by Jared Garrett

Created on: April 22, 2007   Last Updated: April 26, 2007

In a world of liberated women, sexual awareness, greater tolerance, less tolerance, and war in many parts of the globe, are Bratz dolls appropriate for young girls?

That is any individual parent's call, but read on for why my little girl will never get her sweet little hands on one.

THE ATTITUDE
The entire attitude of the Bratz line and many of the young women in today's society bothers the heck out of me. This attitude is summed up by the product's name: Bratz. A brat is a person who will stop at nothing to get his or her way. Remember the phrase 'spoiled brat'? Apparently this is a good thing now? Not in my world, and I will tell you why. Why should my girl feel like she has to be pushy, self-serving and even mean and cruel to reach her goals in life? Shouldn't she feel like she should know and love herself and have confidence and work hard in order to to reach her goals? I think so. This attitude of 'I can do whatever I want' is incredibly damaging to the deeper self-esteem of young women and girls. Our girls need to be comfortable in the skin they are in. They need to be comfortable with being vulnerable and comfortable with being confident. This Bratz attitude preaches that you have to be sassy and 'don't dis me cause I am all up in there'.

No thanks, I would rather have a girl who is confident and who knows who she is. A girl who will turn away from girls overcompensating by showing off skin and blaring and glaring their attitude to the world.

THE CLOTHES
Ah the clothes. Bratz dolls all show navel and a fair swath of skin. They wear clothes and accessories that are reminiscent of bondage and old Joan Jett and Blondie. When I see a girl dressing like that I think 'no self-respect'. Why should a girl feel like she has to be a sex symbol to be liberated? Why should a girl feel like she must trumpet her liberated femininity by wearing several pounds of make-up that obscure their authentic beauty? Why should a girl show her 'I am woman, hear me roar' by falling into what is quickly becoming a truly tacky dress-code of supposed sexual liberation? I think my girl should roar by disdaining the popular and embracing the true.

Besides, having my girl think that it is okay and expected for her to show off her navel is not happening. This Hoochie wear thing has got to stop. Thus, parents need to get a spine. No, don't argue that they're just kids and it is harmless and let them have some fun and all their friends do it. You know it is wrong and you know it makes you uncomfortable. So be the adult. This goes very well for Bratz dolls as well. So be the adult and don't let that stuff in your home. It is not appropriate for young girls, or really any girls as far as I am concerned.

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