Blogpost 4: Pregnant dolls

Women's most important purpose is to reproduce. It's written in nature that every women will be a mother someday and take care of a family. An effigy of women, Barbie, the doll who had it all of course needed to have a family at some point. Mattel's production team thought of bringing the subject first with Barbie's friend, Midge. Some stores sell Midge as a part of happy family together with his husband Alan and their 3-year-old son Ryan. Midge had a round detachable stomach and a curled-up baby inside so when little girls felt it was time for her to deliver, they could pull the baby out themselves. Just imagine the joy kids get with playing a pregnant doll, pretending they're doctors. The dolls' manufacturer created a pregnant Midge to help parents discuss pregnancy without having to show the graphic descriptions of the reproductive process. But what could be the possible effects of playing a pregnant doll to kids?

Mommy doll

I read an article entitled, "Barbie's Pregnant friend yanked" by Sue Chan from the site www.cbsnews.com.

You probably heard about Skipper (barbie's little sister) and Christie (barbie's African-American friend). But are you aware of Barbie's pregnant friend, Midge? She comes along with her husband Alan, 3-year-old son and carries her curled-up second baby inside her detachable stomach. The doll eventually received bad ratings. What would preadolescent kids get from playing a pregnant doll? Critics say the doll promotes teenage pregnancy. Another issue Midge is facing is that the dolls of Happy Family is each sold separately, so it doesn't turn out to be a really happy family.

The issue with  Midge dolls provoked Wal-mart to pull out stock saying it was needed in the situation. They needed to do it because it's their task to listen to costumers. If ever anyone asks for one, they would just bring out one from the stocks. The doll still managed to gain positive reviews. According to some citizens, the pregnant dolls is a wonderful instrument for parents to show their children role-play family situation especially for those expecting a delivery of a new family member.

Chan noted, "Dolls are designed to satisfy the desire for nurturing play by girls age 5 to 8."

Dolls are made for young kids to play with. But the dolls are more than just toys, they influence children. Since children are innocent and learning new things at this early stage, the dolls help in developing their young minds. The Midge doll is a  part of the Happy Family together with her husband and son but each are sold separately. Meaning, they have to buy each doll. But what if the kids or their parents only buy one? So, you get a pregnant doll without a husband. Or you have a 3-year old toy doll without parents. This would be a negative influence to the kids. This shows kids the situation of a broken family and they might think it's okay. Since the Happy Family dolls aim to nourish family traits selling them separately would not be a good idea. Another concern that i have with regard to Midge dolls, is that playing with pregnant dolls would not be a good influence to young girls. Yes, pulling out a baby their self would be fun but just imagine what would the children gain in favor. Though it might help the parents in explaining the delivery of an infant, it might also affect the children in a negative way. The dolls promote teenage pregnancy, another negative influence to the kids.


I also read one article entitled, "Pregnant 'Midge' Is Too Much for some" by Sarah Sue Ingram from the site articles.dailypress.com.

The article discusses the controversial birthing doll, Midge, which was a part of Happy Family line together with the groom doll Alan and their son. Many admired the doll but there were more who don't. They said the opinions are 50-50 type thing. Because of the issue, Wal-Mart on York town decided to pull-out Midge from their shelves. It was the best way to escape the problem with the pregnant dolls before something bigger happens.

The pregnant look is accomplished by a detachable round belly  the kids can take it off and pull out the baby. Because of that, Midge's stomach instantly flattens faster than those who are in their 3rd week of ab exercise routine. The citizens' concern is that the kids need natural play and not sensitive affair at the early age. The Barbie should be a role model for young kids and what would they learn from playing pregnant dolls? The doll would probably promote teenage pregnancy. Mattel is to commended for introducing the doll married. If it was released pregnant without the parents legally married, the doll would have impose that premarital sex is okay.Cecilia Huffman, a barbie collector, said the doll was getting too real.

Ingram said, "Some customers told they wouldn't buy the new Midge dolls because they didn't want their little girl playing with a pregnant doll and that the Barbie line of dolls is supposed to be a role model for young girls."

The dolls are more of just a toy. It's the kids role model since in their young age because what they play influences them. In that matter, playing with pregnant dolls might affect their young minds negatively. The kids should engage in playing a more natural toy. The pregnant dolls, in my opinion, is a little too mature for the kids.

We should be careful of what we let our children play. As said earlier, their toys affect their thinking. Playing with pregnant dolls would promote negative things such as teenage pregnancy, broken family and premarital sex. It's just too early for them to be exposed in a sensitive topic. At the end of the day, teaching kids sex ad moral value is abdicated to the parents.