Dads and Dolls 2

Daddy Clay: As any dad who has been to a toy store recently can tell you, in the doll aisle these days you can find a lot of sassiness. And not all of it makes us really comfortable. Now this whole segment, this huge doll industry has been taken over by two primary brands. There’s Barbie and there’s The Bratz. So, the question today is do you feel comfortable with your daughter playing with these kind of fashion dolls? If you’ve got an opinion please share it with us, drop us a comment. Let us know how you feel about Barbie vs. The Bratz. Brad, how do you feel? Barbie – are you going to let your daughter play with Barbie?

Daddy Brad: Well, it’s a tough decision. But Barbie – Barbie probably yes because Barbie’s been around forever. I remember my sister playing with Barbie.

Daddy Clay: Right. But a lot of parents feel uncomfortable with Barbie because – well, because shall we say her dimensions may cause problems with girls defining their body image. I mean, do you want them creating an unrealistic expectation of themselves because of Barbie and her hair?

Daddy Brad: Yeah, her hair is very long, and that might create some envy, I don’t know.

Daddy Clay: That’s teacher Barbie. Do you think your daughter’s teacher is going to look like that?

Daddy Brad: Not my daughter’s teacher.

Daddy Clay: Okay. So would you buy a Barbie?

Daddy Brad: I wouldn’t buy a Barbie, but I’m not banning Barbie from the house.

Daddy Clay: Okay, Barbie’s not banned.

Daddy Brad: Barbie’s not banned.

Daddy Clay: I feel the same way. Actually, this Barbie belongs to my daughter. It was given as a Christmas present and fine. If she wants to play with the Barbie, fine. Okay, same question – Bratz?

Daddy Brad: Bratz. Yeah, she’s got longer hair if you know what I mean. And she looks a little, well - …..

Daddy Clay: Well, obviously there are a number of features. She can stand up.

Daddy Brad: Barbie can’t stand up.

Daddy Clay: She features eye makeup and lipstick, which Barbie does too. Lot’s of bling, and that skirts pretty short. So how would you feel about this with your five year old girl? Would you let her – would you buy a Bratz or would you let her play with it?

Daddy Brad: Probably not. I don’t want my five year old thinking that the length of that skirt is appropriate.

Daddy Clay: Not only would I not buy, I probably would not…. would you be willing to fight the battle? I mean if she opens that up at her birthday party would you be willing to go get that and say no, honey. And throw it in the trash.

Daddy Brad: That’s tough.

Daddy Clay: That would be a tough battle to fight. So those of you are invited to my daughter’s next birthday party, please – no Bratz, okay? Please. Don’t make me go there.

Daddy Brad: But you know, you may have to go there because it’s a huge industry. Barbie, which is a Mattel product, is three, four billion in sales? And then Bratz, which is MGA Entertainment? Two billion. So they’ve almost caught up. So lots and lots of parents are buying these.

Daddy Clay: Lots of parents are buying these.

Daddy Brad: When did they start putting thongs on dolls?

Daddy Clay: And you know these dollies – they don’t like each other very much. At a matter of fact, Barbie is suing the crap out of the Bratz because Mattel, the owner of Barbie, contends that a designer that was working for Mattel designed the Bratz and then gave them away. So there’s a huge legal battle going on – it’s a catfight.

Bratz: Bitch.

Barbie: Slut.

Bratz: Whore

Barbie: Well, I’m nice you collagen.

Bratz: Nice silicon there miss priss.

Daddy Clay: If you are uncomfortable with these two dolls, there is an option. This is An American Girl doll. She’s obviously very wholesome, she has hair ….

Daddy Brad: Cute – pigtails.

Daddy Clay: A nice white outfit that goes all the way down, she comes with a book. Any doll that comes with a book has got to be a good thing.

Daddy Brad: No make-up.

Daddy Clay: No make-up. And, the only issue here is that this baby is $85. So, you definitely have alternatives. Fashion dolls that are wholesome, that we all feel good about the girls playing with as long as you are stinking rich.

Daddy Brad: Expensive.