Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Claire McCarthy, M.D.: Is Your Family Ready for a Disaster?
HooplaHa: WATCH: Shari Alyse: Showing What Kids Can Teach Us
Barbie Banned in West Virginia?
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
It's such a shame that, after 50 years, yet another Barbie boycott is on the horizon. Sure, generations of parents have refused to forgive the doll's blatant disregard for real women's figures. But here's one lawmaker in West Virginia ready to take the burden of banning Barbie off of parents and onto the state. Lincoln County Delegate Jeff Eldridge has introduced legislation that would outlaw the sale of Barbie dolls in his state.
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Eldridge's colleague, Kanawha County Delegate Nancy Peoples Guthrie, appreciates his concern but doesn't think his bill stands a chance. "I think that it's nice to have a male member of the House of Delegates worried about women's image and what they're supposed to do or what they think they're supposed to do to succeed," she says. "My sense is that this is probably not a bill that's going to pass." Ya think?
If we are going to start banning the sale of playthings that send the wrong message to girls, why stop with Barbie? Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five other contenders for the worst dolls ever.
Bratz. With creepy detachable feet, oversized heads and blown up lips, these dolls make Barbie look downright plain. The slight resemblance of the two dolls didn't escape Mattel's notice. Last December a California judge ruled for an immediate stop production and recall. Mattel was awarded $100 million for copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Sunshine Caylee. Thanks to public outrage, this morbid little doll has yet to hit the shelves. Intended as a tribute to slain Caylee Anthony, it instead fueled protests, petitions and a collective gasp of horror that sent Showbiz Promotions back to the drawing board. "We're going to see if we can present it in a more classy and sensitive fashion," says the company's president.
Hello Kitty. She started out innocent enough, but over the years her reputation has suffered. Once a sweet little feline popular for her stickers and lunchboxes, she can now be found promoting sexy lingerie, men's underwear and even guns. In her latest incarnation, she is a "sexy siren" pushing cosmetics for MAC.
American Girl. I know they are supposed to "celebrate a girl's inner star", but what they really do is separate the haves from the have-nots. At about $100 each, a parent could spend a small fortune on a collection that doesn't even include outfits, hair appointments (for real) and best friends. The books are great. The dolls, not so much.
Webkinz. As a parent who has given in to the Webkinz whine more times than I care to admit, I long for the day when these furry little things fall out of favor. Once that tag is off and the new acquisition is logged in online, the toys themselves cease to be of any use whatsoever. Unless you consider dust-collecting useful.
Can you add to our Worst Doll List?
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Eldridge's colleague, Kanawha County Delegate Nancy Peoples Guthrie, appreciates his concern but doesn't think his bill stands a chance. "I think that it's nice to have a male member of the House of Delegates worried about women's image and what they're supposed to do or what they think they're supposed to do to succeed," she says. "My sense is that this is probably not a bill that's going to pass." Ya think?
Trouble in Toy Land
Barbie In 1989, the Barbie Liberation Organization took Mattel to task for their Teen-Talk Barbie, which intoned the infamous words, "Math is hard." To teach Mattel a lesson, they switched dozens of Teen-Talk Barbie voice boxes with those from Talking Duke G.I. Joe dolls.
Getty Images
Bratz Although the low-rise jeans-wearing dolls are meant for girls between the ages of 7 to 12-years-old, preschool girls have been toting these luscious-lipped curvaceous toys, causing an outrage among parents and toy watchdog groups. In 2006, a Harvard group, in collaboration with Dads and Daughters, pressured Hasbro to stop production on a Bratz line based on the super-sexy girl group Pussycat Dolls in 2006.
Getty Images
Easy-Bake Oven A popular toy since the '50s, you'd think that Hasbro would've gotten the kinks out of the play oven by now. In July 2007 the toy company recalled the new version of the oven after more than 200 kids got their fingers stuck in the oven's door and 77 kids reported being burned from the device.
AP
Aqua Dots It's never a good idea to eat your toys, especially if they're Aqua Dots. In 2007, there were several cases of kids vomiting or falling into a coma after ingesting the beads. And, scientists found that the toy's coating contained a chemical that turns into the "date rape" drug Rohypnol after digestion. The arts and crafts beads were pulled off U.S. shelves immediately after the discovery.
AP
Scrabulous When RJ Softwares developed Scrabulous for Facebook it attracted a half-million players daily, prompting Scrabble maker Hasbro to slap the India-based company with a fat lawsuit claiming Scrabulous stole "intelligent software" including the game's trademark name. (The suit has since been dropped.)
Getty Images
Super Columbine Massacre RPG When tragedy hits, it's usually a good idea to downplay it and let wounds heal--not create a video game about the disaster. Despite the negative reaction by the survivors and victims' families, the game is still available online.
AP
Tickle Me Elmo In 2006, love for Tickle Me Elmo turned ugly at a Target in Tampa, Fla., when a man threatened another customer with his life. The guy told the shopper he had a gun and wasn't afraid to use it if he didn't get the Elmo doll. And it looks like Elmo isn't that innocent after all: That same year, some copies of the "Potty Time with Elmo" interactive book contained a button that said," Who wants to die?"
AP
Grand Theft Auto The game's in-your-face violence and sex has been highly scrutinized by parent groups. And controversy sparked when 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas game contained sexually explicit mini-games that could be unlocked with a code. Versions of the game have already been banned in Thailand and Australia.
Getty Images
The SockObama In June 2008, the blogosphere fumed about a sock monkey doll made to look like Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. Although the doll may have been described as "firm but huggable," the doll's production was stopped after a couple of weeks after critics said the doll had racist undertones.
nymag.com
Furby No one's too sure exactly what a Furby is. However, in early 1999, The National Security Agency put employees under "Furby Alert" and requiring that employees keep their Furbies at home. It turns out the furry toy contains a computer chip that can potentially record classified information.
AP
If we are going to start banning the sale of playthings that send the wrong message to girls, why stop with Barbie? Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five other contenders for the worst dolls ever.
Bratz. With creepy detachable feet, oversized heads and blown up lips, these dolls make Barbie look downright plain. The slight resemblance of the two dolls didn't escape Mattel's notice. Last December a California judge ruled for an immediate stop production and recall. Mattel was awarded $100 million for copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Sunshine Caylee. Thanks to public outrage, this morbid little doll has yet to hit the shelves. Intended as a tribute to slain Caylee Anthony, it instead fueled protests, petitions and a collective gasp of horror that sent Showbiz Promotions back to the drawing board. "We're going to see if we can present it in a more classy and sensitive fashion," says the company's president.
Hello Kitty. She started out innocent enough, but over the years her reputation has suffered. Once a sweet little feline popular for her stickers and lunchboxes, she can now be found promoting sexy lingerie, men's underwear and even guns. In her latest incarnation, she is a "sexy siren" pushing cosmetics for MAC.
American Girl. I know they are supposed to "celebrate a girl's inner star", but what they really do is separate the haves from the have-nots. At about $100 each, a parent could spend a small fortune on a collection that doesn't even include outfits, hair appointments (for real) and best friends. The books are great. The dolls, not so much.
Webkinz. As a parent who has given in to the Webkinz whine more times than I care to admit, I long for the day when these furry little things fall out of favor. Once that tag is off and the new acquisition is logged in online, the toys themselves cease to be of any use whatsoever. Unless you consider dust-collecting useful.
Can you add to our Worst Doll List?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Parents Campaign For Bald Barbies to Fight Cancer
Pressure is building on Mattel to produce a bald Barbie doll that looks like girls who've suffered hair loss during chemotherapy. A campaign started by two parents right before Christmas accelerated with tens of thousands of supporters liking a Bald Barbie page on Facebook. Tim Minton says Barbie's been re-imagined before.
-
Artist Creates Humanoid Heads from Discarded Dolls
Most parents understand the never-ending desires of children to have the newest doll or toy. But it begs the question, what happens to the old playthings? A talented print-maker and sculptor, Freya Jobbins works with plastic, which she describes as ‘pre-loved', creating humanoid works of art. She uses pieces from discarded Barbie dolls and figures to create heads that have basic human features with a few extras.
-
Funeral For 7-Year Old Josephine Gay, Killed Days After Her Birthday
Funeral for 7-year old Josephine Gay, killed days after her birthday. The casket bearing the body of 7 year-old Josephine Gay emerges from her funeral service. In a statement her parents said she could not speak, but the autistic child loved hugs and Barbie dolls.
-
The Business of Mattel's Barbie Doll
With two Barbie dolls sold every second of every day, Barbie is the most successful doll ever.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 7)
3-04-2009 @ 5:29PM
Melissa said...Can't add to it, but can certainly agree with most of it! I HATE the Bratz dolls!
Reply
3-04-2009 @ 6:24PM
agentsarahjane said...I can't stand Bratz either... I think thay look like aliens from outer-space. My step daughter thinks that is amusing.
Reply
3-04-2009 @ 7:43PM
Jessica said...You've got to be kidding me. I'm originally from WV and believe me, there are much more important things that need to be addressed in that state than Barbie! How about taking care of the folks who work the system because they are too lazy to actually WORK? As for "you don't have to be smart"? How does a doll, who has been a doctor, vet, attorney, etc tell girls they don't have to be smart? This guy is an idiot!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 6:17AM
dennis said...What kind of IDIOT is this jerk,with all the problems we as a country are facing this moron Jeff Eldridge is worried about Barbie,get a life Jeff Eldridge and out of politics,
3-05-2009 @ 6:18AM
Taint said...It's just another liberal Democrat with nothing better to do than make an issue about a frickin barbie doll. When will people wake up and realize that the Dems do not have their best interests in mind.
3-05-2009 @ 6:24AM
Michelle said...Well, no wonder nothing is getting done to improfe the situation in this country. Between trying to find ways of bashing each others parties instead of working together and fearing Barbie dolls are ruining our kids lives, {wonder how they came to that conclusion? Must have had to much exposure to the little blonde theimselves when young} they don't have time to figure out how to get this country back on track, so long as they get thier pay from us citizens.
3-05-2009 @ 6:43AM
nikole said...i agree with you. im not from w.v. but hello tough economic times doesnt seem to be the right time to waste govt money on a stupid thing like this. go after shild molestors and rapists. not barbie.
3-05-2009 @ 8:37AM
bloodyhell said...Well at least they don't make a politician barbie. Or how about a "sleep with your brother in west virginia" barbie. How about this: lets let girls decide what they want on their own instead of passing a law to regulate yet another miniscule part of peoples lives.
You see what happens when you make people wear seat belts, people like this survive and procreate.
To all of you people comparing all of the other stupid dolls, get a life.
3-05-2009 @ 10:31AM
DlvstheBrowns said...I agree with this. Putting so much attention an a Barbie doll is kind of stupid. I've still got mine from the 70s. I enjoyed her as a kid. I don't like Bratz at all. They don't have the classy look Barbie has always had. And how do you know how smart Barbie is anyway?
3-05-2009 @ 10:50AM
ginny said...I agree. When you look @ the increase in child obeisity the statement that this doll has too much influence on our children is crap. There is also worout barbie, biking barbie, ski barbie and various other activities that are health related. If I had any complaint about the Barbie it is that she doesn't show real life cost of her adventures. Barbie can afford anything b/c she has the income of a politician! Only an idiot with too much time and $$ on their hands would even consider seeing this through. And again cause more job loss......what an idiot! I am a current resident of WV.
3-05-2009 @ 6:21AM
Angie said...Another example of using tax payers money on nonsense
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 6:34AM
Michael said...I think there are bigger fish to fry so to speak about things in our Untited States of America..I think this is totally ridiculous and a waste of time..and a hugh waste of money..This Lawmaker in WV should be releived of his duties if this is all he can come up with.....
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 7:11PM
Lisa said...I'm from WV and believe me, this guy is an idiot trying to make a name for himself! His views do not represent the majority of the people in this state. I figure 95% of our people think he's full of crap! With the economy in the mess it is & all the layoffs in this state, we have much bigger concerns than Barbie! I played with Barbie's for years and I don't think it damaged me! I never once looked at a Barbie & thought that's what I want to be when I grow up.
3-05-2009 @ 6:43AM
nikole said...I hate the Bratz they are freaky and dress all slutty. But I TOTALLY disagree with barbie. Barbie is like an american icon. everyone knows who barbie is. and with that whole u dont have to be smart thing? hello isnt barbie a vet and a dr and a lawyer and like 50 other jobs? gotta be pretty damn smart to get any one of those jobs never mind 50 of them.... I think that she teaches little girls you can be who ever you wanna be and you dont need a damned ken to get there (they divorced). And i played with her before they changed her body to be slightly more realistic then the original.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 6:09PM
Crystal Hope said...What about Hannah Montana, in general? Not only does she lack talent, but she promotes tons of bad morals for kids, especially the ever-impressionable preteens. Hannah Montana is all based on hiding your true self. In addition to that, at fourteen or fifteen, she goes around flirting with lots of boys and dressing in clothes that are far more suited for 18-19 year old movie stars. In one episode, I remember her saying "I'm a girl, I have NEEDS!" when her body guard prevented a boy from touching her too much. Now, can someone explain to me what kind of physical needs an eighth grade girl has? I find her to be far more inappropriate than Barbie. Barbie just has good looks, whereas Hannah Montana is a bad role model for kids of all ages, based on her life as Miley Cyrus (who can forget the underwear pictures?), the television show, and the message these things send to kids?
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 6:45AM
N. H. Peters said...Just another blue nose Baptist or fundamentalist run amok...These nuts shoule be shunned.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 4:43PM
kelly said...Ugh, I hate Bratz. They don't even have real feet! My cousin isn't allowed anywhere near them, her mom doesn't even take her down that aisle in the store! As for Barbie, she is a smart looking girl that has had some pretty amazing careers and exhibits caring and problem solving in all of her movies. Barbie can be a role model to little girls, not only because of her looks but her accomplishments too. Oh my gosh, I'm defending a doll....
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 6:55AM
paul said...why not a list......." the worst lawmakers list" this nutcase thinks he is garnering future votes, and there may be some that think we should outlaw free enterprise, Obama thinks that, Pelosi thinks that. Biden thinks that. Reid thinks that, Dodd thinks that, so why not a few more actual adults that think they can legislate the human element. It's a doll. We should, as citizens of the USA, respond to this foolishness by making our own law, we could call it the " save a citizen law" where we would make it illegal for politians to be " stupid" make it the three strike rule. be stupid three times and you are out ......... this guy must have three by now
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 3:24PM
Susan said...You could add quite a few Republicans to your "worst lawmakers" list as well Paul.
3-05-2009 @ 7:09AM
Wendy said...Bratz resemble Barbie????? You have GOT to be kidding!!! They're not even close - and the fact that a court agreed is ridiculous!! There are hundreds of Barbie wannabes out there and Bratz aren't one of them! WTF is going on? Bratz filled a niche that Barbie didn't - girls who weren't turned on to Barbie LOVED Bratz. Why is that a bad thing? Isn't that what COMPETITION is all about - having something that meets everyone's needs in some way?
Reply