Why do toy makers make what they make? One reason only – to turn a profit. It is true that a market can be created. However in order to do that the foundation must already exist, they must build on what is already there. Toys in general maybe a reflection on society, a microcosm, a virtual reality.

Play is common to all young mammals. Play is preparation for adult life, acting out the part. Humans are tool users. For the human mammal toys are tools that assist play in preparation for life. Human adult life is a very complicated affair. There are multiple levels of social interaction, differing social roles at different times and places. We must, as adults play many roles, wear many hats. Sexuality is one such role. Yet how do children play at sexuality safely? Do the Bratz dolls represent the current social idealization of sexuality?

Rather than condemn one toy perhaps a better way would be to look at the entire content of a toy store. In that vast array of toys the whole gambit of human life and society can be seen.

Bratz dolls, like many other toys, guns for instance, are nether right nor wrong, but reflect aspects of social life and values. When the social values change so will the toys

I too dislike the ‘passion for fashion’ marketed along with the Bratz dolls.

However, what your friend and her daughter, along with many children, know is that once you get the dolls home (and manage to cut your way through the over-packaging), the dolls can be whoever you want them to be.

Whether they are Bratz, Barbies or Lollipop girls, they can explore Africa, drive taxis, be a game-show host, tackle global warming or become the character in a book the child read the previous night. Their adventures and personalities are only limited by imagination. This kind of play allows children to explore and experiment with many different personas, careers and lives.

Yes, the marketing does encourage the empty-headed fashion obsession but if kids have plenty of other healthy influences, the dolls are not a problem – the kids just roll their eyes about the ‘passion for fashion’ and set about making the props their new character will need for their next adventure

"Research shows a link between the premature sexualisation of our children and serious mental health problems like eating disorders and depression"

I'd like to see that research. If it does exist, I'm willing to change my mind on the idea that most exposure to children of sexual knowledge is largely harmless.

For a start, the research has to prove that it's the "premature sexualisation" itself that's the problem, rather than community attitudes and peer pressures that are leading to any mental health issues.

The research is from the American Psychological association and it is very disturbing indeed.

Toys may reflect cultural values but everything that is marketed also directs it. The availability of such dodgy products slowly convinces us that some things are "normal." Sexy children for example!
Bratz dolls are very strange indeed. Why sell miniature porn stars to children?

All I can say is, that it is time to somehow persuade toy manufacturers to create dolls that represent a wide range of roles ... along the lines that are mentioned in this article.
Nurses, farmers, teachers, mothers, doctors, train drivers and many more female roles need to be options for our young and not so young primary school girls ... I am weary of the 'tart' role model and so are many of my friends.