Oh, I know...where have I been!! It's a good thing I don't depend on this for my income, right? Well, it's been a bit of a crazy time the past, um, 6 months, but I'm back and going to work on being a little more consistent....but here's what's really sparked me today...
To all fellow mothers out there, and hell, even aunts and cousins...have you seen the new doll rage out there? Monster High dolls are what I'm talking about, and while I am generally ok with the unusual, I was a definitely disturbed when I saw one. This Saturday is my nieces 7th birthday, and I'm one for getting whatever it is she wants..toys, clothes, whatever...and when my sister told me about the Monster High dolls, I thought "Oh, cute". Then I saw one, in person, and let me assure you my outrage has nothing to do with the theme of the dolls. It has to do with the fact that they look emaciated. Yes, I said emaciated. The overly large head starts it, and even the shaping of the body (which is of course stylized) that you can see because of the skimpy clothing (not quite as outraged about that, but still disturbed). The whole appearance of it just brought to mind images of someone who was suffering from an eating disorder, which needless to say is very upsetting.
Now, I'm sure that some people would say that I'm being ridiculous, that it's a toy, and harmless...but really, is this the image we want our daughters, nieces, cousins, or any child to be influenced by? Because whether or not we believe it, they will be. I mean, who wasn't influenced by Barbie? At least a little?
So I refuse to buy one..it's hard enough being an adult who doesn't fit into what society calls the "norm" of body shape and size, there is no way in hell I'm going to contribute to it for a seven year old...and while there are people out there who may say it doesn't matter, I'm not going to take any chances that it could.
