Tattooed Barbie

Jennifer - posted on 12/09/2011

HAHAHA I got my niece a tattoed barbie like 12 years ago for her 4th bday the thing was like 6 bucks my niece is now 16 with out tattoos. She is doing great in school and plans to join the Coast Gaurd next year after graduating next year. (OH and the school she is in is a magnet high school) umm I dont think it hurt her at all!

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 12/01/2011

It's a collector's edition doll. Anyone who knows beans about Barbie would know that a 50$ doll isn't a toy

Teresa - posted on 12/01/2011

No. WHy should it be. It's a DOLL. A TOY.

Lexi - posted on 11/30/2011

love it! I know there are still lots of conservative people out there. If you're a parent who doesn't think tattoos are ok, then don't buy the doll. My husband and I are both grown up punk rock kids. I've got no problem with tattoos or piercings. My husband has 6 piercings and three tattoos (so far) and I've got two piercings and my tattoo is coming with tax refund money this year. It's 4 doves representing me, my husband and our sons, and our wedding bible verse intertwined with vines and flowers. It will be about 6 inches wide between my shoulder blades and trail down my back. If I had a daughter I'd rather buy her the tattoo barbie than those awful Bratz dolls. How is it ok to dress in skimpy clothes and have a bad attitude but not a tattoo?



ETA: I skimmed through the other comments. So just fyi, for those who think tattoos = an unhealthy sinful lifestyle:

-hubby and I both graduated high school

-I went to college and hubby trade school, he has a good enough job to let me be a SAHM and the company considers him valuable and responsible enough to be paying for him to apprentice for an even better position.

-neither of us had sex until we married each other and have been 100% faithful.

-we're both straightedge (no partying, drugs, smoking, etc.)

-we're christians and not just the sunday kind, we hold to those morals and beliefs throughout our lives. We did before and after the tattoos and piercings.



I certainly would never push tattoos or piercings on anyone. Each person has the right to do with their body as they please. But in this day and age where tattoos and piercings are such a common thing in all walks of life, it amazes me that some people are still so dead set in the idea that tattoos = scumbag/slut/druggy/criminal.

Jessie - posted on 11/15/2011

I am sure this has been said, but the fact that a barbie has a tattoo is probably the only selling point to me. I am far more concerned about the fact that Barbies are constantly beautiful, thin, and consumerist tools (no doll needs that many accessories.....it breeds materialism). Barbie having a tattoo is far less concerning to me then the image she has been projecting to girls for generations....that of outward material perfection.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/13/2011

Interestingly enough I do have a friend who is a high school drop out. But she has no tattoos, has a GED and works for the NYS government. Her husband has tattoos and is in the US Army reserves and finished high school. I tell him the large tribal skull he has on his arm will give his children nightmares and paid my older daughter to run screaming from it. :) From what I can tell, neither of them is much of a biker.

Sally - posted on 11/13/2011

There is also the fact that those type of "bikes" are very costly. Not likely for most drop outs. Just sayin......

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/13/2011

Wait Sally, Barbie does ride a bike and a Vespa :) And there was once a Harley Davidson collector Barbie. But she didn't come with a bike.

If my husband's uncle Doug can't get most of his grandneices and nephews to ride a hog, I doubt Barbie could. Unless of course there are Vespa gangs.

Sally - posted on 11/13/2011

Hmmm, Sarah. I am against the item also but even I think that your comment is a stretch. Not sure if any Barbie has that much power. Drop out of school & ride bikes? Wow. Agree with Meggy on this one.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/13/2011

*head desk*

Sarah, wow that's as low as saying that it sends the message to have sex and do drugs! I have tattoos and I finished high school and went to college. So did my brother and a few other people I know who have tattoos. Only one of them rides a motorcycle and it certainly isn't me or my brother.

I'd love to know what's so bad with riding a motorcycle anyway one of my DH's uncle's rides one and he's a really nice guy.

I love when people make judgements based on stereotypes. And I feel bad for their children.

Sarah - posted on 11/13/2011

Well i would not give my kid that toy. It sends the message lets quit school and ride bikes. So I think it does send the wrong message.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/09/2011

I bought my daughter Abbey Bominable because her name is Abby. Whenever there is a toy named Abby we buy it for her. She used to have Abby Cadabby and when Bratz had the plush dogs I bought one named Abby.

I don't find Monster High dolls disturbing (but I wish Mattel would really give it a rest with the achilles tendon atrophing heels! ) The dolls give children the idea that individuality is great and should be embraced. I don't see anything wrong with them or Barbie.

Sally - posted on 11/09/2011

Thought this was interesting since Monster High dolls have been mentioned on this page. And since it is kind of on topic of appropiate toys.

http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/a...

Kelina - posted on 11/07/2011

My point about barbie being an adult is that you are seeing this from an adults perspective. Do you know what your daighter sees when shes playing? that barbie is an adult. It's called an imagination, I know I used to have one. It's the same thing that enables kids to believe trains can talk, and teletubbies exist. It's that wonderful thing that turns a cardboard box into a spaceship from the moon. When kids are playing with barbies, she's an adult. She's marketed to children, but the toy itself is an adult. So why shouldn't she look like one? And kids are going to defile their toys anyways. I gaev my dolls haircuts and did their makeup as a kid. I'm sure little girls who have seen tattoos probably draw on their dolls with permanent marker. And you completely missed the point that drugs alcohol and sex are no longer just adult choices, nor are they on the same level as a tattoo. Kids are making these choices, otherwise we wouldn't have shows out there like teen mom. And a tattoo is an artistic expression, and not a bad one whereas drugs and alcohol are. they change your life for the worse, and can kill you. unless you're getting your tattoo from some guy in the back of a van who's name is butch, Tattoos are NOT on the same level. Bad comparison. I understand the comparison you're trying to make but Mattel and Barbie are not the only company that do this. there's collector Hot wheels and collector toy cars. There's collector model airplanes and all that jazz. Is it simply not ok for Mattel to do it because it's a girl toy? Of course children don't understand the distinction, they're kids, that's why it's up to us as parents to explain the difference between something they can play with all the time, and something that's going to be worth a lot of money someday. And isn't it the job of a toy company to make it hard to say no? that is the point right, to make kids want it so much they beg their parents for it until parents cave. that's called ADVERTISING. That's called business. they're not being sneaky they're running a company and making profits. I don't see the same stigma attached to the collector hot wheels cars yet they're in the same aisle and kids are going to see them too, and they're also usually marketed to young children. The main issue with this is that it's a tattoo, because I didn't see any issue on here with the collectors item barbie that came out last year, the vintage barbies. In fact, I sincerely doubt that the fact that it's a collectors item makes any difference.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/07/2011

14 does not equal adult. And if your 14 year old is using the 'Barbie had one' excuse then you should've talked to your child earlier about adult choices. Besides that's a really silly comparisson since as it's been stated over and over in the US and Canada a person cannot get a tattoo until they're 18 sometimes reguardless of parental consent unless the tattoo parlour wants a nice lawsuit. That's the same arguement for cartoons.

A collector's edition does not equal child's toy. Unless you do want to purchase a 60$ doll for your child to throw around their bedroom that's your financial decision not mine. But in case you or other people kvetching about a pink haired tattooed Barbie haven't noticed, the dolls' faces have a different mold than the ones traditionally marketed towards children. Yes, they're in the toy aisle because they're Barbie dolls and therefore will be in the toy aisle. That doesn't make them toys. The same thing with video games. Having Halo Reach next to Mario Kart doesn't make Halo Reach a child friendly game does it? Of course not. It's up to the parent to decide not a toy company or a video game company.

Also you were compairing bad adult choices to tattoos 'why not just have a heroin Barbie' that would be compairing tattoos to drugs. And a tattoo is not the same adult choice. It doesn't affect your life the way drinking and drugs do. There was nothing to misunderstand from your post.

I don't know, maybe you don't explain things to your children the way I do. My 7 year old doesn't want earrings or a tattoo because they involve needles despite the fact that I have them and Barbie has them. She doesn't want to smoke because my husband and I explained it messes up your health permanently. She doesn't want to drink for the same reasons.

I'm sorry you feel that a toy company is to blame for it being harder to tell your child no. But really, it's not their responsibility to make your life easier.

Schmoopy - posted on 11/07/2011

Meggy, just because you have a tattoo and I don't doesn't mean I have a "stick in my butt." Maybe you misunderstood me - I wasn't saying that all people who have tattoos are drug addicts or alcoholics. I was using hyperbole to illustrate that adult choices don't work with a doll that's marketed to children. Mattel is introducing the advanced concept of tattoos to a child who doesn't understand the idea of a permanent decision. The reasoning later one (like when a girl turns 14 maybe) might go something like this: "Even my Barbie had a tattoo. What's the big deal if I get one?"



And by the way, Kelina, Barbie is NOT an adult. She's a toy!!! And she's a toy who is marketed to CHILDREN! Her "choices" send a strong message!



And my point about Barbie being a "Collector's Item" wasn't that I'm unable to say "no" to my child. It's that Mattel is skirting around the issue of controversy by putting a fancy label on a toy marketed to children. The CHILDREN don't understand the distinction between the Collector's Edition and the "regular" Barbie - they have exactly the same face and body and they look like the same "person" in commercials and print ads. So the toy is equally appealing to children whether it's the Collector's version or just regular ole Barbie. Mattel is being sneaky and underhanded - trying to escape criticism by slapping a different label on the box. We parents can still say no, of course, but Mattel is just making our job that much harder.

Kelina - posted on 11/06/2011

Furthermore, the only way my kids would ever be getting a barbie that cost that much would be if they paid for it themselves. They make collector barbies because they're limited edition. They're in the toy aisle because where else would they put them? I know plenty of adults that collect these barbies, and if they collect them for their kids the kids certainly aren't allowed to play with them. And of course a parent can say no, tell them it costs too much. My mom did it plenty of times to me, and I have no problem saying no to my kids. Does every parent out there say yes all the time simply because their kids ask? NO! And I'm sure you don't say yes every time either. so that's really not an argument.

Kelina - posted on 11/06/2011

Schmoopy Yes tattoos are an adult choice. Barbie is an adult. She's not a little girl making grownup choices, she's a grownup, who is able to make grownup choices. Alcoholic barbie-that would be a bad life choice. Being an alcoholic or a drug addict is a bad life choice, having tattoos is not. It's an art from, expressing yourself. Barbie has babies, she also has a little sister, and a boyfriend. Because these are all adult choices and that is respectable since Barbie is an adult. And to be honest wth you I'd rather my(totally metaphorical) twelve year old wanted a tattoo than a BABY. Because while Tattoos are permanent just like children, you aren't dealing with another human beings life with a tattoo. You aren't ending your childhood and totally changing the course of your life by getting a tattoo. My cousin is covered in them and works in childcare. My mom had a tattoo, a little flower on her arm and she worked for the government. Plenty of people out there have tattoos, and I'm perfectly fine with my kids seeing them and being around them. but a drug addict or an alcoholic? Rarely can they be respectable, productive members of society. Never are they safe to be around my children on their own, and to be honest I wouldn't want my kids anywhere near them. I have two alcoholics in my family and only one of them, my dad is allowed around my kids when he's drinking. He's never driven with them in a vehicle, nor will he ever, but he's also never been drunk around them. My mom used to call him a functioning alcoholic. And my brother is not welcome in my home if he's been drinking and he knows it. Yet neither of these people have tattoos, whereas my cousin is a wonderful person, great with kids and great at her job. It's wrong to believe that tattoos are synonymous with drugs and alcohol just like it's wrong to believe that all muslims are terrorists. I will say it again, Barbie is an adult, why should she not be able to make adult decisions?

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/06/2011

Oh wow! You mean that because you have to be 18 to get a tattoo it's an adult choice?! No friggin' way! Same with sex right? And so since Barbie has tattoos and children may ask about why Barbie has tattoos just like grandma's care aide or great grandma's CHN (community health nurse) parents MAY JUST HAVE TO EXPLAIN THINGS TO THEIR CHILDREN! Oh Lord have mercy! The world's gonna end because some doll designers made a DOLL GEARED TOWARDS ADULTS with tattoos and pink hair!

Get that stick out of your butt. Seriously, you are equating tattoos with alchoholism and drugs. And what parent is going to say 'Yes Emily, you can have a real tattoo because Barbie has one?' Especially one who already has tattoos and knows they hurt? Why would a parent do that to a child? Really? My 7 year old doesn't even want her ears pierced because she doesn't like needles, why would I want to get her a real tattoo?

Now if you all will excuse me I need to go shoot up and have a drink before I breast feed since because I have tattoos I must be into that as well. Never mind that I don't even use mouthwash with alcohol.

Medic - posted on 11/06/2011

Holy crap, I must be setting my kids up to fail! I mean I am covered in tats, my husband has tats, all of their aunts and uncles have tats. Apparently that is one step away from drug addicts and alcoholism. And on my the colored hair......shhhhh my five year old had blue hair at 3 and died is all green last summer, and he draws his own tats and has fake tats. Granted we don't do anything characterized ever, but appearances are not the most important thing in the world. I think it is asinine to compare tattoo barbie to heroin and crack barbie, or single mom barbie. Some women choose to be single mommies, and when our daughters play house they are essentially single mommies. Most of what our kids play with is adult like, its what kids emulate, we are their role models, and shame on those of you that compare tats to drugs and single parenting. I hope your children are far more accepting than you.....

Schmoopy - posted on 11/06/2011

Should I have said "Alcoholic Barbie"?

Seriously, like it or not, tattoos are an adult choice. That's not a judgment. It's a fact. It's a permanent alteration to your body done with needles. I'm not seeing a child being able to handle the pain much less the permanency of such a decision.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Barbie seem questionable to me, too. But at least they're naturally occurring states of being.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/06/2011

FML how is having a tattoo like doing drugs? Honestly are some of you that narrowminded that body ink equals druggy? I'm a mom with 2 daughters who does HOSPICE CARE and I have tattoos. I don't drink or smoke and have NEVER done drugs. I happen to know quite a few people who are parents and have tattoos, but don't do drugs or at the very least don't do anything worse than smoke a cigarette and that's not even done in front of their kids.



My 7 year old daughter HAS seen collector Barbies and has NEVER asked for one. Either she knows that that 60$ price tag is too high, or they don't interest her. I could see if the tattoos are offensive or obscene. But they're hearts and angel wings.



I just don't understand people who have decided that tattoos are as bad as being a heroine addict. Sheesh ladies.

Victorya - posted on 11/06/2011

They have pregnant barbies and breast feeding babies! I don't see how that is less of an "adult" choice than tattoos and pink hair!

Schmoopy - posted on 11/06/2011

Just jumping in to say that the "Collector's" Barbie is just semantics - Mattel's way of getting around offering a controversial toy. It's still Barbie, which is marketed to little girls. So when a little girl sees Tattoo Barbie and asks for it, what is a parent supposed to say??? NO??? Because she's a Collector's Item???



Come on. That kind of marketing garbage is an insult to my intelligence.





P.S. Nobody's judging whether or not you have a tattoo. It's not about that. It's about a TOY glorifying a very adult choice. What next? Heroin Chic Barbie?

Victorya - posted on 11/06/2011

I don't see the issue. People have tattoos, people have pink hair! So, what is the "big deal". A few conservative people want to put a stigma on it. Well, I would rather see a barbie with tattoos and pink hair, than the ones with huge boobs and mini skirts!

Teresa - posted on 11/05/2011

Well, he has 'Paid In Full' tattooed on the back of one of his shoulders. :)

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/05/2011

LOL Teresa, I'd almost guess that the priest at my parents' church has one! Their church did a Halloween fashion show to raise money a few weeks ago and the priest dressed in a Devil costume that included a tutu and told everyone that it was a new design from the Satanic666 line.

As I keep saying, my 7 year old won't want a tattoo because of Barbie (or me, or her grandmas) because they involve needles. The permanent ones anyway. We've done Henna, paint and temporary.

Teresa - posted on 11/05/2011

My girls had Barbies. Now the dolls belong to their brother. ;) I'd never buy a tattoo Barbie cuz the collector's editions of Barbies are outrageously expensive.

I'm not a fan of tattoos (except the temporary ones.... my kids LOVE those), but I know a lot of people that have them... including my pastor. ;)

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/05/2011

Because it's the Barbie aisle? I have a friend who works at WalMart in Slave Lake, AB a small town north of Edmonton. She told me that reguardless of the target age of the collector edition dolls that they'd be in the BARBIE AISLE because THEY ARE BARBIES. It's up to the parents to determine what to get their child. Not the store or the toy company. Heaven forbid a child see a tattoo on a doll even though they can't legally get one until 18 and their parents have to tell them no.

Sally - posted on 11/05/2011

If they are not toys, then why are they in the Toy Aisle? That is where they are located at every store I have been to. I am my daughters influence. I do give her credit. I am not worried. I just don't choose to participate in the notion that anything goes when it comes to kids toys. I wouldn't buy the Mcdonalds Play Doh playset either.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/05/2011

Thanks, I just think some parents don't give their kids enough credit. Why not be your daughter's influence instead of worrying that a doll will do it for you?

Kelina - posted on 11/05/2011

meggy they should have a rate button that says thank you, that's what I was trying to say!

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/05/2011

Collector's items are NOT CHILDREN'S TOYS! I took care of a woman who collects Barbies and she has some that she won't even let her aides touch because they are COLLECTOR'S ITEMS NOT TOYS!

I just asked my 7 year old daughter- who plays with Barbies- if seeing Barbie with tattoos would make her want to get a tattoo. She said no because getting tattoos hurts. So there goes the theory that seeing Barbie with tattoos would make her want them. She would want the pink hair. But I can always give her a wig if she wants that. My hair dresser back in NY and I have told her she can't dye her hair until she's 18 because it won't set correctly. Her favourite colour is pink so of course she'd want pink :)

I feel that this Barbie sends the message that it's OK to be different. That seems to be the theme for a lot of Barbies and the Monster High dolls Mattel started up. This is much better than Bratz which just seem to tell girls all you should aim for is fashion and a boyfriend. Barbie is usually shown with her friends. In the movies her clothing is always modest and she's always trying to help someone out. I don't see how that sends the wrong message to girls.

I grew up with Barbies and I believe I turned out fine. I don't have body issues even though I had the extremely out of proportion Barbies. I believe I can do what I want if I'm willing to work for it . And I'm not worried that some pink haired tattooed doll walking a cactus is going to corrupt my children

Kelina - posted on 11/04/2011

then what is age appropriate? We can't hide diversity in our childrens lives why should we ignore it in their toys?

Sally - posted on 11/04/2011

I don't feel I am teaching my child to judge people. I have absolutely no problem with tattoos on an adult. I wouldn't do it. But if it makes you happy, then go for it. I don't find it age appropiate on a childs toy.

Kelina - posted on 11/04/2011

Do you know what I remember from being a kid and playing with barbies? it was dressup just like with dolls. They had pretty "grownup" clothes. Barbie wasn't a little girl she was a grownup. She wore grownup clothes and did grownup things and had grownup friends. So i really don't see what the issue is with the tattoo. Barbie is a grownup and grownups can have tattoos. And as it has been stated previously by thetime they are allowed to have tattoos I really hope they're getting their inspiration from someone other than barbie. And honestly what's wrong with getting a tattoo as an adult? God loves us no matter who we are or what we do. Whether we have tattoos and pierced ears and pink hair that we put up in spikes, or look like everyone else expects us to look. and honestly I think that's what firghtens me most about this thread the number of moms on here who seem to be afraid to teach their daughters that it's ok to be different. It's ok for our daughters to wear different clothes and not look like everyone else. I hope I can teach my daughter modesty and that by the tie she's picking her own clothes she's not looking at barbie as a model, she's looking at me. So who cares what barbie wears and has on her body and done to her hair? I am confident in myself as a mother. There are things I don't agree with, the shows with kids with attitudes, but you know, in all the barbie shows i've ever seen, barbie is a normal young woman, often dressed modestly(I haven't seen too many of them though) who is kind, caring and mature.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/04/2011

My 7 year old hates needles. I'm sorry that so many people find it disturbing to have tattoos, but I'm a mom with tattoos. I also do paliative care and hospice care which is taking care of people dying from incurable illnesses such as cancer. I find it disturbing that so many people have issues with tattoos. It's ink, yes some of it is tacky, but a lot of people express themselves with their art. I have a sunflower on my shoulder because I've done a lot of hospice cases. I also have a butterfly on there to symbolize rebirth.

I really feel sorry for you all that you can't seem to see beyond someone's appearance to see if they're a good person or not. No wonder I have my tattoos where they can be covered. There are too many judgemental people out there teaching their children that tattoos are disturbing and people who have them probably have issues.

Schmoopy - posted on 11/04/2011

Sally, I just wanted to let you know you're not alone on the Barbie thing. I think the tattooed Barbie is disturbing. Just as I find temporary tattoos unsettling. Tattoos are for adults, not children. Making them accessible to children glorifies them and glosses over the fact that it is a very painful act of plunging needles into your skin and altering your body permanently.





To me, Barbie as a whole is disturbing. Her body is ridiculous - an impossible burden for any little girl to aspire to. Her clothing is often inappropriate. I would never buy my daughter one. Luckily she's 8 and it hasn't ever occurred to her to ask, so it's a non-issue.



I'm like you - I avoid media-themed toys. And, yes, it's very difficult to find toys that don't have Dora or Elmo or Barbie on them. But you can do it if it's important enough to you.



P.S. To all the posters who say a tattooed Barbie doesn't make a child want a tattoo, I disagree! Children DO want things they see glorified in toys. Maybe a little girl won't think of asking for a tattoo today, but growing up seeing Barbie have one normalizes it and certainly sets the stage for making a tattoo ok later in life. Maybe you're ok with your little one growing up and getting a tattoo. If it's up to me, I'm going to do all I can to discourage that.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/25/2011

I miss Target! We won't have them in Canada until sometime in 2013 even though they just bought out Zellers. I found my 7 year old's helmet in Walmart- I decided that she's too old to wear princesses or Barbie on things besides those ones don't fit.

My MIL makes some of my girls' clothes (I have a baby girl along with the 7 year old) and my 7 year old doesn't really watch much Disney stuff to get addicted to. So we have Hello Kitty and other design stuff. I found a really cute flamingo t-shirt at Target before we moved.

She does have Barbies and I do wish they'd stop with the heels. Mattel had heels in a doctor outfit package I don't think anyone in health care who actually does the care could wear heels all day. Sheesh. I bought an outfit pack that had clothes that didn't bare the tummy for her and some other clothes. I try to buy the cuter Barbie clothes since my MIL still works as a CNA and doesn't have the time to make them.

Monster High, I like the idea because it's creative. I just don't like the heels on everyone. I foresee a lot of bunions and atrophic tendons in the future. I've explained to my 7 year old that her heels are a sometime thing- she found that out walking to school one day. She's probably only getting Abby Bomniable though.

I allow my daughter to make informed decisions. She's told the choices that she has and then she makes her choice from that.

As for the doll with tattoos, I don't see a child wanting tattoos because Barbie has them. Especially when you tell a child that they have to get the tattoos applied with needles unless they just go to a place that does face painting. Besides, unless the tattoo shop is less than honourable most states and provinces won't do tattoos with out the parents' consent until the individual is 18.

Sally - posted on 10/25/2011

It took me 4 stores to find a helmet that did not have a character on it. Ended up with a plain pink one. I would have loved a flower one. I think the clothes get harder as she gets older, she sees more and more girls wearing the character shirts. She about jumped out of her skin at Target the day she discovered a Olivia Shirt. So excited, "mommy this is the store where they people on the clothes, you finally found it."

Sally - posted on 10/25/2011

Just because I don't like a barbie being marketed to young children does in no way mean my child doesn't get to make her own decisions. Age appropiate material should be the norm, not the other way around.

My child has seen adults with tattoos, she has family members who are in same sex relationships, she has a half brother from her dads first marriage. She isn't being raised in a bubble. But seeing an adult with a tattoo is totally different than walking down the doll aisle and seeing barbie with one. She gets to make her choices as an adult with an adult brain. Oh and the monster high dolls are just disgusting. I don't get those at all.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/25/2011

It's pretty easy not to buy character stuff- especially as they get older. My 7 year old has a helmet with flowers on it and a bike that's just teal with the brand on it. The only character we do is Hello Kitty on clothing and well everything else.

She has Barbies, but I refuse to buy Bratz.

Sally - posted on 10/25/2011

No, everything on the market is not characterized. But it is hard. Hard to buy a bike helmet without a princess or dora on it. Hard to buy a bike. It was much easier when she was younger. It gets worse the older she gets. She has character toys, most of them were bday gifts. I just avoid as many as I can. And I buy no character clothing. She has never had any. That too gets harder as she gets older. I refuse for her to be a walking ad.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/25/2011

Yes, I hope not Sally. I'm one of those people who allows her child to make her own decisions. And teaches her not base people's characters based on looks.I'm afraid I don't quite fathom the severity of a tattooed pink haired Barbie.

My child at 7 has already been exposed to tattoos, different colours in people's hair, body piercings, the explanation of why her father and I are divorced (adultry on his part), smoking (not me but other family members) drinking (again other family members) and of course she's already decided not to smoke. We've discussed drinking.

Oh and she's getting into Monster High dolls as well now.

Keli - posted on 10/25/2011

so do you hand make your childrens toys then sally? because everything on the market is Charactorised in some way.

Sally - posted on 10/25/2011

Don't really expect you to get it.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/25/2011

Oh God! The poor children getting marketed a Barbie with tattoos and pink hair! Sorry.... still not getting it.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/25/2011

Hey you want to buy your child a 50$ Barbie that's your own business. But when the box is black instead of colourful and says on the back pink, silver, gold or what have you collection that's a collector Barbie to me.

I still don't see the issue with pink hair and tattoos. You can't legally get a tattoo in the US or Canada until you're 18 anyway.

Sally - posted on 10/25/2011

Yep. It is her body, her choice. Don't care. Doesn't matter. What matters is what is marketed to children....

Keli - posted on 10/25/2011

@sally,since this swim instuctor was so wonderful with your daughter,would you still feel the same if she had a tattoo?