American Girl's Newest Doll is Homeless

LOL!!!

Buy a $95.00 doll to teach a child about homelessness? WTF is this country coming too? Now if American Girl was donating the purchase price to a homeless shelter, mission or food bank, I might have a different opinion...

Kelly, do you happen to have any education at all? Maybe you're just trying to get a laugh, but it's a serious matter that is really not funny at all. Not all homeless people are dirty and dressed in rags. There are far more people that are homeless due to disasters and loss of jobs than mental illness and drug addiction. That doesn't mean that they walk around with dirty faces and squirrels hanging out of their mouths. Most of them have jobs and are trying to better themselves; and by looking at them, you wouldn't be able to tell that they are homeless. Take some time and edjucate yourself before you open your mouth. I read this a while back when it was featured. Perhaps this will open up your mind. http://girlsguidetohomelessness.com/

This is really not a true representation of the character. Gwen is not the newest doll. She has been out since January. She is the best friend of the doll of the year Chrissa. Her father died, and her mother lost her job. The family spends a short time living in their car before they move into a local run shelter. Chrissa's family helps with the shelter. The people at the shelter help her mother get on her feet, and find a job, and place to live. All of the American Girl books, and movies deal with the social issues that occurred during the decade that the doll was suppose to be living in. Before you truly pass judgment you should watch the movie, or read the book. I did not consider Gwens's character homeless, because she was only that way briefly. It was more a story about how family's come together to help each other through rough times.

I have to agree there... she is far too clean to be homeless.. I dont see anything wrong with this doll..

I still have my "Poor, Pitiful, Pearl" doll. They didn't call her homeless, but she was dressed in a raggedy old dress with a little scarf on her head. No squirrel tail though.

Don't think this is bad just very sad. Why would you want to make money over something like this? What poor child in this condition could ever afford this type doll. This is not right and sad....

American Girl stated that they do not have an homeless doll.

Lighten up, Amber. You clearly haven't been exposed to a lot of homeless people. In San Francisco, they're all over the place. And it is very obvious that they're homeless. They're unkempt, dirty, have missing teeth, wear clothes that are brown with dirt, tow stolen shopping carts full of their things and recyclables and smell like piss. Some have lost their mind and are screaming obscenities at no one in particular. The homeless of San Francisco have fallen hard and it doesn't seem like they're going to ever get back up.

Not all homeless people are dirty and dressed in rags.You've obviously never been to a homeless shelter.The doll is not the main character in the storyline,just a friend.I knew of such a family who lived out of their car.As far as donations c'mon were talking about the crass commercialism of Mattel who have owned the American Girls franchise since the early part of this decade.Sweet, backstabbing, money grubbing,Mattel,who keeps telling white children they should be ashamed of their skin color and must get tanned to appease people of color.When was the last time you saw a Mattel doll that didn't have some form of tan.Jealous,vicious, Mattel, who couldn't stand the competition from the BRATZ,which of course they now own. Jealous money hungry Mattel, who didn't like the fact that a Hebrew company was marketing a American Girl type doll specifically for Hebrew children,which is why they got rid of Samantha. I no longer buy Mattel anything.Probably never will again.

I agree with peanut gallery, if the proceeds would go to help the homeless and shelters I would probably buy it for my grandbbies, but its inappropiate to market this doll for profit. Just wrong.We would be better off taking our children to these places and to the tent cities across the nation and giving those ppl the $95.00.

I agree with peanut gallery, if the proceeds would go to help the homeless and shelters I would probably buy it for my grandbbies, but its inappropiate to market this doll for profit. Just wrong.We would be better off taking our children to these places and to the tent cities across the nation and giving those ppl the $95.00.

I think that the doll is a little too realistic. what happened to using your imagination while you play. All the dolls could be homeless if you wanted them to.

Amber..... as "educated" as you claim to be, the truth is, most homeless people are NOT well dressed and clean. However, most mothers put in situations like this with children live in women's shelters, therefore are not 'technically' homeless. They wear clothes that are donated, they sleep inside, and eat regular meals. This isn't really a doll representing TRUE homeless people, i think it's more of a representation of a little girl that lives in a women's shelter. Regardless, there is no need to attack people for their opinions.

Kelly, what century are you living in? Since the recent fall out of our economy, there are several families experiencing homelessness. Some are surviving living week to week in hotels. Some are having to sleep on the floor, or live in the trailer of family and friends. Some are living out of their cars. Some are living in tents. The story of this doll is way too common.

After 15 years of being a stay-at-home mom with four kids, my husband left us. It is difficult enough trying to rejoin the working force, after being out of it for so long, but during this economy, it's nearly impossible. We receive no support. The legal fees required are too high. My ex has managed to hide his income, making it even more difficult to get adequate support. Homelessness has been an ever present threat since our break-up. In the back of my mind, should it comes to this. I am constantly running through the possible senarios of how to survive with dignity for my children's sake. They certainly wouldn't have squirls hanging out of their mouths. Give me a break.

Maybe Its just me but perhaps it can help children in teaching them to help the homeless. But then again perhaps going to the local soup kitchen may work better lol

TOO FUNNY

did you see the american girl movie carissa about bullying... and her friend turned out to be homeless... they need not to be dirty to be homeless.

in this economy this can become a families reality, not just for a single parent. If profit from sales went to homeless shelters, or programs to assist families getting re-established It might increase my choice to purchase this doll.