I know that we have come a long way from our pioneer settlers' style corn cob dolls, toys and games. I know that people place different importance levels on toys and games. I also know the thrill of my daughters falling in love with a doll that they can dress up, play "momma" to and just adore.A while ago my generation of mothers started getting obsessed with American Girl Dolls. No biggie, there is always some retail item that captures a generation and they go a little nuts. I never got into the whole thing, I usually don't and after finding out that one of these dolls would set me back about $70.00 a piece, I really had no interest. But here's what has gotten under my skin. A while ago, American Girl partnered up with Girls Inc., an organization that promotes "girl power" and started selling "I Can" bracelets and donating 70% of the proceeds to Girls Inc., along with an additional 50K. Unfortunately, Girls Inc. also support abortion, homosexuality and other agendas I absolutely cannot allow my hard earned money to support (see Pro-Life Action League link).
Then I ran across this blog with a story about the American Girl store in Manhattan that made me even more glad that I do not support this company and their "customer service". Apparently this is a very exclusive club and if you are not willing to join the "club" (buy the overpriced plastic doll made by Mattel), the store and it's services are simply not for you. You will not believe this story (granted, I do not know the authenticity of this story, but who in the world would make this up?).
4 comments:
It's such a quandry, isn't it, Angel?
I researched AG quite a bit around the time of that Pro-Life Action League posting because Emily was so interested in reading the AG books and it worried me...but I think AG abandoned the "I Can" stuff, because it's no where to be found on their website now (and it was before -- I'd read the "creed"). Neither is it on the Girls' Inc. site anymore.
I was really, really torn at the time as to what to do, but my sister had read the books and said they were pretty good so we let her continue reading them. The movies are really good, too. (Even my dad loves them!) I've explored quite a lot of the Girls' Inc. website (ironically, the club was formed in the 1840s), and it promotes a lot of good causes and ideas for girls, none of which includes the agenda previously warned of. That's not saying it isn't there, but I think maybe public pressure made them back off of it a little? We can only hope because I think our girls do need to know they can do anything God has in mind for them.
That woman's experience was so sad. I think she should have gone straight to the management and complained -- loudly and clearly. It might not have been company policy to turn away sweet little girls with "fake" dolls. (Shame on all those mothers in line!!) It may have been the snobby stylist's opinion. $20 is $20...and I'm sure the company officials might have thought that.
How sad.
P.S. You'll laugh at me...must be my old reporter instincts kicking in...I just got off the phone with a very pleasant (seriously) phone operator at the AG store in NY. She said they are starting to take other types of dolls, but they have to assess the doll to see whether or not the styling can be done. (I guess due to the way the hair is attached in the doll's "scalp." Maybe they don't want to ruin the doll?) LOL!
WOW! Did you see the almost 500 comments on that? My daughter has wanted one of these, but we've never bought one. Partly because I heard about their support of abortion and all, partly because we simply can't afford that. That POOR little girl- I would have been one livid mama! Thanks for sharing this!!! Now my mind is totally made up!!!
I had no idea about the american girl corp. Thanks for the information. I have to say that it made me sad to hear it though. I can remember spending hours pouring over the american girl catalogs when I was little, dreaming of someday having one of their dolls. (My parents could never afford them) HOwever, looking back now I survived without one. :)
Post a Comment