Thankfully, my daughter has not entered the world of Bratz (with the exception of a toothbrush). Recently, Mothering.com asked readers to take action on this over sexy product. According to Mothering.com, “The Bratz—whose wardrobes include miniskirts, fishnet stockings, and bikinis—were recently singled out the by American Psychological Association for contributing to the sexualization of young girls.” Bratz is marketed in schools through Scholastic via their book fairs and book clubs. If you feel this is inappropriate, please click here to tell Richard Robinson, President and CEO of Scholastic Inc., that commercially- driven, sexualized stereotypes do not belong in our schools.
Furthermore, Bratz dolls are produced in a sweatshop in China. Women are forced to work seven days a week, 94.5 hours a week for $4.13 a day. Furthermore, according to the National Labor Committee, “The factory wants to fire all the workers and then bring them back as temporary workers with contracts of just one to eight months, which would strip them of any legal rights they might have. As it is, the workers are denied sick days as well as work injury and health insurance.” These workers are paid about 17 cents per doll they assemble, bringing the total cost of production to $3.01 per doll. In this country, the dolls are marked up 428 percent for retail sale. More bad news about Bratz from the National Labor Committee:
* Workers denied work injury and health insurance, in direct violation of China’s law.
* Taking a sick day results in loss of three days’ wages.
* Workers failing to meet their production goals must remain working—unpaid—until the target is met.
* Ten workers share a small dorm room, sleeping on metal bunk beds. There is no shower or TV.
* If a worker breaks a doll, she is docked five hours’ wages.
Toys like this make me happy I have two boys!
Personally, I don’t understand the huge appeal of these dolls. Their oversized heads just make them look ugly. I have two daughter’s and thankfully they haven’t asked for one yet but I’m dreading the day when it comes. One of my friends has a five year old daughter that passed with flying colors when her turn came. She went to the mall with her grandfather by herself and when he asked if she would like one, replied that they were “ugly and demeaning to women”. Which in a huge sense, they are. My husband and I are still debating Barbie but even he said no Bratz were allowed in the house.
my younger daughter loves these toys.
thanks for sharing
BRAVO for this post, and bravo to Mothering.com!
I just wrote my letter to the company president. I honestly doubt that it will make a lot of difference to them, though, as Scholastic seems more than willing to throw goodwill out the window for cash.
We will be approaching our local school board about this matter.
In my opinion and that of all of the mothers I know is that these are awful images for our children to see and none of the parents I know allow these dolls in their homes.
I guess the part that bothers me more than any other is that Scholastic is pushing (resisting the urge to use another word here) these on little girls in a mandatory setting.
Not going to school isn’t an option for children, so the idea that innocent children will be exposed to non-educational, harmful, sexualized false images that destroy self-esteem in a captive atmosphere is sickening.
Barbie was one thing, but the Bratz dolls take it up a notch. I signed the petition as well. Every voice counts! Unfortunately, these dolls send out a conflicting message and it’s asinine to defend them on the grounds that the characters are models of friendship, loyalty and community service. They are playing on the fact that sex sells!
The sweat shop argument just sealed the deal. There will be no Bratz in my house.
Bratz aren’t THAT bad! Barbies have big chest and TINY waists. So what if Bratz SOMETIMES have mini-skirts and big heads? What’s wrong with big heads?
Besides, Bratz dolls have many movies about friendship. Most barbies movies are about fantasy and kids love the, yes. But the true meaning of friend-ship? Found is Bratz Movies.
I’m sorry to upset you all but this is just my opinion, and I love Bratz dolls. Give them a break!
To Jade:
At least Barbie looks real! And the only reason why Bratz keep making movies about friendship is because that’s the only thing they can go on. Their teen-age sluts with no job, but Barbie has one. So in other words friendship is the only thing they can go on.
Bratz (hence the name)are slutty human alien hybrids that make the life of the American Teen seem like it’s all perfect and so spoiled . Also at least Barbie has a job and feet. Girls who play with Bratz Dolls freak out when they lose one shoe/foot. But for the girls who play with Barbie once they lose a shoe they say ” oh well, at least she still has her feet.”
P.S. No don’t give them a break! Why can’t they tone them down!
okay well personally I have to agree with Lauren because a doll will not influence who you grow up to be only you can determin who you are or what you are going to be
Why does the media focus on sweatshops only when they want to…Most everything we wear, play with, and furnish our homes with have some part at some time in a sweatshop in some part of the world…and if they really want to get technical and dirty about it there are plenty right here too! Just like in politics when they’re ready to discredit something or someone they put all the secrets out here for us to see and continue showing the good in other products or people…thats probably the only reason I’m supporting the ugly dolls lol I’m tired of our gov’t/media stepping in to influence our thoughts on everything when it’s supposed to be such a democracy out here, let the people think for themselves, we’re smart too
This is why there is so many problems with self-esteem. We are totally responsible. Please stop criticizing if you don’t like it fine move on. Buy your perfect barbies. Live it alone and instead of signing petitions for what not to sell on dolls go find something to do like helping so many people that need the help, feeding hungry children. Stop this so not important.
Oh this is just silly. With this i think there is no wrong and right answer, if some parents think Bratz dolls are okay for their kids that’s fine. If some parents think that they’re a bit too mature for their children that’s their own thoughts. I do find some of their wardrobe a bit too sexy (The Tiny Skirts, Anything Fishnet, ect.) but in my opinion i think “Hey, as long as you dont wanna turn tricks on Hollywood Blvd. i dont care what you do with these dolls, Mmkay kid?”. I may be wrong, I may be right, we wont know. Some people just think diffrently. *Everyone just thinks diffrently.
I honestly dont see the big deal. Its a doll, not a real person. Its stupid, and I have had about 14 of these dolls since I was 3. I turned out good, I mean I dont dress like a hoar and I certainly dont act like one.
!re you people stupied, Barbie was ariginated by a porn star tv cartoon show in germany in 1959. Oh and also if you come up with this how do you not know Barbie does the same thing. Personaly i hate barbie and wish they would retire her. Every year her cloths get more sluttish.One time my sister got a barbie doll and it was a cheerleader. Under the mini skirt (my sister said) was a thong! WHAT A SLUTTY DOLL MATTEL MAKES BARBIE OUT TO BE! Why cant Barbie stop being so self centered?
This is why some of the most popular kids toys are those that are realistic miniatures of adult machines. Hence, it is not a surprise to have remote control Lamborghini model car, or a new variety of Barbie included in the list of latest popular kids toys in online sites like Buildings Blocks Toys. With an ever expanding range of kids toys available parents are having a hard time deciding what is best to buy.