American Girl's Newest Doll is Homeless

Are not all doll homeless, till someone brings one home?

Reply

Who pays $95 for a DOLL???? Really, people, we are going just a *tad* overboard here.

I'd be homeless myself if I paid that much for ANY of my kid's toys.

I don't pay that much for things for MYSELF!

Reply

I can see if used in logical creative ways this doll could be a good teaching tool. However, if the doll company really wants to impress me, give all the profit made from this particular doll sales to agencies which provide help to the homeless in our nation.

Reply

How right you are, savagemouse!!

Reply

Interesting. Also, the style of the doll and the packageing seem to have an uncanny resemblance to the Goodguy dolls :) For those of you who don't know what I mean, watch one of the Chucky movies.

Reply

And sometimes we wonder why other countries/cultures hate us so? Only in the U.S., could we sell a doll symbolizing homelessness for 95 DOLLARS!!!

Reply

This is so clueless. It reminds me of "let them eat cake."

I agree with many of the above comments - there are far better ways of creating awareness of homelessness.

I used to like the idea of American Girl (though my girls are too young for them yet), but now I am pretty sure I will boycott the dolls (maybe not the books). Good for my pocketbook!

Reply

I know the American Girl doll company has made dolls for all the big points in history, including the depression era, etc., but to introduce this doll when so many people are homeless or close to it I think is in bad taste. It is always easier to talk about the depression if you haven't lived it. I like American Girl dolls because they are good learning tools for history, but this is disappointing. They didn't bring out the depression era doll until decades after the depression, and they should have waited with this doll too, or spotlighted something else from our times.

Reply

Oh how wonderful..how about a 12 year old "American Doll" knocked up by her abusive alocholic father....

Reply

I think people are getting too worked up over this. It's a doll. And I had American Girl dolls...I didn't remember their stories when I threw them in my closet after playing with it for two days. Chill on. This country is getting rediculous. Everyone freaks out over every little thing anymore. No wonder kids go out and do drugs and drink...it's to get away from their parents freaking out about 'homeless dolls making bad impressions on 5 year olds' and if milk is or isn't good for you anymore. Seriously, it's a toy. Get over it.

Reply

Actually, 95 dollars isn't all that bad for a doll, considering most of you think its fine to spend hundreds of dollars on tennis shoes for your kids that will wear out in 3 months and whatever all else they have. Have you thought about buying them the 10-30 dollar pair and donating the rest of that money to a shelter? I am sure that someone posting on here, has bought a game console that cost three times as much. Honestly! The American Girl Dolls can seem expensive granted, and they are collectible, but they are also the type of doll that is made to be played with and girls do! If they get broken or little Ashley cuts her doll's hair, they have the option of sending them in for repairs at a doll hospital. They are also the type of doll that you only need to buy once, instead of a doll every Christmas and Birthday, like I got as a child. They reinforce history, reading, and life lessons, for our daughters. My daughter doesn't have an older doll but she does have Bitty Baby which is their "Baby" line. As to the Homeless part, I think in this instance its just an interesting side note and a chance to again teach and learn! Not everyone is comfortable taking their children to soup kitchens and not everyone at a soup kitchen is homeless! In fact depending on where you live, they might just be elderly, lower income, etc. How stereotypical can you all be? Let me guess, you also think all homeless people are alcoholics too, right?

Reply

I think it is a very good idea to introduce kids in a non-scary way to the possibility of extreme life changes, especially in this day and age. Kids fantasize about every facet of their lives, and they want to find a way to "win through" tough situations. It's a good message, a good presentation, and frankly, a good doll. Much cheaper and much, much more useful than a video game or a million pokemon "collectibles".

Reply

Well, first off, this proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the black community isn't treated equal, its treated with preferential treatment. If this doll had been black, cries of RACISM would be heard around the country. Because its not, its just "maybe improper". Pathetic, but the black community loves that situation.
Secondly, if I BUY it, then its not homeless anymore, so move on.

Reply

Great! Does it come with its own dilapitated grocery cart, a refrigerater carton, and when you pull the string, does it scream "SPARE CHANGE?""

Reply

I'm a fan of American Girl and have spent more money than I'd care to admit on their products. But this was not a good idea. Especially with the price tag that comes with all the dolls, the doll clothes, and, I hate to imagine it in this case, the matching clothes for the kids.

AG has excellent books that explain different periods in history. I would definitely be in favor of a book that really explains homelessness, especially in this era. But an expensive homeless doll is just tasteless.

Reply

American girl dolls, although outrageously expensive, usually tell a story. I am a traditional parent. The stories that we tell our children usually teach an important lesson, or just plain have a happy ending. Happy endings are important to small children. They teach hope, faith, and perservearence... This doll is not the true example of a homeless child... How in the world can I spend $95.00 on a doll as a way of teaching my children about the plight of the homless? How much better to teach children to appreciate what they have, and not be materialistic. We can buy a new (un-needed toy), or we can help a brother or sister in need... Disgusting. Although I have considered buying my little one an American girl doll, I certainly will not, ever!

Reply

MARYSE JOSEPH 9-24-2009 @ 10:59PM
You need a life. What does the doll being non-black have to do with anything? My black daughter plays and collects non-black dolls, and yes I am BLACK. My daughter is in college and continues to collect.

Amen Maryse, Thank God there are other thinking parents out there. My white daughters also play with and collect dolls. All kinds of dolls, white, black, asian, whatever they can get their hands on. This doll could be any color, and would still be innapropriate. Some of us just believe in love. Love is blind when it comes to skin and race...

Reply