Are Barbie and Bratz dolls appropriate for little girls?

Rating: 0 after 1 vote

My daughters are growing up fast and with it are the changing preference for toys. My eldest (turning 5 this year) has some growing fondness with dress-up dolls like Polly Pocket, and I`d like to get her some more dolls for her afternoon tea party ensemble (the stuffed puppies and teddy bears are getting old). Barbies and Bratz seem interesting, but I get the impression that its too sexy and mature. I had a couple of barbie dolls when I was a little girl but I wouldn't know if it was good for me, like was I really aware if it helped or changed me. Now that I'm a mother, its a different story...verging to feeling anxious; or am I being trivial about these toys. What's your view on this?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carla Ekman on February 22, 2009 at 1:32pm: I never liked the Bratz girls at all. But love the Barbies. I played with them and my daughter did too. Of course there are the critics - but we loved them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy on February 26, 2009 at 11:22pm: While I think Barbie is great, I have to say Bratz are not. I was watching a video with my neice and they are so mean and cruel. Definitely not good for little girls. HTH; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Branco on February 26, 2009 at 11:22pm: I struggle with this too - my daughter is about to turn 5 (!) and she's quite taken with the Disney princesses. This is interesting since we don't have much for her to go on around here, but school will do that.

I personally find the Bratz dolls ugly and trashy looking - I don't really get what kind of appropriate make-believe play they would encourage. As for Barbies (and I'm including the princess/fairy type dolls here too), she enjoys playing make-believe with them and has fun dressing them up. I'm ok with that - especially since lots of times, it's the princesses who wear the pants and do all of the saving. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Sivik on February 27, 2009 at 8:18am: I have three daughters. My oldest two (17 and 14) used to play with these dolls. My third daughter who's 10 does not. But, once in a while my son who's 8 will. I used to play with dolls and I'm ok. I agree, there are critics out there but I think it's ok. They do have boobs but that's a fact of life. I'd be more concerned about what they watch on tv.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Liz S on February 27, 2009 at 1:42pm: I personally think they're both quite revolting. But ban them and they'll want them more. Just go with the flow and they'll soon grow out of them. My daughter went through a pink and Barbie phase with absolutely no encouragement from my husband or myself and she's come out the other side - and I think she's fine!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna E on February 27, 2009 at 6:28pm: I grew up with Barbie & her crew,but never felt a real connection to them.I really enjoyed an older version of a Midge doll(barbie's friend)as she had reddish brown hair and pink/white skin! We also played with the sunshine family dolls,and those little Dawn dolls! I'm sure I'm showing my age,but I did have more fun with the old Midge & the little Dawn dolls. For wholesome family fun the Sunshine family was good also. My Malibu Barbie got her har singed off on Christmas day afternoon! Her overly tanned skin didn't make her feel real to me! Now that I have a wee little princess,I have discovered Only Hearts Club Girls,they have a great message to pass on to the girls,and they are safe,dres more like the age that will play with them,and are way more bendable.They've got story books too!Target carries some,or find them online @ www.Onlyheartsclub.com They've got little sisters for some of them as well,even some little boys which work for me as my little girl has a twin brother! I like them and won't be bringing barbie or her crew home,forget about bratz,they don't send any message I want my kids getting! Just my opinion.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nina on March 11, 2009 at 11:02pm: Your comments are so valid and compelling. I took a closer look and realized, yeah, Barbie is indeed preferable and more wholesome than Bratz. Although, in fairness, are both adorable. Moreso, Barbie is more fun with its variety of characters.

I checked-out Donna E's suggestion for Only Hearts Club dolls - its awesome!!! Its one of the best dolls that I could give my kids.. Its contemporary yet very sweet and enduring. I'm so glad we have it here in Toronto. I'm getting some for my daughters for their birthdays this year. Thanks! I suggest the other moms see it too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by yadayada6 on March 12, 2009 at 7:56am: I use to allow Bratz dolls, but no longer. I have issues with dolls looking like hookers and my 3 daughters wanting to emulate them. Barbies are okay; we are kinda into collecting them of late.

That's my two cents worth this morning.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tamara on March 12, 2009 at 12:28pm: my daughter had both..bratz and barbies..she ended up playing with snakes..and the boxes the dolls came in were her snakes homes..yuck I know!! but..it was funny until one got lose in my house.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nina on March 27, 2009 at 9:32pm: Hehe! She must have been a bit of a tomboy. Its cool that she found something unconventional - must be a genius. :)

Tamara said:
my daughter had both..bratz and barbies..she ended up playing with snakes..and the boxes the dolls came in were her snakes homes..yuck I know!! but..it was funny until one got lose in my house.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nina on March 27, 2009 at 9:36pm: I tried collecting, too. It was like my own sorority when I was growing up. Pretty fun! But when Nintendo Super Mario came, they all got boxed up.

yadayada6 said:
I use to allow Bratz dolls, but no longer. I have issues with dolls looking like hookers and my 3 daughters wanting to emulate them. Barbies are okay; we are kinda into collecting them of late.

That's my two cents worth this morning.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Colormepink on May 1, 2009 at 12:45pm: I'm not a big fan of Bratz either. My daughter had some when she was little and she wanted to dress like them. I had to take a good look at all the toys and while we didn't get rid of them completely, we did get rid of some of the outfits. Barbie didn't bother me as much, but we never bought into having every accessory for them.; ▶ Reply to This