Finally, a Doll!

Here's a doll I like. I've been seeing a lot of toys for girls lately while Christmas shopping for my nieces. My mom suggested that both girls (sisters, 2 & 5) like Groovy Girls. I've been scared to look at what a Groovy Girl is for fear of just another big-headed, emaciated body with far too much makeup and lip/cheekbone surgery for anyone let alone what is supposed to be a little girl. The skimpy outfits and platform shoes sexualize the girl dolls and just really really piss me off. I am scared for little girls growing up with these images. Answering to a friend who asked, during a Bratz rant, "What's wrong with girls thinking about sexuality?" I think Bratz dolls are not so much responsible for heightened awareness of sexuality (short skirts and platform heels with plumped up lips and over-sized eyes is not necessarily sexual), but of girls thinking about their own appearance in a comparative way and questioning how they feel about their own face and body. Granted, I played with Barbie Dolls until I finally packed them up at age 14, but I can't help but feel that Bratz dolls have just gone TOO far. I see little girls wearing make up at younger and younger ages; fashion seems to be a big concern for some 5 year olds (or their parents, who are buying the stuff), and it just seems rare to see a 12 year old not plastered in make up. My partner and I saw two girls about grade 6 the other day on a venture out to the mall and these girls had glasses, no makeup, wore clothes that didn't scream "Trend" and were just busy having fun being kids. They looked happy in their bodies. It was so refreshing and we both noticed what a rarity in the place surrounded by more pre-teen foundation and lipstick than I could comprehend. I couldn't help but thinking of these make-up fashion fiends, "you have so much time..."

So back to Groovy Girls. These dolls have my vote! They have simple, realistic-sized eyes and a simple line smile on their soft plump faces (and they actually have ears!). Their bodies are soft, supple, and realistic in the sense that these girls actually appear to have flesh without the starvation and botox. I breath a sigh of relief for my nieces, a proud feminist auntie who is going to get on the phone and thank their parents for raising such cool kids!

P.S. Groovy Girls gets a standing ovation from me for having a couple groovy guys as well! If they added more boys to the line this could be a very successful gender-friendly line of toys that also boasts a huge range of variety of styles, from Punk Rock to Prissy, as well as race.