The Homeless American Girl Doll
By now, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about the new, Homeless American Girl Doll, Gwen. (If not, read about it here.)
Gwen's mother does a pretty good job of getting her dressed for school in that car. She's more coordinated than my kids on any given day.
I have a couple of thoughts about this new addition to the American Girl (now clearly dysfunctional – ha!) family:
First, did they do any market research on this? Does this homeless doll fill a quiet void among children of parents who are able to spend $95 on a doll?
I’d also like to know which charity provided the Gymboree-quality, fully coordinated outfit of this lil’ sweetheart. Yes, I can tell that her seersucker dress doesn’t require ironing, which is a good thing. Obviously, her mother can’t very well iron in the car. And, Gwen’s mother is quite the artist. She’s dressed much better than my kids do on the average school day!
I think that introducing dolls of different backgrounds is a spectacular idea. Sure, it would make sense that in this day and age, there would be a doll from a single parent household. I think they jumped the shark a bit with the whole “homeless” bit, but then again, the singer Jewel lived in a car with her mother for quite some time as a young girl. Perhaps this was the American Girl attempt at showing hope.
Then again, it could be one more way to make actual homeless children feel inadequate, with their less-polished attire and hairstyles.
It’s a good thing Gwen is out of my price range. If my daughter wants a homeless doll for Christmas, I will take one of the forgotten, neglected Generican Girl dolls laying around my house and re-gift it to her.
You are too funny.
I forgot about these dolls until I read your blog. My sister had an American girl doll when we were kids and I read some of the books. I remember the one girl, Samantha, from the early 1900s had become friends with one of the servant's children or something like that. I went on the dolls' website and found that Samantha's friend is now a doll herself. I think it would've been better to introduce this "Gwen" character as a friend or companion to an existing doll rather than flat out making her the next "star" in the doll line. Though one can argue that a homeless child has every right to be the main protagonist in a new doll/book series, I feel by doing so raises too many eyebrows and as Shannon says, makes people uncomfortable.
I'm curious as to what degree of realism the American Girl company will go and how this doll will be offered. Also, as you said…what kind of research led them to thinking a doll like this will bring in profits? It seems all the dolls come with different outfits, accessories, and furniture…what is Gwen going to get? An old car and dated outfits from the Salvation Army?
Toys are supposed to be the tools of children to utilize their imaginations, creativity, and just allow them to play. Even the educational toys are made fun. A toy whose main characteristic is that she's homeless doesn't seem too appealing unless your goal is for some kind of social awareness for your child. Just leave issues like that for books and movies.