Toys going too far?.....

I was pottering away on the computer the other day, had a look at facebook where someone I knew I had written about their disgust of a new toy.  At this stage I should tell you about the toy so that you are aware from the start.  There is a new doll on the market which comes with a breastfeeding bra to enable the child to put on the bra and feed her doll.  Think about this before you read on....

On the face of it, the toy could be seen as just that, a toy. I feel, however, maybe it goes a tad too far but not for the same reasons as others.  My friend was worried that this is why we have a problem with teenage pregnancies.  I disagree. I  cannot see that a doll could increase or decrease teenage pregnancies.  Many children try to mimic their mothers while she feeds siblings does this mean we are all to blame?  What I fear is that giving the child an actual feeding bra has taken the concept too far.  Children are happy with fake bottles and the make believe that that conjures up for them.  They do not need to know or re-enact anything more than that.

The issue of teenage pregnancies is a complex one.  I really disagree that dolls can affect this as I said above.  What I fear is that people/parents are passing the blame too much.  As a parent it is your responsibility along with schools, (and I mean along with) to educate your child.  Learning things from an early age with take away the mystical world of intimate relationships making the child less likely to start too early.  If your child does fall pregnant as a teen you need to deal with it. It should not be seen as failure on anybody's part.  You as the parent are there to support and educate your child through whatever life throws at them.  Don't judge them and don't try and find reason to blame someone. 

Back to toys in general, there are many toys on the market that 'go too far' but our children have grown up faster than we did.  Who would have known that children as young as 5 would use computers?! We need to move forward with the next generation.  We also need to make sure that our children get to be children even if that is with a computer or games consoles.  Different generations, different attitudes.  Just don't let yourself get carried away with advertising.  If you do not like the look of a toy, don't buy it.  Simple.