Sluts, Princesses, and Twilight. Where Have All the Role Models Gone? by Leia Shaw

My daughter’s birthday is this coming Sunday. She’s turning four. Hubby and I headed out on a rare day by ourselves to shop for her party and birthday presents.

DD is not a girly girl. She prefers playing in the mud with her brother’s dump trucks over dolls and dress-up any day. This year, she asked for her own cars to play with that her older brother can’t steal away. So, among other things, that’s what we bought her.

We contemplated an old-fashioned Barbie car just so it stands out from her brother’s more masculine ones but they were kind of wussy, so we settled on a red convertible tough enough to withstand some abuse but the right size to fit a Barbie doll as a driver. But since she doesn’t own any dolls that size, I figured we should get her one. So off we went, looking for a kick-ass driver for a tomboy’s red convertible.

And here’s where I faced the dilemma. There are NO good role model dolls for little girls. There were plenty of foofy princess dolls, dressed in fancy gowns all shiny and pretty – but does off-roading in glass slippers sound very practical to you? Then there’s Barbie of course, who I’m not a fan of. Not only does she represent a very small percentage of the population, especially where I live, but most of her outfits fall into the frilly category or the slutty one – neither of which I’m okay with.

Why isn’t there like, super-hero girl, or something? A doll that looks like she could jump a car off a ramp without worrying about her fashion purse or fancy hairdo?

The other option is the slut dolls collection. I’ve been seeing the Bratz dolls commercials for a while now and I have to say, they seem more appropriate for a teenager. I guess the point of a doll wearing skinny jeans, a fur coat, diamonds and stilettos is to be fashion forward? I just don’t get it. They all look like they’re wearing bronzer the wrong color for their skin and just had collagen injections in their lips.

Now I am not an overprotective mother. I’m really not. So, even though the name immediately turned me off (why would I encourage my daughter to play with something called a brat?), I figured I’d give them a try.

So hubby and I went down the Bratz doll aisle in search of a cool, down-to-earth, somewhat normal looking driver for her car. Hubby picked up one with darker skin (which is a start since my daughter is biracial) that was supposed to be “tattoo Bratz doll.” Now I’m covered in tattoos, I support parents getting tattooed, my kids have watched me get tattoos – obviously I don’t have an issue with a tattooed doll. What I do have an issue with is the black leather slut shorts, the hooker boots, and the see-thru top. Oh. And the so-called “tattoos” was an ugly nude-colored shirt with doodles on it. They weren’t even really tattoos! It had to be one of the ugliest dolls I’ve ever seen. And what’s with the tattoo stereotype? Most tattooed people don’t wear all leather and ride motorcycles anymore. Welcome to the 21st century Bratz doll makers, whoever you are!

Anyway. All of the Bratz were slutty and the only dolls left were Twilight and One Direction. Uh, no and no.

Finally, hubby found something called a Moxie girl. There were only a few of them at this particular store, but one was a darker skinned girl wearing a karate uniform and a ribbon. Good enough! Karate chick wearing a minimal amount of makeup was the best we could do.

My favorite part of the experience was when we were contemplating between two of the least slutty Bratz dolls we could find and hubby said, “Let’s get that one. At least it’s got pants on.” Now that is something that should never be heard in the aisle of a kid’s toy store.

Does anyone else have a problem with the serious lack of positive role models for little girls today? I’d love to hear some comments.

Filed under: romance