register |  login
› CASTLE ROCK
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
RECENT STORIES

Barbie's off boozin' with the Bratz Pack

Contributed by: Anthonette Klinkerman on 12/16/2007

I'm reeling. For the second time in a month I have had to call ToysRUs to complain about a doll that appears to be promoting alcohol. First, it was the Bratz Movie Party Bus with its tiny cocktail glasses and blender, marketed to 6 year olds and up. As if that weren't asinine enough, my students told me that the dolls are so out of proportion you have to take off their feet to change their trampy little outfits.

This time it's the Barbie Party Plane & Ship 2-in-1 Playset with its miniature pink martini glasses, complete with garnish hanging over the sides. This one is actually marketed to 3 year olds and up. You read that correctly. I'm fairly certain I don't even want to know what is aboard the Barbie Party Bus that "features lots of fun accessories", also "ages 3 and up."

I am completely sickened at this ridiculous glorification of movie star glamor and of "partying" that is being aimed right at our nation's little girls. The message screams, "If you're not famous for doing zilch, not dressed like a sleaze, and don't have cocktails at the ready, your life is boring. Poor you."

And if you don't think this message is getting through, I've got news for you: middle schoolers being intoxicated on school grounds does happen. Dress code battles rage on year after year. Teens do get pregnant. Teens do die of overdoses.

Here's another news flash, but for these moron toy makers: not every little girl aspires to be the next American Idol. Shocker, I know. Even though Barbie's proportions scarred me for life, she at least tried her hand at being a veterinarian and some other careers that required functioning gray matter. However, she promptly dipped her deformed feet into the political arena, sharp little red suit, flouncy, star-spangled blue ball gown and all.

I guess I could sue Mattel for now having hang-ups about my proportions, but then real potatoes would go after the PotatoHeads, dump trucks would accuse Tonka of steroid use... it would be a mess.

I count myself fortunate that my daughter prefers hanging out at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. She has no clue what a Disney Princess is, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

She and two other girls at the museum the other day played for 30 minutes straight that they were flying the Space Shuttle. I had to remark to Mr. K that the odds against this scenario, even as 2007 winds down, are still stacked against it.

One look at the toy advertisements makes it pretty clear as to why.




SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Current Rating
Based on 6 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
Submitted By: Scott Rittenhouse
posted on 1/21/2008 @ 10:46:58 PM
Rated Story
You are so right Mrs. K. I have to work around these dolls every day at my work and is saddens me that this is what the toy makers think young girls should aspire to be. It's not bad enough that they see it on the news all the time but now even their toys displays the filth of this world as good. Hopefully though the toy makers start reading what parents have to day about their toys.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Anthonette Klinkerman
posted on 12/23/2007 @ 11:24:26 AM
(Not Rated)
Thanks for the compliment, Katherine! Keep that little granddaughter safe. Not having anything more than basic cable has helped more than you know; I can walk right by the toy aisles without hearing my daughter beg for the latest trash. And, as I've said before, it IS trash!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Katherine Jerome
posted on 12/19/2007 @ 9:53:01 AM
Rated Story
I'm on board with this outrage Anthonette. As the grandmother of a precious 2 year old granddaughter, I won't be keeping my mouth shut. I like your style!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Anthonette Klinkerman
posted on 12/19/2007 @ 7:32:54 AM
(Not Rated)
I've talked to Toys R Us the one time before, and am playing phone-tag with another representative right now. I've sent the story to Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, and to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD. Their web page has their contact information. This promotion of "partying" is something that has to stop if we teachers or parents are going to have any influence at all in shaping our young children!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Brendan Leonard
posted on 12/18/2007 @ 3:45:32 PM
Rated Story
Bravo, Anthonette.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 12/18/2007 @ 12:01:27 PM
Rated Story
Anthonette, thank you for speaking up. Alcohol is a drug and should not be promoted nor accepted in our society as harmless fun. The fact that toys for children as young as three feature booze-theme accessories shows outrageous irresponsibility on the parts of toy manufacturers. Where do we complain?
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Anthonette Klinkerman

Castle Pines North

Anthonette Klinkerman has posted 80 stories and 44 comments since joining on 4/14/2006. Anthonette Klinkerman 's average story rating is 4.95.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyone what events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos