From the American Girl Doll people.

Save Girlhood

From the New York Times:

Further enticing the jaundiced urban or suburban mother, American Girl has introduced a Save Girlhood campaign on a Web site, savegirlhood.com, which opens with a mini-manifesto: "The way we see it, girls are growing up too fast. From every angle, today's girls are bombarded by influences pushing them toward womanhood at too early an age - at the expense of their innocence, their playfulness, their imagination."

Their thing, is that the American Girl Dolls, dress like girls, not like grown-up wannabees.

I know the American Girl dolls are exepensive, but my kids loved playing with them, when they were younger. Neither one of my kids currently, would want a Bratz doll, even if they were in the marketing demographic.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:52 am:

Though I've never bought dolls before, I expect I will be doing so in the future. I completely agree with the statement, and have thought so for years. It is so frustrating when I see that so many of the clothes for 9 and up, and even younger, look like the clothes that "sluts" wore just 10-20 years ago.

I know my son agrees that little girls should stay little girls for as long as possible - I don't know how my dil feels but I know I will find out.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

I agree too, Ginny!

By Kate on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 07:07 pm:

My DDs aren't into dolls at all, but my nine year old has all the books for each character and loves them. She also loves the AG body books, manners books, advice books, etc. Those are truly worth buying for anyone who doens't realize AG publishes books OTHER than the series on the six girls. Their website is a lot of fun for my DD, and she will be getting a subscription to their magazine (about girls, not the book characters) for her tenth birthday. Ginny, they make 'Bitty Baby' which you can buyer sooner, rather than later, for baby Brooke.

By Tink on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 07:08 pm:

I really like the American Girls dolls. My oldest has one and has read several of the different characters' series. They are entertaining, wholesome and educational. Luckily, my 8yo has been able to hold onto her innocence and chooses to dress modestly. She loves sports and her clothes reflect that, lots of comfy tracksuits and jeans with sweatshirts. She understands why her dad and I don't allow her to dress like some of her friends. Some of their skirts or bare-bellied shirts are more fit for an 18yo with plans for a night on the town than an 8yo playing on the monkeybars.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 07:56 pm:

Yet, how many young girls show up at the school where I work, with shirts that barely cover their tummies, or clogs that don't stay on, when you are swinging, or make it hard to play jumprope.

My kids choose to dress modestly, too.

I have read all the books for the original 5 American Girl Dolls. I know they have more dolls now, but my kids got older and don't read them anymore, so the books aren't around, like they used to be.

By Nicki on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 08:55 pm:

Being a mom of a three year old little girl, this thread really caught my attention. I so agree with the statement. And a trip to the toy store reflects how true it is. Personally I hope my daughter never owns or desires a "Bratz" doll. I'm not sure if I'm really to an extreme on this, but I felt funny when my dd received a Barbie and her many accessories for her second birthday. She seemed a bit young to me, but I resisted the urge to tuck Barbie away and let her play with the doll. As is turned out, my dd isn't interested in Barbies, but she's had more fun with the car that came with her, lol. Many a stuffed animal has had a ride in it!

I guess I'm wondering, how do we as mom's control what our girls are exposed to from peers? I mean, as much as I dislike the idea of a Bratz doll in my dd's collection of toys, I can see where it would be hard if her best friend had one, and my dd wanted one as a result, do you know what I mean?

Dawn, I am really impressed with how your girls seem to be turning out. A lot of the reason I'm sure is because of the type of mom you are, and based on what I've learned about you in your posts, you are a really good mom. I sure hope I have the same success with my little one!

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:03 pm:

I can't tell you what it is I specifically did, though! I just know that as Sarah hit middle school, one of the girls in her Sunday school class was trying to grow up way too fast. It was the way she dressed and the way she acted, etc. I'm so glad Sarah never really became friends with her. I know that when Sarah went to confirmation camp, between 6th and 7th grade, that that girl was all about boys and makeup, etc. Sarah and the girl she was good friends with, just didn't participate in those conversations that much. Sarah still really isn't into boys and makeup. She is more concerned about getting to concerts with the groups she likes and getting good grades.