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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/5/2009 7:05:34 PM
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Consecrated2God
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Remember, they have dolls from all of their stories. In the Samantha stories, her best friend worked in a factory where little children were hurt by machines. She rescues her from being sent off on the orphan train. The girls and her siblings were in an orphanage where they were neglected. In Kit Kittredge, her friend gets evicted during the Depression. These girls are homeless, too. Yes, they are expensive dolls, but the stories tell stories of girls who are not always in the best situations. Do they name them "Child Labor Nellie" or "Evicted Ruthie"? Of course not. They are just Nellie and Ruthie, just like any other American girl.
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"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/5/2009 8:11:46 PM
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OneOfHisJewels
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quote:
But they didn't make Nellie
They did make a Nellie doll for their "best friends" series.
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Wizard's rule #1 .People can be stupid and willfully deceived (that's from the book, not the show)..slightly edited for CW
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/5/2009 8:17:35 PM
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stampinlady
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Really? When dd the "best friends" come out? Dd was into them awhlle ago and we use to get the magazine. She just said the other day that she missed getting it. (
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Deb
"When the fufillment comes the types and shadows cease."
Author unknown
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 7:22:29 AM
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W.O.F.
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the best friend dolls came out about 6 to 8 years ago.....
I don't have a problem with the doll, for this reason....they always have a story that goes along with the dolls that educates children. Will I be buying the doll? not first hand...they are too expensive.
But look at it this way...a LOT of the girls who actually buy the dolls are not even aware that there are people that are not as well off as they are. They need to be taught about those less fortunate than themselves, and be taught that they are just regular people...not less then they are.
I wish my SIL would buy this doll for my niece. She needs a harsh lesson in reality as to what makes a person a person.
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Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 7:40:13 AM
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Consecrated2God
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
But they didn't make Nellie and Ruthie dolls now did they  Don't get me I loved the whole concept when they began and the stories were great, but where do you draw the line?
Yes, both Nellie and Ruthie are dolls.
I agree with W.O.F. It's good for kids to know that there are others less fortunate than they are.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 2:01:15 PM
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W.O.F.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
quote:
It's good for kids to know that there are others less fortunate than they are.
Well, I guess we agree on something.  I just find the whole concept strange if your not going to at least donate the procedes to the homeless, but that's just me.
I wish they were donating the proceeds to the homeless, but that would be seen as a ploy by some to sell their products I suppose as well. I think their whole concept of the dolls has been to show girls that girls are strong, and yet feminine, no matter what their historical, physical, financial, ethnic situation is. They have done that.
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Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 2:10:35 PM
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stampinlady
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quote:
They have done that.
Yes they have.
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Deb
"When the fufillment comes the types and shadows cease."
Author unknown
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 4:25:43 PM
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boolee
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Another think that American Girl encourages girls themselves to do something to improve the lives of those less fortunate than they are. I think that is the background in every story.
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 7:35:02 PM
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rawr.ben
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quote:
ORIGINAL: boolee
Another think that American Girl encourages girls themselves to do something to improve the lives of those less fortunate than they are. I think that is the background in every story.
If you get to be like "rich girl" then you can be happy.
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/6/2009 9:40:11 PM
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W.O.F.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rawr.ben
quote:
ORIGINAL: boolee
Another think that American Girl encourages girls themselves to do something to improve the lives of those less fortunate than they are. I think that is the background in every story.
If you get to be like "rich girl" then you can be happy.
I have never seen that in any of their stories....it is more about if you can help people, regardless of your situation, you will be happy.
_____________________________
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 4:22:18 PM
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FunBetty
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
I can think of better ways to spend $95 to educate children about homelessness.
Thank you.
Even though AG may have the stories behind the dolls, they are not always the focus. My dsd has a few of the dolls (from relatives), and at 8 years old she doesn't talk about the stories. She plays with the dolls. It would seem that this is putting out the wrong message...like homelessness is now high fashion.
(please don't pelt the shoes at me...) I'm just saying that to sell one of these dolls, they should at least donate proceeds from each doll, or something.
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 8:28:32 PM
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boolee
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For those familiar with American Girl dolls not all of the girls are rich. There is Kirsten that comes from Sweden and they live with relatives and don't have a place of their own and she befriends an Indian girl. Kirsten also helps her family get money by getting honey from a beehive.
Yes, Samantha is rich but she has no parents because they both drowned when Samantha was a baby. She has to live with her grandmother. She has alot for a girl in her time but she gives away a beloved doll to Nellie because she doesn't have one. She also rescues Nellie and her sisters from the orphanage.
Addy is a daughter of slaves, her father and brother are sold and she and her mother have to run away up north to escape slavery. Her story is very sad but the theme is to not be angry with those that are bad to you. Her brother eventually leaves slavery and joins the civil war. He is missing for awhile then is found but is missing an arm. The dad is also reunited with the family. There is also a baby that they have to leave behind but is eventually found.
Molly grows up during the WW2. Her father is a doctor but is called to duty. Her struggle is dealing with her father being gone and she gets a part in the school play then gets sick on opening day.Her worries are similar to children today that have parents gone off to war. She also deals with lack of money issues and has to come up with creative ideas to make money stretch farther.
Julie is the newest of the American Girls and has to deal with the divorce of her parents. She has a hard time adjusting to living in a different place that is smaller and having to leave her pet behind. She does help out at a homeless veterans center and invites them to her house on thanksgiving.
Rebecca is a new doll that I have not read her books yet but I do know that her family is Jewish, She was born in New York but her parents are Russian and some of her family is still in Russia.
Chrissa is a story of the year and when 2009 is over, Chrissa, Gwen (the "homeless girl") will no longer be sold.
I really don't see what the big deal is with Gwen yes, she was homeless in the book but my goodness that happens in our world today. Should it be totally ignored by society. ?
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 9:05:54 PM
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W.O.F.
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I can see where some 8 year olds would only be caught up in the dolls...but to be honest...that is what parents are for....to encourage them to read the books that come with the dolls.
I personally would not buy the dolls...I would buy the books though. :)
and it would be nice if they donated at least half the proceeds from this new doll to help the homeless.
_____________________________
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 9:22:51 PM
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Consecrated2God
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Sure, it would be nice, but they are a business, not a non-profit organization. Lots of business give money to charity because it makes them look socially responsible, and social responsibility is good for the company's image and reputation. But it's not something they are obligated to do by any means.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 9:25:37 PM
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manda59
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Except that in this instance they are effectively making money out of homelessness.
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"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/7/2009 9:29:54 PM
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PinkCarnations
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
Except that in this instance they are effectively making money out of homelessness.
That's how I feel too.
If you want to spend $95 to teach your child about homelessness, there are more effective ways of doing so. Mattel is gaining by using the homeless with a doll that is going to just wind up under the child's bed anyway.
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Thank you Veterans.
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/8/2009 8:34:26 AM
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macokjc
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I have waffled in my feelings on American Girl dolls in the past because of their ties with Planned Parenthood and the National Organization of Women. However, I have to give them a pass in this situation. Why?
1. They are a business. The main objective of any business is to make money. Without money, they would not be able to support their business, or pay the salaries of the people that work there. It is called capitalism, and it is part of what makes America a great country.
2. Gwen (the homeless doll) is NOT part of their historical line. She is a friend doll - a friend of Carissa, the 2009 doll of the year. She is no different than the Nellie or Ruthie dolls, as stated in an earlier post. She was not created to teach about homelessness, she is an extension of another doll's story. The girl of the year dolls were created to promote healthy self-images and teach character lessons relevant to today's girls. (honestly, bullying, making right choices, etc.)
3. People have been using homelessness in stories for YEARS - where is the outcry? Did your kids ever read the Boxcar Children books? Would you refuse to buy those if all the proceeds were not given to homelessness. What about the Anne of Green Gables series? - I don't remember a big outcry about those proceeds not going to orphans.
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/8/2009 8:47:38 AM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4923
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quote:
She was not created to teach about homelessness, she is an extension of another doll's story.
Exactly.
And your point number 3 was very excellent, too.
quote:
3. People have been using homelessness in stories for YEARS - where is the outcry? Did your kids ever read the Boxcar Children books? Would you refuse to buy those if all the proceeds were not given to homelessness. What about the Anne of Green Gables series? - I don't remember a big outcry about those proceeds not going to orphans.
Are their makers profiting off of homelessness?
And I'd like to repeat my question--should makers of high-quality dolls only portray rich kids?
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/8/2009 12:05:59 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: macokjc
3. People have been using homelessness in stories for YEARS - where is the outcry? Did your kids ever read the Boxcar Children books?
No, never heard of them.
That apart, books are there to be read, and, as such, teach people about the issues written about in their pages. (They don't generally cost $95 each either.) The outcry here isn't against a book, it's against a doll, a plaything.
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"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Homeless American Girl doll, really??? - 10/8/2009 12:28:54 PM
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Consecrated2God
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The American Girls are books, Manda. Have you even read them?
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"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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Yes, I know Jesus said the "poor will always be with us," but still it's sad to me.
