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American Girl Confronts Bullies

by Rick Phillips, Executive Director

How pervasive is bullying in America?  The fact that the American Girl doll company has created a new doll that stands up to bullies says a lot about bullying as part of our culture.

Millions of children are introduced to the American Girl doll series through TV and print advertisements.  There are dolls representing American heroines from the Revolutionary War period, dolls that represent girls/women in various careers as business women, doctors, sports/athletic champions, and politicians.  The long lines of little girls and their mothers outside the American Girl doll store in Chicago are indicative of how these dolls have become part of mainstream American culture.

Thus, the company’s initiative to issue a homeless doll who takes on bullies is their recognition of the fact that American children are subjected to bullying.  The company should be commended for using the American Girls brand to stand up against bullying.  More voices, including those of dolls, should be taking these initiatives to bring attention to the problem and impact of bullying on our children.

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