I cannot control everything that she sees and hears. But as her parent I do teach her right from wrong.

As parents we each have our own way of raising children and like it or not we have to respect the differences that each of us have....not necessarily like them just respect that everyone has different options.

 

[Mom2Rae]

My dd, 6, was given one for her 5th birthday and I immediately gave it away (donated). But, she did ask for the Bratz ice skating pond with the remote control for Christmas since she loves to ice skate. I looked it over and the Ice Skating Bratz are fully dressed and are depicting an activity that I enjoy and my DD so I did get her that.

I don't really like any of the other Bratz dolls and she's never even asked for any other one. And Barbies do absolutely NOTHING for her. She does love their movies, though. She is really into baby dolls and Pet Shop and most of her playdates are at our house so she isn't being exposed to things I really wouldn't approve of.

 

[noodleknitter]

Your daughter has the prettiest eyes!

My niece loves the little pet shop toys, too.

I guess that there are so many great toys/dolls that don't look like trollops, why encourage it? Girls are under so much pressure from society regarding their looks and their ideals. Eating disorders are rampant. Materialism rules. Why not aim for higher goals?

 

[Mom2Rae]

Thank You, Noodleknitter! She's My HEART!!

 

[jennifer293]

Luckily, I was never into Barbie and neither of my DD's are into Barbie or Bratz, they tend to lean more towards baby dolls or electronic games or DVD's. We did rent Bratz babies DVD a few weeks ago and they loved the movie (watched it probably 15 times before it was due back), but neither of them have asked for one..

 

[Allabtprincesses]

Just more input from another Mom who doesn't like the Bratz dolls! My biggest problem with them? They are called BRATZ!!The word Bratz is NOT a term of endearment! Why would I want my two DD to use that expression when I expect them not to behave like one!? I would not stop them from playing with these dolls at a friends house, but my close friends know how I feel about them and do not buy they for my children. I've watched a little bit of the Saturday Am cartoon and it is not suited for any child if you ask me. I'm not being high and mighty, I would just rather have my children play with Barbies and American Girl dolls.

 

[carrie s]

I dont buy my daughter(10) bratz either.She does sometimes play them at her friends house.
I dont want to buy my dd a toy where the dolls are dressed in a way that I would never allow my daugher to dress.Im trying to raise her to always dress modestly.Im not saying that all kids who play with bratz will dress that way when they get older.Im just trying to teach my dd certain values and bratz dolls dont go along with those values.

 

[Gymbomom]

I wanted to just put some words for thought out there......

If your child plays with baby dolls, views only children shows about children situations, etc. don't you think what THEY will think about is children things and situations.

IF you let your children watch teenage shows, teenage situations, etc. , don;t you think they will start to think more about teenage situations and LESS about what a child "should" be thinking about?
I think Bratzs, promotes teenage dress, actions, situations.....

I don;t want my dd to grow up before she is ready, or before i am ready for that matter. I want Samantha to think about dolls, and toys, and still want toys for Christmas as long as possible. If I start letting her watch all of the teenage shows out there, she will slowly lose interest in what a child needs to be interested in....which is being a CHILD.
My next door neighbor's dd is 8, and doesn't like to "play" any more. She wants to watch tv teenage shows, talk about boys, cheerleading, fashion, etc.....
I think this is SAD!

JMO!! Everyone knows their child best....this is just WHY I choose not to let my dd have Bratz.

 

[fakereadhed]

IF you let your children watch teenage shows, teenage situations, etc. , don;t you think they will start to think more about teenage situations and LESS about what a child "should" be thinking about?
I think Bratzs, promotes teenage dress, actions, situations.....

As a mom of a teen, I am curious what "teenage situations" you are referring to? Going to Girl Scouts and swim practice? Going to the mall with friends to buy earrings at Claires? Wearing makeup?


My girls played with them when they were younger. They dressed them up in crazy outfits(sometimes the guys clothes) and drove them around in the cars.I didn't see any harm in that.


As far as children emulating older kids and adults that is some of what doll play is about anyway. Just something to think about.

 

[Sabrina90744]

Ok, my daughter went on a "playdate" this past weekend and stayed at a friends house for a few hours. When I picked her up I asked her what she did and she said played with Bratz dolls and watched a Bratz movie. I really don't like the message these Bratz things are sending out, but I let this slide. This morning she picks out an outfit and decides that it is not "stylish" enough and she needs some "bling"!! She said she learned this from the Bratz movie. WTH? Do parents actually let their young daughters watch these shows and have these dolls??? I asked the mother at school this morning and she thought it was fine, she saw nothing wrong with it. I was mortified and told Athena she would no longer be allowed to watch anything Bratz or play with Bratz dolls ( this was the first time, they are not allowed in my house). She got mad and threw a tantrum, but I refuse to give in to this.

Am I overreacting or is there anyone else out there who agrees with me??

Your not alone, I call them Hoodratz, I refuse to buy them for my daughter!

 

[Off2DisIGo]

I call them Hoodratz

I can't stand those dolls, either. My DD5 isn't allowed to have them, althought luckily she hasn't expressed any interest yet. I don't want her playing w/ dolls that dress like Paris Hilton. She is not my idea of a role model.

 

[newtowdw1]

I hate the dolls too. Luckily, we have a rule. Nothing ugly in the house. Including clothes, toys, cartoons, etc.

I was never prouder than two years ago when dd looked at a sweater with 'bling' and pronounced it tacky! Go Maura

And I think kids need to play. DD at 9 still likes princesses, but she likes High School Musical too.

I just want her messages to be pleasant. The world is so ugly by itself that I want her to find beauty wherever she can.

 

[badblackpug]

The dolls ARE ugly, but hopefully no one out there actually considers dolls role models. I played with Barbies, my kids play with Barbies and Bratz. Give your kids some credit, they know that they are not real. My kids don't think just because Barbie has a mansion, a jet, a Ferrari, and a horse farm that they will get one, too. They also know that just because Yasmin is wearing a belly shirt or high heeled boots they are not going to be allowed to wear it, also. They are just toys, they don't really influence girls (or boys) values or morals. You do that. There was a time that people worried that letting boys play with dolls would make them catch "the gay." Give a little boy a Barbie...what does he do...cocks it's leg up and pretends its a gun!
My girls just think that Barbie and Bratz are glittery and fun. They can do their hair and change their outfits a million times, they can make them ride in a car to a ball. It's just pretend play and imagination.
We have veterinarien Barbie...none of the kids have tried to perform surgery on the dog!

 

[noodleknitter]

Different opinions. I think that anything that a child spends a great deal of time playing with or viewing is going to affect their personal view of life. You want one kind of view for your kids, I wanted another for my kids. That is what makes the world go around.