Question about dolls and race

Ikkin32dvs · November 2012

I was telling some of my family that I will probably buy dolls for my kid to play with that "look different than them" like an asian or black barbie instead of white.... I think it is kinda strange that white people play with white dolls and vice versa. I want my child to be aware of other races and cultures and don't want them to think that their playmates need to look just like them. My sister thinks this is stupid and that you should "stick to your race." I know this is a weird post haha but wanted to know what you guys thought...

JSS1002 · November 2012

I had never thought about this before, but I can see why you'd want your kids to play with dolls of ALL races... however, I also see why if your daughter was going to have a special dolly, you'd want the doll to look like her.

(I think that is why they started making dolls of different ethnicities in the first place!)

BrittKav · November 2012

We have the Corolle Mon Primere brand of dolls for the girls. The line has one white, one black, and one Asian. DDs have the black and Asian dolls because I thought they were cuter than the white one. Stick out tongue

JordynLeighx3 · November 2012

I would offer a variety of both. This is kind of a funny situation, **I am by NO MEANS RACIST**. I am white, and when I was a child (5/6) my mother was with my brothers father who is Hispanic. She thought it would be a good idea to give me a doll that was hispanic. I don't remember this but she later told me as I got older that when I opened it on christmas, I threw it across the room and started crying because the doll didn't look like me. It makes sense now for children to want dolls that look like them. NOW, when I think of it I laugh because I had no idea how wrong it was that I had that tantrum.

As long as you introduce it at an early age, I think it's great! Especially now that there are so many different childrens programs that are becoming more diverse, I would think your daughter who have no issue with it.

Murraydog · November 2012

I totally hadn't thought about this at all. I think that's good logic that you have to introduce your child to dolls of all different races. We kind of have that within my family.....my brother adopted a little hispanic baby and my other sister adopted an african american baby. We also live in a very diverse area so our kids will be exposed to all sorts of different people and cultures. I haven't really gone out of my way to buy her any dolls yet, but I don't think I'd hesitate to get one of a different race than what we are.

Ikkin32dvs · November 2012

I agree- I am not oppose to dolls that look like them or anything I just think it's important to normalize other cultures in a way that is integrated into your parenting instead of a side note.... I guess I feel like this because I would like to adopt a child from Korea (as I was born there due to my mother being in military) and a lot of my step-father's side of the family think it is ridiculous to adopt outside of our own culture

Ikkin32dvs · November 2012

I like that!

TnArichmond · November 2012

I think it is a GREAT idea. This will help to alleviate any awkward comments that might arise when your DD sees someone in public that is a different color. Daycares have state regulations for certain accredations that require them to have multicultural toys so that children have the experience.

I wish I thought doing of this with my DD who is now 4.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha · November 2012

I kind of agree with children naturally leaning towards dolls that resemble them to a certain extent. On the other hand, my 3-year old absolutely loves her Lala Loopsy doll, and she most definitely does not look like it

Personally, I don't think the kind of doll you get your DD will really change her view of the world. There will be plenty of occasions for you to teach her about other races even if you only get her dolls that look like her.

mypalbabs · November 2012

Hey, if diversity is something you really do value, take a look at the humans (not just the dolls) in your life and in your child's life. If you only see people who look just like you, how believable is it going to be that you value diversity if the only diversity that exists in your child's life is in the toy box?

courtneyt13 · November 2012

As someone who is black, I make a special point to purchase black/ethnic (tan, brown, whatever) dolls for my dd. Mainly, because there aren't a whole lot out there. She is bombarded with images of white dolls and characters, but there isn't a lot of diversity. I know there is a lot more than when I was growing up. I think it's awesome that you are exposing your dd to more than just one type of doll. Ultimately she will pick the doll or stuffed animal she likes, but it's nice that she has a great selection.

Anyway DD has white dolls too since they are much more common and she has a nice little multicultural collection. As for her actually playing with the dolls, I don't push her to play with anyone in particular. I just like her to have options. At her age now I don't think she has any idea that the dolls have races or colors.

Ooglybear · November 2012

I had black Barbies as a child for that reason.

agytay · November 2012

I agree. It is a great idea and I actually applaud you for recognizing this. Of course she should have dolls that look like her, but it is great that you are being very inclusive and very proactive.

Not to stero-type, but all too often many caucasians tend to "stick to their own" when it comes to dolls; however, it has been well documented that young minority girls will actually reject dolls that look like them since they discretely given the message (through media and marketing) that curly hair and darker skin is less desirable. You can watch videos on this and it is really astounding that a black girl has a very high probability of believing that a white dolls is better..

Want a personalized experience?

Question about dolls and race

Re: Question about dolls and race

Choose Another Board

Search Boards