Boycott Bratz

We are two female college undergraduates who are extremely concerned by the growing “overtly-sexualized” imagery presented to young girls, especially as embodied through Bratz dolls.

Bratz dolls embody a hyper-sexualized portrayal of young girls—big eyes, scantily clad, plumped limps, heavy makeup, long flowing hair, eyelash extensions.

The hyper-sexual Bratz dolls are problematic because:

1. Sexualization has been linked with the three most common mental health problems for girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression.

2. With the development new digital platforms, mass mediated images are being distributed on a much wider scale than ever before and the constant exposure to such images negatively affects the way in which young girls view themselves and the role they should occupy in society.

3. Such sexualized portrayals of girls has wider societal effects in the way that others, such as the adult shoppers, view girls –leading to increased sexual harassment and sexual violence as well as demands of child pornography (Report of the APA task force on the sexualization of girls, 2006).

We need strong girls who will grow into strong women – beaming with self-confidence, wit, intelligence, a sense of adventure, but most importantly a sense of self. Therefore, we should be demanding toys that promote such growth.