The Evil of Dora

In the New York Times this Sunday, Gary Cross, a professor of history at Pennsylvania State University, pens a breathtakingly confusing op-ed on the dangers of, not only outsourcing toy manufacturing, but allowing "licensed toys" (Dora, Barbie, etc...) from being introduced to our children. "Young people" just haven't developed the critical judgment necessary to, gulp, deal with "consumerism." Like any good paternalist, Cross uses a scare (the recent Mattel recall, in this case) to kick things off. We quickly jump to commercials.

....In the early 1970s, child advocates like Action for Children's Television recognized that television ads for toys had a magical power over children. They tried to ban these commercials to give parents, not toy companies, control over the desires of their offspring. In 1978, Michael Pertschuk, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, argued that ads appealing to young children were inherently "unfair."

"Unfair"? So then it's a great life lesson for kids. Cross believes it's time to rethink our decision to "allow" advertising and cartoon promotion of toy lines "that has produced year-round marketing and piles of plastic toys, bought and soon discarded." Magical powers, you see, can be used for evil.

After all, we ought to be just as concerned about the impact of character licensing and toy advertising on our children's psyche as we are on protecting them from ingesting leaded paint and magnets.

Actually I don't even know Professor Cross, so "we" don't have any say in my kids toy selection. My daughter's Dora doll is hardly as dangerous as lead paint on either an emotional or physical level. The thing is, parents are already free to restrict their children from watching television and from buying licensed toys. In fact, with the technology most American children need not watch any commercials by using (Tivo) and tuning in Noggin. Do I need George Bush or Harry Reid to help? No.

Moreover, though I have no idea why a non-licensed toy would be any less harmful to children, I can, still purchase such toys at any Toys R Us. No, it's not always easy for a parent to say no to child, but (and I'm no parenting specialist) exhibiting some self-control and delayed gratification are both key in raising a successful child. Or more important, at the very least, then another federal intrusion on parenting.

Comments

[TwoKnives]

Perhaps you could tell us, Mr. Harsanyi, since you could (if you wanted to) restrict televison and licensed-toy-buying in your home, how you would restrict your child from toy advertising: heard on the ads on Bus Radio to and from school five days a week; on cereal, yogurt, chips, crackers, ice cream, card games, and toothbrushes in stores; on children's books in our libraries; in children's magazines and in our daily newspaper; at "co-sponsored" events at our local park and public libraries; at the movie theater; on billboards and on the sides of city buses; packaged with fast food meals; and on televison at their friends' homes?

I'd also appreciate the name of a store where I can purchase a reasonably priced t-shirt for my five-year-old without a licensed character on the front.

Thanks!

[CJGibson]

>I'd also appreciate the name of a store where I can purchase a reasonably priced t-shirt for my five-year-old without a licensed character on the front.

Amazon seems to have a decent selection.

[TwoKnives]

Thanks, CJGibson. Amazon is a good choice for me, but unfortunately, not all parents have home computers or the skills needed to naviagate and order online. This is especially true for low-income and minority homes. I'd like to see the same choices at our local discount store.

[outsidethetoybox]

And let's not forget the advertising embedded in unexpected spaces like schools (through Channel One programming and corporate sponsored curriculum), in community orgs (e.g., the Girl Scouts' Limited Too "shopping" badge), and even in church (e.g.,Disney incentives for clergy to integrate films into their sermons...

While I agree that a Dora doll does not pose the same threat as lead paint, it's irresponsible to suggest that somehow parents alone can provide some sort of sheild against the rampant marketing positioned toward children. It's in our schools, in our public spaces, in some of our most trusted voluntary associations, and even rears its head in church.

My kids watch less than one hour of tv per month (and PBS at that), we own no "character" toys, and even steer our kids so that pay dates are at parks and playgrounds instead of at peers homes where they may be exposed to media, but my daughter still knows logos, which princess is which, and that you get toys with your food at McDonalds... trust me, it's everywhere.

It is a social problem that needs social solutions. You can say you don't care or don't want to put in the effort to address the issue, but don't tell me it isn't a problem.

[lakat]

I don't know about keeping licensed toys away from children so they will grow up better equipped for a healthy adult life, but I do believe that parents ought to pay more attention to their children. Too many lessons (dance, sports, etc.), too much TV babysitting and video games and not enough one on one activities with parents are what is making our children lacking in critical thinking, values, character skills and good manners.

If you want to have a child, be sure you want to spend the time necessary to teach them how to be good future citizens as well as feeding and clothing them. OR DON'T HAVE A CHILD.

[dynadem]

Maybe *we* should do away with laws that prohibit sales of cigarettes to under 18. After all, parents are already free to restrict their children's cigarette smoking.

[camb94]

When Dora first debuted, my oldest daughter was then 4. Nickelodeon was unprepared for how quickly Dora would catch on. There were no Dora dolls. And it was actually a shame. The problem isn't licensing. It is quality. I have no problem buying a licensed product for a show or character that I approve for my kids. I draw the line at quantity and overall quality. It saddens me that these issues come up because they are a distraction from the real problems facing our children -- education, national debt. I think it is much more important to give our kids good critical thinking skills (which are definitely lacking in most young adults) than worrying about a Dora or a Blue's Clues character

[bethinCary]

all of these little "Happy Meal" plastic toys are a waste of oil. They get thrown out-only to clog up landfills-since they are not biodegradable.
Surely all of the Fastfood chains can come up with something better than this. Chick-Filet actually does a pretty good job-doing educational books and other items.