What do these toys teach?
Back when I was taking classes I learned in Psychology, Anthropology, and sociology that toys are ways of training children in the skills they will need to survive.
Now a days, "survive" is more like learning skills that will help to raise a family or earn dollars. Baby dolls are all about training mothers to be (or father's to be if you give your male child a baby doll). Toy guns teach gun children to feel comfortable around guns. Back in the day it was because each child would be expected to hunt for food, and defend the family. Today it is more about protecting the family, putting caps in asses, and military careers. Cars teach driving skills. Tools teach using tools. Leap frog learning pads teach not only the lessons they teach but comfort and skill using a computer, vital in today's job market.
This is all well and good known stuff with plenty of studies to back it up. Every toy teaches some sort of skill. Which brings me to my question. What do these Bratz dolls teach? For those of you who have been living under a rock this holiday season, these dolls are apparently "The" gift for girls this year.
As best as I can tell they teach girls to be proper jail bait. I suppose there is a place for this in the world. Girls will want to know how to attract boys, men and pedophiles and these dolls seem to do the trick.
I certainly wouldn't give one to my daughter. Here's a hint folks, if your 10 year old girl wants to wear hip hugger jeans and show off her belly button piercing, pert budding breasts, and tattoo by wearing a too tight halter top, don't expect much. Love the grandchildren, but don't expect much otherwise.
I guess the Bratz doll is a toy designed to teach little girls to breed.
Comments
Maybe the social dynamics of the various cliques that kids are exposed to?
Whatever happened to the classics, like Pogo-ball, Popples, Maxx Steele, Robotix and Capsula?
Posted by: Jeffrey | December 21, 2004 12:41 PM
I'd also like to point out that they come with accessories such as a credit card and Sushi Bar !!!!
Posted by: Cameron | December 21, 2004 12:46 PM
Just in case you didn't believe me
http://www.mgae.com/2004_product_pages/Products/Bratz/TokyoAGoGoSushi.asp
Posted by: Cameron | December 21, 2004 12:49 PM
Hehhehheh...great post! I think you hit the nail right on the head there: that in the past toys were a tool to socialize youngsters into the transition between child and young-adult, where the toy market today seems to socialize children into young-adolescents. I guess the Bratz folks sorta want to perpetuate their target market as long as possible. But the other cent in this, my two cents, is just a quick comment on the decline of toys in general. I count my blessings that I grew up in the early 80s, which produced a wonderful assortment of toys for boys: GI Joes, Transformers, Star Wars, Laser Tag (when it actually worked)...and to a lesser extent you had your GoBots and your unbendable WWF action figures. Last time I walked through a Toys R Us, I genuinely felt sorry for the kids today by comparison. Nowadays you've got six different toy companies making X-Men and Spider-Man action figures. If you think about it, it was the Hasbro action figures that spawned the successful cartoon series: me and my friends watched the GI Joe cartoon show because we collected the action figures. Is that what the kids today are missing?
Posted by: Rick | December 22, 2004 9:29 AM
Kids i remember when a toy car was an oatmeal box with tinker toy axles and wheels, What I am saying is toys or lack of use to simulate the imagination and creativity of kids, but that was back in the gaslight era. You do have some valid points. Forgive the ramblings of an old woman
Posted by: MOM | December 22, 2004 10:12 AM
Why dont you sad people get a life
Posted by: Leon c | March 30, 2006 8:19 AM
Hey cool, Leon C is obviously involved in the production/marketing of the Slutz Dolz.
Great to have you onboard.
Posted by: Woody Cavenaugh | March 30, 2006 11:24 AM