The American Girl Doll Cult Isn't so Bad After All

on January 30, 2012 at 1:30 PM

american girl doll problem
Why Does She Scare Me So Much?If you have a daughter, you know all about this American Girl Doll. Or I should say, "dolls." Lots and lots of smooth-skinned dolls with fancy, expensive duds, just waiting to go home with your little lady as long as you shell over hundreds of dollars. It's a winning business model for the AGD folks, and I'm not one to begrudge anyone their success. Additionally, as a consumer of fun things for my kids, I'm not averse to buying them toys. I love toys. It's the cult-like following that I take issue with when little girls are sucked into the vortex of the cafes and showrooms.

Our home is American Girl Doll-free, by design. But something happened at the carpool drop-off lane that has me re-thinking my anti-stance. And it's probably the same thing that has happened to millions of mothers all over the U.S.A. who also swore they'd never drop a c-note on a toy.

Two of my daughter's super cute classmates announced to me today that they had just gotten an American Girl Doll. No, I'm not that easily swayed by peer pressure. It was the way these two cuties said it that made me reconsider my ban. I was helping these little ladies out of their car seats when they looked up at me, and very excitedly announced the arrival of their new "friend." If one little girl had done it, it would have been cute. But when two adorable munchkins are waxing poetic about their American Girl Doll, my heart melts a little bit.

I immediately cornered yet another mom of a little girl -- one who I deemed reasonable, and therefore, like-minded -- and asked her about her daughter's doll collection. She pretty much summed it up when she said they were avoiding the American Girl Doll store at the mall, but if one showed up in her daughter's bedroom, hey, she wouldn't kick it out. Then she voiced my biggest fear when she admitted that she wouldn't be surprised if this time next year, we were taking our daughters for tea with their dolls, and all six of us were wearing matching outfits.

And that's where they get ya. It's cute imagining your little girl loving something so much she dresses just like it. Throw in a tea party, and you're a couple hundred bucks poorer but isn't your little girl so sweet? Ack.

Are you in the American Girl Doll cult?

Image via AmericanGirl.com

About the author April Peveteaux

writes about anything that gets stuck in her craw. A mom of two in Los Angeles, she can't believe she practically lives in the country now after attempting to raise kids in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: fun & games, girls, play

Comments (21)

Nonmember comment from h

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:35 PM

I get what you are saying about American girl doll s. I've encouraged my step daughter to enjoy these dolls to be an alternative to Barbie, bratz and monster high. Overall I think these dolls are pretty nice and at least they aren't resembling hookers and actually look kinda like a little girl.

Report this comment

PamalaLauren

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:40 PM

Yep, my daughter got her first for Christmas this year. It looks just like her and she loves it. Sleeps with it. Plays with it. She's happy so why not. She won't be getting another though, and I watch it like a hawk. Anything that costs that much money will be treated properly!

CraftyJenna

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:48 PM

I had one growing up and my daughter will have that one and another at least. American girl dolls aren't just expensive, they are quality and come with a lifetime warrenty. It's not like spending hundreds on cheap crap. Plus there are ways to make it a little less expensive, like instead of buying official "American girl doll" furnature my mom bought doll furnature of the smae style/size from a man who builds it, which luckily I still have. And you can sew them clothes, etc.

hannahsmom238

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:52 PM

I had one growing up. Still have mine infact. I let my daughter play with it but I watch her carefully since it's a doll that is no longer being made so I can't get her hair replaced again. My daughter also has the baby twins my dad built bunkbeds for them. They're expensive but they last forever and the stuff it really high quality.

fave82

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:55 PM

Im w craftyJenny.. I had one and my daughter will take it in a yr or two since its still brand New... And if she wants one of her own id be more than willing. You're not just paying for a 'name', youre paying for quality. Id rather drop 2 hundred bucks on something made well and classic than spend 20 on a plastic poece of crap.

LKRachel

on Jan 30, 2012 at 1:58 PM

I had Samantha (and still do although she needs some tlc on her hair!) and really I loved the books that went with her! I had the Molly books too and it was fun to read about how life was for 'her' and then play w her etc. and my Grandmother was an interior designer so she always had extra fabric lying around and she made most of her clothes. I mean yes, it's a doll, but it's books PLUS history mixed in. not too bad :)

Melissa042807

on Jan 30, 2012 at 2:08 PM

I LOVED the books when I was a kid and also got the magazine for a few years. I never had a doll, though. My family couldn't afford it and I knew it. So I contented myself with poring over the catalogs and imagining myself playing with all the collections. No budget in the imagination! :-)

I wouldn't object to my (future) daughter owning an American Girl doll. I think they're way more age-appropriate than a heckuva lot of little girls' toys on the market today. And I love that they come with books and history lessons. American Girl helped spark my love of history.

Nonmember comment from Shannon

I loved my Samantha doll and she is actually packed away in my storage closet in case I have a daughter. My mom sewed a few outfits for her and didn't buy me all the accessories, but I do have some of them. I would probably do the same for my own daughter: let her have one, but remind her that she wouldn't be able to get EVERYTHING for it.

Nonmember comment from Jennifer

on Jan 30, 2012 at 2:17 PM

The quality of the dolls went downhill once the Pleasant Company was sold to Mattel. The focus shifted from the educational historical dolls to the narcissistic "Doll that Looks Like You!" Not to mention they're made in China now.

LovinJerseyMama

on Jan 30, 2012 at 2:25 PM

I bought my girls two Journey dolls that look just like them and are gorgeous. I can't justify the price tag of an AGD at their ages, maybe when they turn 8 or so and can properly care for that kind of investment lol. But irrelevantly, I'm not impressed with the AGD looks either. I get tons of compliments on our Journey Girls from moms who own AGD and wish they had bought their children the Journey brand instead lol. AGD is just a brand at the end of the day. It's like the difference between UGGS and BearPaw, both are the exact same thing for a different price. Children shouldn't be thinking about that kind of stuff. A doll is a doll. If one was better quality then I'd pay for that, but a lot of these doll brands are all the same. I would buy my kids an AGD if they came to me and said I love the way she looks or her background story, but not because of the name brand. Just my opinion :)