So yet another controversial object being market to our young children. You might be surprised on which side I stand on. Or not so surprised if you know me.
Berjuan Toy's, has produced a Breast Feeding Doll. The doll comes with a sort of halter top that little girls and boys can put on over a shirt. The halter top has two little flowers placed on the fabric where the child's nipples would be. When the baby cries they can place the dolls mouth over the flowers where a censor activates the doll to make suckling sounds. Simple enough, right?
Is this disturbing to you? It isn't to me. In fact, what is disturbing are the comments that some "Adults" and critics are saying about the doll.
"What's next, introducing them to S&M and bondage?" read one comment.
Eric Ruhalter a writer for a parenting column for the New Jersey Star Ledger publicly says "What's next (I just love how they always start with 'whats next') Bebe Limp — the male doll who experiences erectile dysfunction? Bebe Cell Mate — a weak, unimposing doll that experiences all the indignation and humiliation of life in prison?"
Some people even made statements like "why don't we just give them dildo's and teach them about masturbation"
To me Bebe Limp and dildo's are a huge leap from breastfeeding. And Mr. Ruhalter, they do make toys like Bebe Cell Mate already. Grand Theft Auto was a huge seller for our youngsters, and every super hero needs a villain to be placed in prison. Will Batman and Spiderman, soon be on your disgusting list.
Isn't that nuts? It never fails to burn my biscuits when people sexualize such things as breast feeding. Still, it is one thing to disagree with the toy, but it is another to be posting such nasty things. Can they not defend their opinions in a mature manner?
So this is what I think about the doll. I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with it. Some say it will promote teen pregnancy. I just think this is just a scape goat for what's really wrong with society and the way they promote sexual activity in the media. In any case, most teenage mothers simply refuse to breast feed. Some are worried about saggy boobs, while others just don't have the patience for it. I don't know about the whole nature vs nurture deal, but could it be possible that if some of them grew up with doll, they may be more inclined to breast feed? Maybe. It could also be a far fetched idea. But one thing is for certain, breast feeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby, can't be wrong with promoting that.
Why is it "normal" for every feeding doll to come with a bottle. Yes it may be normal or i guess the modern way, but it isn't technically the natural way babies where meant to be fed. In fact, bottle feeding didn't become normal until big pharmaceutical companies decided to make fake breast milk, and ca ching did their pay checks get bigger. Makes me wonder why formula is so expensive. I always thought that formula should be cheaper, and our government should be regulating that. spending 30 bucks for a can seems kind of outrageous when it comes to feeding our children. Sorry getting off point.
Another thing, why is it okay that we buy our children toy guns, and bombs, and let them pretend they are killing something? Does that make them future murderers and war lords? Let a little girl pretend to be a nurturing breast feeding mother and it is out of the question.
We as woman are beautiful creatures that can do some pretty amazing things. We can grow a child inside of our wombs and share our bodies with another human being. Give birth, which is amazing all on it's own, and then provide nourishment from our own bodies to feed these little babies. It is not disgusting or sexual in any way shape or form. I will not feel shame for some thing that I was made to do. I simulated my mother when she breastfed my little brothers, by lifting up my shirt and trying to feed my dolls. I wanted to be like mommy, I wanted to learn how to one day become a good mommy myself. And if Violet does the same then so be it. I would rather have this doll then have Abercrombie and Fitch selling my seven year old daughter padded bra's and thongs.
I understand that the doll might not be for every one, but lets have an adult forum about this. Would you buy the doll for your child? What do you think about it?
Berjuan Toy's, has produced a Breast Feeding Doll. The doll comes with a sort of halter top that little girls and boys can put on over a shirt. The halter top has two little flowers placed on the fabric where the child's nipples would be. When the baby cries they can place the dolls mouth over the flowers where a censor activates the doll to make suckling sounds. Simple enough, right?
Is this disturbing to you? It isn't to me. In fact, what is disturbing are the comments that some "Adults" and critics are saying about the doll.
"What's next, introducing them to S&M and bondage?" read one comment.
Eric Ruhalter a writer for a parenting column for the New Jersey Star Ledger publicly says "What's next (I just love how they always start with 'whats next') Bebe Limp — the male doll who experiences erectile dysfunction? Bebe Cell Mate — a weak, unimposing doll that experiences all the indignation and humiliation of life in prison?"
Some people even made statements like "why don't we just give them dildo's and teach them about masturbation"
To me Bebe Limp and dildo's are a huge leap from breastfeeding. And Mr. Ruhalter, they do make toys like Bebe Cell Mate already. Grand Theft Auto was a huge seller for our youngsters, and every super hero needs a villain to be placed in prison. Will Batman and Spiderman, soon be on your disgusting list.
Isn't that nuts? It never fails to burn my biscuits when people sexualize such things as breast feeding. Still, it is one thing to disagree with the toy, but it is another to be posting such nasty things. Can they not defend their opinions in a mature manner?
So this is what I think about the doll. I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with it. Some say it will promote teen pregnancy. I just think this is just a scape goat for what's really wrong with society and the way they promote sexual activity in the media. In any case, most teenage mothers simply refuse to breast feed. Some are worried about saggy boobs, while others just don't have the patience for it. I don't know about the whole nature vs nurture deal, but could it be possible that if some of them grew up with doll, they may be more inclined to breast feed? Maybe. It could also be a far fetched idea. But one thing is for certain, breast feeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby, can't be wrong with promoting that.
Why is it "normal" for every feeding doll to come with a bottle. Yes it may be normal or i guess the modern way, but it isn't technically the natural way babies where meant to be fed. In fact, bottle feeding didn't become normal until big pharmaceutical companies decided to make fake breast milk, and ca ching did their pay checks get bigger. Makes me wonder why formula is so expensive. I always thought that formula should be cheaper, and our government should be regulating that. spending 30 bucks for a can seems kind of outrageous when it comes to feeding our children. Sorry getting off point.
Another thing, why is it okay that we buy our children toy guns, and bombs, and let them pretend they are killing something? Does that make them future murderers and war lords? Let a little girl pretend to be a nurturing breast feeding mother and it is out of the question.
We as woman are beautiful creatures that can do some pretty amazing things. We can grow a child inside of our wombs and share our bodies with another human being. Give birth, which is amazing all on it's own, and then provide nourishment from our own bodies to feed these little babies. It is not disgusting or sexual in any way shape or form. I will not feel shame for some thing that I was made to do. I simulated my mother when she breastfed my little brothers, by lifting up my shirt and trying to feed my dolls. I wanted to be like mommy, I wanted to learn how to one day become a good mommy myself. And if Violet does the same then so be it. I would rather have this doll then have Abercrombie and Fitch selling my seven year old daughter padded bra's and thongs.
I understand that the doll might not be for every one, but lets have an adult forum about this. Would you buy the doll for your child? What do you think about it?
Do you know what *I* think promotes teen pregnancy and sex at a young age? Not being educated. I've also written about this, and MY encounter was just as ridiculous. One guy even said "there's no need for a child to know about THOSE PARTS of their body." Um, yes, there is. My son knows his penis is for peeing, and he's not even 2 yet. It's better than learning what the other purpose is, is it not? He'll learn that purpose when he's old enough to comprehend. Unfortunately, the age to give your kids the sex talk HAS dropped to like 10-12, BUT it's not the fault of a breastfeeding doll. Spend 5 minutes watching the music videos of today and listening to lyrics.
ReplyDeleteI hope that I can somehow keep Nolan childlike for a very long time, but I don't plan on sheltering him and I agree with this doll. It's perfect for older siblings to be, and for girls to learn the REAL meaning behind their breasts. A person should never think that boobs are sexual and that's it.
As for the comments from people saying "why don't we just teach them to masturbate?" DISGUSTING. Sexualizing children is NEVER okay. These people are clearly uneducated in their own bodies, and uncomfortable with them as a result.
Great post!!
Thanks Jessi. When I saw the comments that some of these people where making about the doll, I was 1. disgusted with the people and 2. Angry that they could turn such a beautiful thing as breast feeding into some thing so gross. TV and music video's make me nervouse for my daughter, but i also don't put any responsibility on them when it comes to raising my daughter. That is my job. I also don't plan on sheltering my daughter from the world, but believe me there will be moderation. I don't think lady ga ga is a great role model for my daughter right now. This baby doll hardley seems like a threat to my daughters sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI could really go on for ever and ever lol
but thanks for the comment