Bring back paper paper dolls

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Barbara F. Meltz writes the Globe's Child Caring column. She is author of "Put Yourself in Their Shoes, Understanding How Your Children See the World," and a frequent speaker to parent groups. Join her chat on the first and third Monday of the month at noon.

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« For your daughter's travelling pleasure | Main | A cautionary tale »

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

stardoll jpg.jpg

As a grade-school girl, playing with paper dolls was something I could do for hours on end in the half-closet/cubby-hole behind our rec room that became my private retreat. I even remember inviting my sister to play once in a while.

Alas, you don't hear much about paper dolls anymore. Until today. They're hot again, but they're virtual: On-line "paper dolls" that New York Times' writers Matt Richtel and Brad Stone describe as "training wheels" for MySpace.com or FaceBook.com.

Like so much else of the on-line world that is pitched to our kids, there are concerns with this, mainly the time it takes away from other real-life activities and the advertising on the sites that are aimed at girls. Two of the most popular sites, Stardoll and Cartoon Doll Emporium, say their users are as young as 7 and 8, according to the NYT. I don't have a problem with the celebrity aspect of it -- my favorite paper doll was Dinah Shore (yikes!) -- but I have to admit that part of the appeal for me was the physicality of the activity, especially cutting out the clothes. I was a really careful cutter.

dinah shore jpg.jpg

Posted by Barbara Meltz at 10:26 AM

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