Are dolls childish?

I really don't think there is an age limit of anything in all honesty, but when it comes to BJDs, they are far from "Childish"

They are not within the proper age group for any child. They are expensive, they are high maintenance, and they are far too fragile to have a in a five-year-old's constant grasps. Also they have spare parts that a child could easily choke on.
I am more than aware that many parents with dolls will allow their child to play with their dollies (a close friend of mine often lets her 4-year-old play with her lot under supervision). But I doubt many would go out and buy their toddle a volks.
BJDs were made for adults. Just because they are 'dolls' does not mean they are children's toys.

 

I do not think BJD are childish at all. Sure there are people who do think so, but if they care about you they will care about your reasons to have this hobby.

A fact BJD are not suitable for too young children. The person who handle them has to know how to do it. Otherwise it could be dangerous.

The common idea many times is "dolls = toys" and BJD are dolls therefore it is not strange people who do not know this hobby think about them as expensive toys. I think that is the main trouble about people misunderstanding it.

It is easier understood, besides by their prices and by the caring they need, when it is said they are for collectors and/or an art expression. For me they are also a more adult way of playing developing characters and stories I love to dream about.

 

"Are dolls childish?" I would have to say no,especially BJDs. To me - considering the cost & customization that go into them - they are more a form of art than anything. In fact, a lot of "toys" are becoming more about art & creativity these days. I also collect vinyl toys (Dunny, etc) and although they look like toys, its much more about the artists and customization behind them. I guess I can see where people who know nothing of BJDs or OOAK dolls can find collecting them "childish", but I think once they get a better understanding, their opinion can change.

 

I think the first impression of my friends irl was to think "oh, wait, what, you want to pay 700-800 dollars for a DOLL?" , since I'm sure they tended to think about childrens baby dolls or Barbie. But, even because most of them know gashapons or action figures (most of my friends are star wars / comics fans) , and because I always show the quantity of details and how delicated the dolls are, they end up understanding and even cheering me up to stay in the hobby. =) My mom thinks it's something expensive and hard to achieve, but she absolutely love the art (yes, she also see it as art! ^^). I think it's just a matter of time to this hobbie grow up and more people understand that is something very detailed and fragile, which only an mature adolescent/ adult would have the complete understanding and zeal.

 

My parents, grandparents and even neighbours think BJD's are childish. They came to that conclusion after one of my friends took her beautiful Dollzone doll to my place and showed it to everyone.

I had high chances on actually buying a doll (since I've actually already picked him and even sorted out some clothes for him), but they're completely dwindled now. No matter what I say, my mom is convinced 'dolls are for babies'.
It's a real frustration, because I have enough (self-earned) money in my bank account to buy him. :c

 

I feel that it is the type of doll that shows if it is childish or not. Plus, my grandmother collects dolls so I don't have to worry about it at all!

 

Maybe I look younger than my age, I never had this problem (okay, I know, I begin in the bjd last month, ha ha ha)...

 

I have been around dolls my entire life. I have always loved them and still do to this day. My mother complains a bit about my room looking like a little girls (a lot of Hello Kitty plushies). I can say she is a tad worried about what my future will be like but I am truly and fully content on what I have now. After all, I AM becoming a Lolita.
Anywho, some part of me thinks its childish and another part of me doesn't. And another part of me thinks maybe it has something to do with my childhood and not being able to have as much toys as I wanted. I dunno. I have mixed feelings about this topic ^_^ but I won't change my love for these dolls for the world. I have already faced much criticism already but I am determined and ready to face the world.

 

I don't really get the "Childish" commentary on my dolls. However when I introduce my dolls to people I usually explain about how they're customizalbe and what I enjoy doing with them - photography, sewing and crafts for them. People think I'm insane for the cost but I just remind them what their equivalent vice is XD (My neighbour and his shiny new Harley Davidson Motorbike lol).

Collecting dolls isn't a childish thing to me, lot of people have collections. Writing and other creative endeavours like photography that we do with or related to the dolls is not childish either. However, walking around doing your groceries or through the mall etc with a doll would be childish. We're adults and don't need to bring our 'toys' everywhere with us.

People are still going to do what they want to do though.

 

To this question I have only one answer, a citation from our famous German author, Erich Kästner:

"Only who grows up and stays a child, is a human."

(dt.: "Nur wer erwachsen wird und ein Kind bleibt, ist ein Mensch.")

This is something I believe in very strongly and have followed it my whole adult life throught. Until now, I am happy and have a happy family.

So I think dolls can be something very adult - they can bring out the really good sides in us.

 

My mother always says: You're as childish as you think you are..!

Even my mom is sometimes a bit silly (in her fifty's now)

And I'm 18 and the older I get the more dolls I buy ^^
I started with Living dead dolls when I was about 14 and I got my first BJD almost 2 years ago and recently I bought another BJD AND Living dead doll xD and allready I'm saving up for ANOTHER BJD xD
And this one I'm going to take to school because she can fit in my pocket (25cm) so how childish is that!! xD

Like my dear mom always says when she is acting silly or childish: You're as Childish as you feel and think you are! so if you think you're childish when you play with dolls: then don't do it and keep on displaying them ^^ your choice..
But when you DO feel like to make up a story behind them and play with them then do that!
You must always remember: Your own opinion is the one that counts.. not how other people call you.. you being happy about yourself is all you need ^^

(god I'm in a philosofic mood today >< but I hope you understand my opinion/point and find is usefull ^^)

 

I don't think so. That would be like sayingcollecting model trains, or cars, or porcelain dolls, or almost anything is childish. It's a matter of preference, everyone likes something different and I don't think that makes them or the dolls childish.

 

Nah, I dont think so. If you act like an adult when matters (when you have problems and need solutions), so who cares if you play with dolls (bjd's or not) or even any another kind of toy?
Also, when anyone say to me that dolls are childish, expansive, or even silly, I always says : 'Yes, I should spend that money and act like another 18 girls...partys, datting with strangers, drinking, buying clothes and shoes, even the ones that I may never use and being selfish'. Then, normaly, they shut up and let me play with my 'doll'. XD

 

I don't think it's childish. It's just a hobby. Just like some people like listening to music while others enjoy doing sports.

 

Depends really. I personally think that most of these things can go to any age.

Then again, people can say that the things I like are childish so I couldn't talk. ((I do custom figures/collect anime figures and really into anime/manga and cute things; some might consider childish...?))

 

I don't get told I'm too old to play with them. Not that I really "play" with them. I'm 27, married, and I have 2 (non resin) Children. My side of family just thinks they are a waste of money and that its stupid that I have them, since I'm not a girl, and collecting dolls is a girl hobby. My wife's family doesn't know what to think. They just kinda leave us and our dolls alone.

 

I've never really thought of dolls as childish in the sense that they are only for children, but even if I did I'd still collect them if it's what I wanted.

You see, when I was in school I stopped doing and collecting a lot of things that everyone else considered childish. If other people my age thought that those things were childish, then of course they must be right. That's what I started to think, at least.

Well, close to the end of my senior year, my mom found a box of my old stuff packed in our building and brought it in for me. I spent hours going through everything and thinking back on how happy these "childish" things had made me. Then I realized something: they still made me happy. After that, I didn't care anymore what others thought. I did what I wanted, childish or not, as long as it made me happy.

...And I think I rambled a bit, but hopefully you get the idea.

 

My mom say that too. But I remember reading a bjd collector's answer somewhere that make me laugh and feel encourage, he/she said "No child can afford them anyway". True enough ^^
And I would marry a guy who can accept all my babies as part of me.

 

good for you! Don't worry about the rambling you are speaking of something that makes you (and everyone on this forum) happy!

 

BJDs are not childish at all. They are a collector's item, cost hundreds of dollars, and aren't all that kid-friendly (most of my collection consists of horns and hooves and pointy parts haha). People immediately jump to the conclusion that dolls are childish without really thinking about it.