Today I decided to investigate why all of the girls under age 14 are walking around the Grove carrying these creepy dolls.
Image by Malingering
I must say what I found was so disturbing I had to go home (check the notes). Each of these dolls costs (at least) which means the grand total of dolls in this collage here is about 8 million dollars.
We are fortunate to have an American Girl Place here in LA, only one of three in the country. Woo hoo! (There is a hair salon, a movie theater, a hospital, and a restaurant/cafe inside).
Note, all of the photos in this collage were taken within a 1 hour time period on Sunday July 9th.
trixiebedlam says:
ah, the American Girls dolls. I remember these. and at the risk of sounding negative, Chucky doesn’t have a thing on these ladies.
September 28, 2011, 5:09 pmMalingering says:
why can’t you appreciate the beauty of a young girl exploring the joys of motherhood and learning to use the wealth of her generous parents to her advantage? every image here is a thing of beauty, exemplifying the female’s role as a narcissistic mother who treats her child as nothing more than a miniature version of herself. i don’t know why you have to be so cynical, miss bedlam.
September 28, 2011, 6:04 pmPreston L. Bannister says:
Yep … just wait ’til you have a daughter.
September 28, 2011, 6:47 pmHeh.
trixiebedlam says:
I’m feeling generous today, so I’ll save that rant for another time.
Malingering, I was thinking – your handle really has some bringdown connotations. that does nothing to pump the positivity. I think you should change it to something nicer, like Encountering, or maybe HappiBunniLOL.
September 28, 2011, 6:47 pmshivaya07 says:
this reminds be of the Build-a-Bear phenomenon that’s around now.
well back in the day, we DID have cabbage patch kids. what hell i put my parents through for those ugly dolls. at least i never got into dressing-redressing them with cloths more expensive than my own!
September 28, 2011, 7:00 pmbpende says:
I have a daughter…. and my wife and I agree this whole trend is totally (%&(*&$’ed up. In New York, there’s another store, and they have a restaurant where you can take your doll… with chairs for the doll…
Frightening conspicuous consumerism, if ya ask me.
September 28, 2011, 7:38 pmTheDamnМushroom says:
I noticed in the collage that not every holder of the doll is a little girl. Not to say one’s imagination should stop functioning by age 12, but if you’re starting to grow breasts — put away the doll, your friends are making fun of you. And if you’ve graduated from school, don’t play with the doll — pull it out to sell it on eBay in a few years when it’s worth a shitload (I’m talking to you, woman in image 2B).
September 28, 2011, 7:44 pmmonkeyjunkie says:
This is part of the reason I hope my daughter turns out to be a tomboy.
September 28, 2011, 8:19 pmndotetim says:
I got one over 10 years ago, Addy and home girl was a slave! I never thought this would still be going strong.
September 28, 2011, 9:05 pmjayfader says:
combine one of these with home schooling and we have a big big problem on our hands. bring back cabbage patch kids i say. at least they didn’t have a salon.
September 28, 2011, 9:48 pmmonkeyjunkie says:
@jayfader – Yeah, but they had those creepy looking animal versions of their creepy selves.
September 28, 2011, 10:37 pmhannelly222000 says:
I am ten years old.I have one and only one outfit.Why are these girls spending SO much money on the freakin things
September 28, 2011, 10:49 pmcupcakecowgirls (Sharon Pryor) says:
At least you didn’t run into a bunch of 14 year old prostitutes
September 28, 2011, 11:27 pmI hope they stay intersted in their dolls a long time.
artgalgenius says:
Think that is expensive, you should check out the Volks Dolls from Japan. The basic model costs $600 with some of the limited editions selling for $1000:
http://www.volksusa.com
These are collected by adults and limited editions are known to sell out quickly.
In Los Angeles, we are fortunate to have the only Volks store in the US, Tenshi No Sumika (Angel’s Nest) in Torrance.
September 29, 2011, 12:11 amMsiWillTurnYouWickedGay says:
BJD dolls are better, but WAY more expensive.There is 1 on Luts.com that i want for 1,600$.
September 29, 2011, 12:42 amEven if they are expensive, i think they’re worth it.
Keira Vallejo Photography says:
Am I right in thinking they only make ONE black "American Girl" doll? So all the poor black girls have no choice but to carry the one which "has just been freed from slavery" – I don’t mean to offend anyone here but why can’t there be more choice? I’m sure not all black people think of themselves as being "freed from slavery" and there are about 20 WHITE girl dolls. Oh, also there is only one Native American doll. Blatant racism on the part of "American Girl" and obviously, blatant consumerism at work. I hate these dolls. Look at the size of them! They’re massive!
September 29, 2011, 1:03 amBeau Cœur <3 says:
I’m going to say that you people who make fun of teen/adult doll lovers are immature and crazy. Listen psychos: I’m 15 flippin’ years old and I still play with dolls. Yeah. Go ahead and laugh MORONS, but I don’t give a ___. I know A LOT of teens and adults who collect AND play with dolls. I’m going to collect AG forever. HAHAHAHA. Y’all are being stereotypical. Just cuz you’re a teen or an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop liking dolls. Age doesn’t determine interests. Seriously. Grow up.
September 29, 2011, 1:15 ammomawake says:
Listen you people, I think you are being totally mean and nasty about this. I’m 13 years old and I have 12 AG dolls, clothes for each one, and I’m right proud of them all.
September 29, 2011, 1:48 amMy MOM (who is 45) collects them. And I know over 1,000 people who are over 13 on an American Girl Message Board who each have at least 1 doll.
And FYI, Keira Vallejo Photography, there are 4 African American Dolls. Research stuff before you leave a comment. They are also not "Massive" as you state, they are 18" tall, which is a fair size for a little girl to hold. What do you expect her to do, hold a little 10" doll that is SO not big enough for playing?
Seriously guys, you are being totally biased about this whole thing. Get a life people and stop being so nasty. There are people out here who LIKE these dolls.