Posted on 09/26/2006 2:45:54 PM PDT by DaveLoneRanger
With fashion dolls decked out in knee-high boots, mini-skirts and midriff baring shirts a common sight these days, a new survey finds a majority of mothers believe many toy dolls available for young girls today are too provocative.
The survey, released on Monday, said these mothers would like to see more wholesome, age-appropriate characters and role models for their daughters.
The survey was commissioned by AG Properties, which owns the more conservative Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Holly Hobbie properties.
It had an interest in finding out the survey's results because Mattel Inc. is making a Holly Hobbie & Friends toy line this year based on their blue-bonnet Holly Hobbie character, which was originally developed in 1967.
The survey was conducted by research firm Synovate, which polled 1,010 mothers with daughters four to nine years old.
It found that 90 percent of moms surveyed believe there are not enough wholesome role models, celebrities, characters and brands for young girls to emulate.
It also found that 80 percent of moms think there are too many dolls available for young girls that are inappropriate because they are too provocative and/or over-sexualized.
The results come as Bratz, the edgy, pouty-lipped dolls made by privately held MGA Entertainment have become wildly popular since bursting on to the scene in 2001, stealing market share from Mattel's iconic Barbie doll.
Bratz have been the subject of criticism for their styles, but MGA defends the dolls, saying they represent fantasy for little girls and not reality.
"The kids and the mothers look at them for what they are -- beautiful dolls," said MGA CEO Isaac Larian. "When we talk to kids, they don't think they're provocative. They think they're beautiful."
Bratz are not the only flashy dolls on the market. While Mattel will be making the Holly Hobbie dolls, it also makes My Scene "Bling Bling Barbie Doll" -- a doll that wears a low-cut, navel-revealing silver tank top and micro-mini skirt.
"Not everyone is going to love everything we do, but I can feel proud that I have a 5-year-old girl and I don't believe that anything we're doing is something that supersedes what I'm teaching her," said Chuck Scothon, general manager and senior vice president of girls at Mattel Brands, of the toy maker's line of dolls.
Of the mothers surveyed, 85 percent said they are "tired of the 'sexpot' dolls/characters" currently available and nine out of 10 moms wish there was a wider selection of dolls that were positive role models for young girls.
But if more wholesome dolls are available, it does not necessarily mean mothers will purchase them.
When buying a doll for their daughter, 75 percent of moms surveyed said their daughter's request for the doll was one of the most important factors influence their purchasing decision, said Jim Forrest, vice president of consumer and business insights at Synovate.
The survey was conducted between August 15 and August 20. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

No they aren't. They are little hoochie dolls, and they are not allowed in my house.
I have three little girls, and they dress and behave like little girls, not like tiny whores.
Good for you.
susie
American Girl dolls are also very popular. They are realistic and respectable.
I don't have daughters, but if I did, the AG dolls would have a place in our home, but never the Bratz. They're just stupid looking.
Although AG dolls are more expensive than Bratz, they seem to be better quality.

Good for you!
I'm still trying to figure out. If 90% don't like the dolls, why are they still marketable? Obviously somebody's buying them.
There's a lot of white trash out there, and they don't take polls.

*gack*
Beautiful dolls, great books.
http://www.alifeoffaith.com/
Oh, wait, I guess they DO take exit polls. : )
You are comparing a $10 doll with a $87 doll. They are not the same type of toy.
I would Dhue her.
*Frowns*
I've never seen male Bratz, so I'm not sure how that works.
That wasn't punny?
They should call them Slutz - that would be truth in advertising!
Just because Mom doesn't like them, doesn't mean she's not buying them. Most people buy their kids whatever they want, and then complain about it to survey-takers.
Good for you!!!!! I hope by the time your girls get of HS age the clothing styles for the girls will be more modest.
My 23 yo son worked as a sub in the HS and he was wondering if parents bothered to look at their daughters before school in the morning. He said "most of the girls dressed like whores" his words not mine.
Wow, that pic of Clintoon and Arafat...it deserves it's own 'Caption This Pic' thread...!
"Please Bill, let me smoke your cigar."
LOL
Bratz = Crack whores in a box

Ha-ha, I bet you were hoping they didn't exist. ;-P
Just in case G.I. Joe decides to get in touch with his feminine side...
They look weird. I really can't see why a little girl would want one.
I'm *LOL* at the way you said that.
And GI Joe is too muscular and gun-prone for boys??
I'm going to pee in my chair if this thread makes me laugh any harder!
Ever wonder why the Bratz doll has no nose?
It's because Barbie slapped it right off her face.
You mean the Slutz dolls? When my older daughter turned four, she wanted Barbies, and she only got them because other children gave her birthday presents.
No one gave my younger daughter any Slutz dolls when she turned four - I think the other mothers, who grew up with Barbies, think the Slutz have gone way too far.
Mrs VS
The ironic thing is the exact same things were said when Barbie first came out as the first mass market doll with actual breasts and a woman's figure, and now Barbie is a respite for people complaining about the new dolls.
Any Bratz dolls that are given to my girls as gifts go right in the trash if they can't be returned.
I have always despised the name Bratz. Lovely.
you're obviously confused...it's Barbie that's the porn star...actually a replica german sex toy, complete with silicon looking implants...on never mind she's all plastic. The bratz dolls are mere cartoons of teens, and their breasts are normal size....now their heads are completely out of proportion. Do porn stars have large heads?
Exactly what I thought. Kind of like, Elvis and the Beatles used to be abhorrent rock music. Now they're classic havens from the (c)rap and heavy metal.
No Barbies or Bratz in my house. Although they do get the Disnet Princesses which are basically Barbies, but without the emphasis on clothes and accessories which tend to open a big old can a worms. Bratz....well that says it all.
You've GOT to be kidding me...back when we were kids, Midge (the doll we had who was "friends with Barbie") had breasts that would be considered enhanced for sure in today's society! My doll, Skipper, was the flat chested little sister and you KNEW who the grown up dolls were and who weren't!
Laurie Dhue is not a skank like Paris Hilton is.
five year olds should be playing with baby dolls...luckily my daughter didn't watch tv...so she didn't know there were any options. American girl dolls are lovely, but look too similar for my taste...my daughter disagreed. Now, girls between nine and eleven are a different story, they clearly seek out drama. At that point I think any kind of character doll that has many outfits would keep them busy, whether it's porno barbie, or the cartoonier bratz...
anyone remember this doll
MA List? Baby dolls don't fit in a world of future feminists.
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