Is This Monster High Doll Anorexic or Just Too Thin?

on April 13, 2011 at 10:25 AM

Cleo De Nile Another week, another doll on the market for kids that's giving parents the heebie jeebies. The Monster High dolls have come under attack a number of times since they hit shelves as a tie in to the teen book series by Lisi Harrison -- some of it warranted, some of it not. But when a doll's proportions are so off that the product descriptions warn she can't stand on her own, it's hard to find a way to legitimize her being on the shelves.

Cleo De Nile is listed as one of the "Gloom Beach Dolls." Because apparently anorexic hooker doll didn't seem like it would get it on the shelves of the major toy stores. Pity, with a waist that's so thin she almost has none, it would be much more apt for the Monster High mummy.

Although the books are aimed at teenage girls (which actually made a "shaving and waxing" doll somewhat palatable), this supposed beach babe with barely anything covering her lady parts and the aforementioned non-existent waist is aimed at girls 6 years and up according to FAO Schwartz's listing for "manufacturer's age." At any age, she's gross. Twenty-somethings shouldn't want to look like that any more than 16-year-olds or 12-year-olds.

But at 6, "Cleo" is downright horrific. Sure, she's a mummy. She's not meant to be realistic. But even most Barbies cover up the impossible body with some clothes to make it less glaring. This member of the Monster High crew is letting it all hang out -- what little there is. Even the cartoon version -- as sultry and slutty as she is -- would be an improvement.

This underfed, overly obvious version, however, is being put in the hands of little girls at a time when the country is at a crossroads. We have identified the childhood obesity crisis as a real foe. But we have also come to realize that the "thin is in" concept has crept into elementary schools, where kids as young as 5 are going on diets.

No girl should ever look like Cleo De Nile. But if you put her in the hands of your 6-year-old, are you prepared to explain to her why not?

Image via FAO Schwartz

About the author Jeanne Sager

writes articles for The Stir by day, slays closet monsters and bounds through bedtime stories with her elementary schooler by night. Diet Pepsi courses through her veins. The Phineas and Ferb soundtrack reverberates through her brain.

Filed Under: books & media, toys, girls

Comments (31)

bether89

on Apr 13, 2011 at 10:59 AM

I would not buy the doll.

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Nonmember comment from Sweetbear

Because they're FANTASY dolls. My 7 year old has a few monster high dolls. Laguna blue is her favorite. She plays on the website and watches the online videos and not once has she said hey mom I wanna be skinny like this doll. Considering thats what it is...just a doll.

Tiger_lillyAiko

on Apr 13, 2011 at 11:05 AM

wow thats disgusting why whould someone even think of buying such a doll for anyone?

spaangel13

on Apr 13, 2011 at 11:31 AM

I have never bought my daughter any of the BRAT dolls and I most definitely would not buy any of these. I know some people have said, 'Barbie dolls are the same as any of those.' But I do see a difference folks. Barbie may have the curves and the big breasts but she never appears CHEAP or sleazy (in my book), doesn't have TONS of makeup on, and is not always on the party scene as the rest of these dolls appear to be. At least Barbie has a lot of different careers that young children can look up to and aspire to become. And no, Barbie is no saint in regards to portraying a certain body image; but compared to these others....she's Mother Teresa.

alliesmom112

on Apr 13, 2011 at 11:40 AM

I would not buy this for my daughter. I am very particular about what type of toys I allow my daughter to play with

navyma23

on Apr 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Its a doll, my kids use their imaginations and make up stories to play with them. Not worry about how skinny or fat they are. Barbie's real measurements are unrealistic too if you look those up. Don't like it, simple, don't buy it. Quit reading too far into this stuff.

bikerchickmommy

on Apr 13, 2011 at 12:24 PM

if you think about it barbie has come a long way from when she first came out. yeah barbie has a lot of CAREERS cause we want to tell our little girls they can do anything, be anything this day and age. and all the barbies i've ever had could never stand up on her own either and the monster high people are nice enough to include a stand. below is a piece i copied from wikipedia: here's a link if you want to take a look your self: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie

on Apr 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM

One of the most common criticisms of Barbie is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for a young woman, leading to a risk that girls who attempt to emulate her will become anorexic. A standard Barbie doll is 11.5 inches tall, giving a height of 5 feet 9 inches at 1/6 scale. Barbie's vital statistics have been estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips). According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the 17 to 22 percent body fat required for a woman to menstruate.^[14] In 1963, the outfit "Barbie Baby-Sits" came with a book entitled How to Lose Weight which advised: "Don't eat!."^[15] The same book was included in another ensemble called "Slumber Party" in 1965 along with a pink bathroom scale reading 110 lbs.,^[16] which would be around 35 lbs. underweight for a woman 5 feet 9 inches tall.

in all honesty i don't think barbie is any better then monster high or BRATS for that matter (really BIG head, tiny body) yeah that's better, NOT. my girls have cleo and draculaura. oh well guess i'm a bad mom.

Nonmember comment from Lei

on Apr 13, 2011 at 1:22 PM

But aren't these supposed to be collectible dolls? Similar to that of Bleeding Edge and Living Dead Dolls? I rather enjoy the line and I'm nearly 30 -- they are fantasy dolls. That specific doll is marketed to be the daughter of a mummy and even if these are introduced to kids I think all one needs to do is say, "These are fantasy dolls." It doesn't take much to separate reality from fantasy. Sure I'd put it into a kid's hand and I'd explain the history from which mummies hail from and the significance that they had throughout time. Which should help a child understand that they don't need to be like some random doll at the store.