Saw this TV advert here in Britain for a Baby Alive toy doll.
Its called Snackin Noodles Baby.
Its here on You Tube too. Have a look.
Now what struck me about Noodles is the sheer realism of this toy, an eating pooping living doll [sorry Sir Cliff!]. I was gobsmacked that a toy company would replicate the human digestive system in all its glory as a form of play.
Its not new though! My daughter informs me she had a peeing doll back in the Eighties and a pregnant doll called Steffi Baby! Apparently she's still in our attic, up there with Pino the learning robot!
It seems to me that dolls aimed at girls have a long history of realism. I don't recall such attention to detail in the action dolls for boys, which came my way.
OK, we had talking Action Men and Joes with gripping hands, real hair and eagle eyes. And he did have that facial scar. But nothing else.
I don't expect Action Man to have cried or peed but maybe he could have bled or snapped a bone or two. After all we had all the medic stuff to hand!
Like Baby Alive, is this trend for realism in girls' toy dolls just another tale of clever marketing?
Or is it a practical aid for future parents in the way say a ResusiAnnie doll is for first aiders?
Or is it part of the long slippery slope of gender stereotyping in toys?
Girls bring up babies - Boys fight men?
Having a baby Grandson it's on my mind - and maybe my lap!
Having a baby Grandson it's on my mind - and maybe my lap!
What do you think of Snackin Noodles Baby readers?
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