You just read that title right. This AM on “The Today Show”, there was an animated discussion about whether or not this new toy was a blessing or a mistake. A poll revealed that 76% were against this doll. However, the displeasure appeared to be the age old argument about breast feeding as a natural part of life!
I was shocked that not one word was mentioned about how pronatalistic it is to insist on giving a little girl a doll in the first place. Now, they have a doll that when placed over a fitted bib, can imitate a sucking movement with a gurgling sound at a little girls breast! Doesn’t anyone see how dangerous this is? It’s not about breast feeding vs bottle feeding. In my opinion, it’s telling little girls mothering is in their future. It should be that a doll is just a toy and that mothering is a choice they can make when they are older!
I was thrilled when parents started giving boys dolls. How could they use this one?
I…just….what?!
Oy!
*walks away*
I’ll be back when I can formulate an intelligent response. Be right back. Weeping for humanity.
Hats off to wheeovr wrote this up and posted it.
Well put, sir, well put. I’ll crteianly make note of that.
OK, I’m back. I think I can be coherent.
It’s stuff like this that makes me grateful for gender-neutral toys. As if the current marketing ploys aimed at little girls aren’t bad enough(“Girl’s World” aisles at Toys R Us, Easy-Bake ovens, “Princess” merchandising far beyond the Disney Princesses, et al) they are even more pigeon-holed into the Mommy role more than ever before. Wait. “Imprisoned” in the mommy role is a better choice of words.
I can just hear the breast v. bottle factions loading their weapons, but this isn’t about breast vs. bottle. It’s about relentless, pronatalist marketing. By it’s very design, the doll excludes boys who happen to like dolls, sending the implicit message that doll play isn’t appropriate for boys because males can’t nourish their young.
Pronatalist, sexist, and just plain wrong.
Thhougt it wouldn’t to give it a shot. I was right.
Good piotns all around. Truly appreciated.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Thanks! How did this help you? It helps others to share what you learned and gives me more ideas on what to write.
Great thinking! That really berkas the mold!
Stellar work there everyone. I’ll keep on reiadng.
Wow Excellent blog!
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for a related topic, your website came up, it looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
you’ve got an excellent blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog?