Are "Bratz" Appopriate for Preschoolers?
A new Bratz movie, Bratz: Girlz Rock will be released on DVD Tuesday, September 2. The movie, which according to the press materials has a suggested age of 3 and up, has once again opened the debate on whether or not the dolls, movies and other assorted toys and accessories are appropriate for young children. (My colleague, Carey Bryson, Guide to Kids Movies and TV does a complete review of this latest offering.)
Dressed in tight clothing, lots of makeup and big hair, the dolls are a far cry from the Barbie dolls of my youth, although Barbie raised her share of eyebrows (and continues to do so). Educators and child development experts are concerned the dolls encourage little girls to grow up too fast and focus on things like their own body image -- something they shouldn't be thinking about yet. They also point out that the Bratz could have a negative affect on how boys eventually perceive women by skewing their image of what a normal girl should look like. Supporters of the dolls say they promote creativity and diversity.
As much as my 5-year-old eyes the products as we walk through the store, we don't allow Bratz and their myriad wares in our house. She's too impressionable and I think the dolls offer too narrow of an image of what girls should look like. She loves to play dress up and on occasion I'll even allow her to dabble with little-girl makeup, but it's on the terms that I set and that her own imagination creates, not based on some emulation of a doll she's too young for.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Take our poll and post your opinion on Bratz in the comments section!
I think Bratz dolls are too mature for girls who are young enough to play with dolls period.
My five-year-old knows that I will not buy them. When we see them in the store, she makes token comments about how they look rediculous and she doesn’t like them, but I see her staring at them. They are so glittery and pretty, it’s no wonder girls go ga ga over them.
I definitely agree though, that the dolls feed into the idea that girls need to look and act sexy to be cool or popular. This over-emphasis on appearance, especially that type of appearance, is not good for boys or girls. The dolls take fashion and makeup too far, and this movie goes even beyond that. It is irresponsible for the producers to have made such a movie directed at children.
It seems to me that the Bratz dolls are more enticing to 12-year-old boys than 5-year-old girls. But that’s just me speaking from the experience of having been one.
I think it’s ridiculous to not let a child play with a toy. It’s just a doll, and dolls are harmless. It’s a piece of plastic that’s pretty and fun to play and dress up. What’s the harm in letting a girl play with a doll that’s attractive? I feel like assuming that just because the best selling dolls have “unreasonable standards” girls will have poor self image is taking it too far. I know from my own experience that I would have much rather played with a fashionable, well made-up, attractive doll than some disgusting, overly-feminist, slightly-chubby, poorly dressed object. There’s absolutely no fun in that, and no one would buy them either. Also, girls like to look pretty! There’s no harm in wanting to look your personal best, even at a young age. No 3 year old child is seriously going to go out in make up, anyway.
Nika: Sorry to make assumptions, but that comment sounds like it’s coming from someone who doesn’t have a 3-5 year old daughter. If you think little girls like those dolls but don’t want to be like those dolls, I think you’re giving way too much credit to the analytical mind of a preschooler. I can tell you I think it’s a shame that my 5 year old has zipped right past the princesses of Disney and is now all about High School Musical. Even though that looks harmless from the outside, her fascination with Sharpee has me a bit concerned. Saying that there’s “no harm in wanting to look your best, even at a young age” is fine, but even as you admit, these dolls look the way they do to attract others, and no 3, 4, or 5 year old should be ready for that.