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Bratz v. Barbie (PIP, Info, Poll)
So, Bratz dolls are back (just in time for the holidays!). I've been reading some interesting commentary about this with perspectives from all sides, but clearly, here is where I come for my real interweb opinions. But, a few points worth sharing:
-- Many dislike Bratz because they're "too sexy"
-- Many think Bratz are better for "older" kids (fourth/fifth grade) whereas Barbie is better for "younger" kids (ages not mentioned)
-- Many think both are an equally bad influence
-- Many think that, considering the numerous other social influences, the dolls are not having an impact either way on girls.
Here's a visual of Barbie 2010:
(Am I the only one who thinks the second photo looks like a casting sheet from America's Next Top Model? That's the "back to basics" collection. The first is the "I Can Be A Bride" playset...)
And here's the new 2010 Bratz dolls:
So what do you all think? Those with kids, would you/do you let your children play with one over the other? Is one giving off a "better" image to little girls?
Re: Bratz v. Barbie (PIP, Info, Poll)
I dislike both for different reasons. Back to Basics Barbie just looks too mature to be any fun for a young girl. You're so right that it looks like a ANTM cast sheet. Bratz dolls seem to have this urban-sexy look to them w/ the makeup and clothes that I don't care for and wouldn't want my hypothetical child trying to emulate.
If I had to pick between the two, Barbie would win out because she looks classier to me. The Bratz outfits remind me of teenagers I've seen at the mall and wondered, "wtf is she wearing??".
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Bratz are sketchy. I've seen some in stores where the skirts are so short you can see whether or not the doll is wearing panties. Ditto pp about the make-up and what-was-she-thinking styles. I do think they're more cartoony with their anime eyes and giant heads, so girls might not take them seriously. Their bodies are so far out of proportion that I don't see anyone trying to emulate them (as far as body image), the way girls sometimes seem to think they need Barbie's measurements... BUT I think girls are more likely to try to dress like Bratz than Barbies. Which is so trashy.
The new Barbies look old to me (like Barbie is finally out of her 20s, got a high-paying job and lives in NYC or LA while trying out for ANTM on the side), but at the same time they kind of remind me of my mom's Barbies from the 50's and little kids played with those. I feel like Barbie is still a "fashion doll" for playing dress-up in an escapist/fantasy way b/c most of her clothes are not things that girls will want to wear until they are "grown-up". By which time they will have had lots of other influences on their fashion choices. Plus, a lot of the Barbies are fantasy characters - princesses, mermaids, fairies, etc. Obviously trashy Barbies exist, but I have yet to see a classy Brat.
I don't think I would stop my hypothetical kid from playing with either of these dolls, but I don't see myself buying Bratz. I may also be biased b/c I played with Barbies as a kid, and I think I turned out ok. Half the time I made the clothes myself anyway - wrapping Barbie's sheets like a toga, or tying tissues into skirts.
This.
We aren't into either (thank GOD!)
My daughter has a few Barbies of course, but they're of the mermaid or ballerina variety.
I will not allow Bratz in my house, I think they look like trashy little skanks! lol
Probably some truth to this - but I'm still going to agree with everyone else, yeah Barbie has the completely skewed body image but Bratz dolls look ghetto and skanky and I think that's a lot worse.
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