BJD's now because I wasn't allowed dolls as a kid?

Prefacing this with a statement: I'm really old. And belong to the Really Old BJD Lovers forum here.

I had one baby doll, that was a girl, she never was played with, she's in the back of my closet still in her original box. I had one Barbie, she is still in great condition, as I never played with her she lives on that same closet in a shoe box. I had no other dolls, because frankly my parents were frugal, and only girl dolls were available and I didn't like them. However, when I was around 8 I found a beat up old baby doll at a church bizarre that looked like a boy. I fell in love with him, and still have Joseph. Later in life I discovered Ken... but by that time dolls were not part of high school and college life.

Fast forward 50 years. I now have a collection of all male dolls, and I adore them and want more. I play with them everyday, and like to leave them around me when I'm doing other stuff, like computer, sewing, crafting, etc. My family thinks I'm nuts. My daughter never liked dolls, only stuffed animals, my son is a Lego and gamer kid. I'm truly the dark sheep, but I really love all of my little men.

 

I always towed the line between tomboy and girly girl. I hated porcelain dolls, and refused to play "mommy" with baby dolls, but played with Barbies until I was 14. I collected American Girl dolls, Ginny dolls...and they all had elaborate stories and characters and worlds. The dolls were more of a creative vehicle I think. I think bjds are just me allowing myself to play now and then...I've been through quite a bit and had to grow up pretty fast so I dunno. Maybe it's my inner child screaming for attention. ^_^

 

I was always big into dolls, all kinds of dolls, and I got them as long as they were cheapish. My barbie collection was at 16 when I decided I was "too old" for them. Thats not counting my three Kens, six Kelly and Tommys, the two disasters of mermaids and the headless guy, not to mention the ones that got destroyed or lost over the years. I don't even know how many baby dolls I had. I still have a bucket full of trolls and a mountain of stuffed animals. Also my american girl doll, I'll never get rid of her, took a good while to convince my parents to spend that much money on a doll ($100 XD).
Even with my history of doll loving it took some coercion from my friend to get my intrest in dolls to resurface. I'm not planning a big family and that may be because I remember how I would forget my older dolls after I got more and I don't want to do that to my dolls again. So maybe my history with dolls taught me something.

 

"until I saw BJD"

I would say That about sez it all. BJD have redefined dolls and attract people that may not normally be into dolls.

 

Mine is somewhat similar, I think. My story is a bit of a sad one, but with a happy ending.

As a child I actually had many dolls, mostly Barbies, but other kinds as well. Later in my childhood though, my father, who was... not a nice man... decided to throw away most of my toys. As a punishment for an imagined offense, and an extreme one at that. So it was a HUGE loss. It was like my very childhood was thrown into the trash.

Years later, as an adult, I've started to buy dolls again. It's been very empowering and wonderful. I have control of my life now, with him out of the picture, and I'm building a beautiful collection of toys and such that I love. Now that I've gotten into BJDs I feel even happier- my love of dolls is being pursued again and it's a wonderful feeling.

 

I was a born in 1970. I was a child of the 70's. I was in LOVE with dolls from the first time I laid eyes on one. Sadly I was a boy who loved dolls. Needless to say this was not considered a good combination back then or ever now depending on who is raising you. I would cry in stores for dolls that would never be mine. All boys in my family no sisters. I would hide and play Barbies with the neighborhood girls. I often got caught and would get beaten. Back then it was socially acceptable to still hit your child even in public. In school at play time in kindergarden I always wanted to play house because thats where the baby dolls were. Then my teacher informed my parents of my interests and the same punishment resulted. Nature versus Nurture? I learned that if I played with "girls toys" I got hit and yelled at or punished. Even at my young age I learned to fake it. I would pretend to like playing with the trucks and race cars forced on to me every christmas or birthday. While in college I was working at a goodwill. I found a #3 Barbie bald and chewed up. I took her home and cleaned her up. I felt comfort in doing so. I was now an adult living on my own and that love I had for dolls was still there. I collected Barbie for years, but I never liked the don't take her out of the box rule. When I was introduced to BJD's via Haute doll. I began to sell of most of my vintage collection to purchase BJD's. I however kept all of the dolls that I wanted as a young boy but was denied. I have them all now in a case I can look at every day. I LOVE DOLLS all kinds really. My partner is supportive of my hobby but ya know I am still weary if some one visiting ventures into my doll room. Deep down I am still afraid of being judged for what I love.

 

Thank you, That actually made me tear up a bit. It's a shame we still live in a world of stereotypes.

 

I think in some ways experiences from childhood really does affect your current hobbies now. I know for a time when I was a child, I was cut off from most toys, other than the video games my older sibling was able to get from time to time. With that said, this past year I found myself collecting toys and remembering how much joy I had from the activity as a child. Now I'm into BJDs and I remember sorely missing my dolls I had when as a child and learning they will all thrown away when I was at school. It's partially the consequence of those experiences and also how your interests have grown/changed as years go by, I feel. All in all, I'm glad I can enjoy this hobby now without too much restriction/judging going on (other than necessary bills :P ) .