Are dolls childish?

@HiroKenzan I couldn't agree more

 

It's your life, do what you want. I am 25 and do not think having collectibles like figures or bjd's are childish. I love them!

 

These dolls are not children's playthings. Period. They are toys the way a Masarati is a toy LOL Or a better analogy, are all those model train buffs somehow childish & playing with toys? Try that on with one of THOSE guys LOL LOL LOL

 

Sometimes I feel that other people will think me childish for collecting them and making things for them, and then I remember I never leave the guys without pants if there's any chance my parents will see them! And like others have said, they are really more art objects for adults than toys.

 

Well. For bjd lover it was a hobby and it is not childish. For non bjd lover, well...they feel we are insane and spend so much money and effort to play on such doll. And feel childish. I don’t care what they said. I just do what I like only.

 

I don't feel its childish at all. I feel those who call this hobby childish probably call a lot of fun things people like to do childish. If life were all seriousness with no hobbies or activities because they were considered 'childish', no fun and just work work work, it wouldn't be too happy a life Don't worry what others outside the bjd hobby think. Enjoy this hobby and have fun in it for you, it isn't hurting them in any way.

 

I don't think it's childish at all. Dolls are beautiful, and to me, they are a work of art. I think people should approach hobbies with an open mind in order to understand the passion others have behind it. It's quite disrespectful when those outside of the hobby try to push and force their negative opinions down onto hobbyists like ourselves. No one deserves to feel awful about something they love.

 

To me, being childish implies negative connotations such as immaturity and a certain undeveloped naïveté or an unbecoming fussiness. I understand how people could see this hobby as odd but for us playful and creative souls who grew up with toys and dolls and used them to help kindle our imagination, it only makes sense really. They are beautiful art objects as well... definitely not appropriate for small children.

Before I got into BJD, I was and am a vintage collector for Japanese kaiju, vintage squeak lamb toys from Rubber Sun Co, anime figurines, hand painted vinyl toys by modern artists, and all kinds of other fun collectibles. They're all seen as "toys" but they are primarily collected and enjoyed by adults. My partner has her own collection of stuff too (DBZ, kaiju, Alien, Astro Boy, Power Rangers, Ultraman, etc)!

There is a big difference between experiencing childLIKE joy over something (which is truly such a wonderful feeling - I feel sorry for those who cannot at all) and being childish. Biiiiggg difference. Life is so short so why not enjoy it in any way that you can (as long as it isn't harmful).

 

There are certainly "childish" or emotionally immature features of the ways people can act in the hobby (bullying and gossip), but the dolls themselves? Nah. I agree with everyone pointing out the similarities between BJDs and more socially acceptable hobbies, people need stimulating projects and skills to work on in downtime. For my grandfather it was model trains, my dad fixes cars, my boyfriend reads about Roman history, my brothers play video games and basketball, I have a friend who sews her own lolita dresses.... there's something out there for everyone!

 

I collect several types of dolls. People always ask, "do you play with them?! Do you decorate with them?!" I usually tell them, "they're not all over my house; I have a display area and I rotate who is in and out, and the rest I keep in storage." Because otherwise people seem to get the picture that I'm a crazy Otaku with dolls lining the walls.

... Which, honestly, wouldn't be terrible. I just get frustrated that people make assumptions and jump to conclusions.

 

I use these dolls as a creative outlet, really. I make them into characters, design their outfits, dress them up etc. And if that's something childish, then honestly, there's really nothing wrong with that.

 

If it makes you happy who cares what other people think? That's my motto.

 

Nohow. I don`t react to such phrases. I think that a stupid stereotype from the past. Huge number of dolls are especially for collectors, not for games. And bjd are one of those. Yes, you can "play" with them. Photosets, sewing new clothes, writing stories about dolls — may be we can name these "games". But it`s for especially for adult people. Children`s games are different.

 

I guess we all have a different definition of “childish”, but I don’t think most children(kids under 12) are able to afford a $500 doll with money they made themselves.
You paid for it, you took care of it, you are also living your life just fine, that means you are responsible enough to be an adult right?

 

id like to say yes, but a lot of the people ive seen on here seem like very mature people.

however i have the mental age of a 5 year old and i find dolls childish personally. but honestly is childishness inherently a bad thing? maybe my opinion also stems from the fact that ive always been into dolls since childhood. i play with my dolls more than i do things like photography and painting. i think theyre basically just adult toys (not that kind) while also being customizable pieces of art.

 

I don't think dolls are that childish, specially not BJDs. They are more a piece of art than a doll, and for all of us our dolls have some kind of personality and soul.

There are some childish aspects in this hobbie, but that doesn't make it any worse or any less "adult" than another hobbie. And in fact, feeding the child inside everyone of us is never bad.

 

People will always think dolls are childish due to children owning Barbies, but a collector's item is a collector's item. Someone will always have something to say about a hobby one will have and I don't think that should stop anybody. Overall, a lot of people will say owning dolls are childish, but that doesn't matter in the end because you're happy owning them.

 

I don't think any hobby is childish and collecting BJD is a hobby don't matter if they just sit on a shelf or if you play with them
funny think is as a child I didn't play with dolls at all, then in my 30's started to take an interest in my mum collection, now at 56 I have 9 BJDs and thoroughly enjoy them

 

I don't think so.Actually, I think he opposite - old granmas more often collect dolls Oneof my firend inherited a collection of small dolls from her English teacher, who had like 100 of tiny dolls in different style of clothing from different nations.

I also collect plushies, which are more childish, but the whole idea of collecting something is not childish I think? I'm in a facebook group where are mostly adult men, collecting superhero figures.

 

Eh, I suppose it really depends on how you look at it. I don't think so though. For me I see them as art and an outlet for more artistic expression and people enjoy collecting for many different reasons. It's like those people who collect those little souvenir spoons or plates. Or anything, really. Collecting is collecting, and customization is art.

Also it's pretty healthy to embrace your inner child and find joy in childish things. It's a key component in being a balanced and healthy adult. Otherwise you get sad and it starts coming out in weird ways that aren't always healthy in my opinion.