Girls view on guys who own BJDs

I think it's a good thing to have diversity in any hobby, from my standpoint it's more fun to have all different people to chat with on the forums or to get to know at doll meets, and to get to see all different styles of dolls. To me BJDs are cute or beautiful, like 3D works of art that can pose and wear different outfits, so I would think that there are men who collect them for similar reasons - and that is perfectly fine with me! It is less common to have men in a doll hobby, for societal conformity reasons I believe due to expectations that men be "tough, rugged, etc." but I think it's a niche hobby as an adult anyways, at least I don't know any people other than those I've met at BJD meets that are into dolls. As an anime and fantasy fan myself it seems quite natural as I think it's similar to comic book or anime character figurine collecting.

 

I think it's a great thing ^^ I'd really like to see more guys in the hobby; it shows how they don't care about what others think and pursue what makes them happy. =^_^=

 

I feel the same way. If it's creepy, then the size or gender of the individual shouldn't change how creepy it is. :/

 

To be honest, the bit that makes it creepy is the word 'daughter' in there. Sexualising one's daughter, even if the 'daughter' is really a doll, is going to evoke the squick factor in a lot of people. Take that out and meh. It's no more inherently disturbing than women dressing male bjds in an oversexualised way and fantasizing. One might not find it -appealing-, but then... I don't find a lot of peoples choices appealing. And I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't like mine! I do understand that particular combinations of individual and choices may bother people. The squick factor does exist. But I also think that factor should be challenged. It is not a good basis for judgement of any kind, and if someone stops reacting and starts analysing what exactly is bothering them, why and the reasonableness/rationality of it, then I believe many prejudices and initial 'yuk' reactions disintegrate.

To get a bit back on topic - if someone reacts negatively to guys who own bjds, I hope they do get challenged. It's an absurb thing for someone to have any objection to.

 

It is quite disturbing to be on the other end of it. I posted a pic of me with my dolls here once - and found it on another bjd site, where it was "Yuk, what's with the creepy old man and dolls?" or some such similar comment.

 

On the topic about what I'd feel when I learn a guy is in the hobby, It really depends.

My brother owns a BJD as well but is shunned by most of society stating that it\s "gay" to own a doll because it;s a girl's thing.

I often pity my brother because I get to enjoy my BJDs but he's always getting negative feedback which in it's entirety caused him to hide his dolls. I currently take care of them (mostly tinies because he likes how convenient they are and fun )

It's usually our aunts and uncles who ridicule him and ask him if he's gay because he plays with dolls. Mind you, he also collects weapons and I am confident that when Zombie Apocalypse happens , we are well stocked and prepared with weapons.

So eventually I think society isnt ready to accept that fact that dolls can be played by boys too. especially BJDs. As for people in the hobby, I think they are more accepting and nicer. I have seen a lot of guys in the hobby and they are totally awesome! If only societ is much more accepting then that would be better.

As for my own opinion, I find it amazing that guys are in the hobby. sometimes they need a lot of confidence and I respect that they do.

 

It's interesting reading all these replies. I said earlier it's the same to me, man or woman.

I'm really surprised at the variety of answers. It's very different then my experiences with our bjd group. Plus in the real world , I never get anything but compliments wearing my Star Wars shirts. Teenagers don't act like I'm creepy hanging at anime conventions, even though I am old enough that I have a 17 year old. So if I get good reception in things that aren't traditionally for middle aged women, lol, I don't see why a man would get a bad reaction from others in the bjd world.

 

I think that men/boys in the hobby is great. I love the diversity. The different genders in the hobby opens up different perspective.

 

Interestingly enough, men generally seem to be more accepted as sculptors, designers (anything "important", or jobs which are considered "masculine"), but as mere owners they're having a hard stance. Similarly, and not very surprisingly, looking young, attractive and well-trained (and Asian?) will heighten the level of acceptance. As an overall trend in a patriarchal society, this will influence the way men are perceived within the hobby as well. Hopefully we're just in the middle of a process where these crusted role models are breaking up. Go on you guys in the hobby, I think you're great!

 

In my local doll community I've met a few guys who are in the hobby. All of which were nice and didn't sexualize their dolls as some might claim would. They actually seem to prefer the classical style for their girls. Of course this is from my experience and I can't say that all guys in the hobby are like that, but I don't mind guys owning dolls and dressing them in cute outfits.

 

I think it's cool, if that what makes that guy happen then I say go for it. They have good fashion thoughts for their dolls better that most ladies.

 

An earlier remark said that "Let's face it, it's not 'normal' for a guy to own a doll... they're probably gay or effeminate," or something along those lines. First, many guys who are effeminate can be straight, if that constitutes as normal, and I don't think gay is very abnormal, personally. I wish there were more guys in the hobby- so far in my life the only guy I can talk to about my hobby is my boyfriend, and as he isn't in the hobby (yet) I would like to have a guy friend in the future to whom I can gush about dolls.

 

It would be nice to see more guys in the hobby. Some guys who are in so called "girly" hobbies be real good at it, like for example famous hair stylist. He started out playing with dolls hair and he grew up doing hair well. So what makes having a doll hobby any different. It doesn't mean your gay or anything it's a hobby that is for male or female. I would be happy if I had a guy friend who is into dolls. He can help me find better clothes.

 

I think that it would be cool to meet a guy that is completely head over heels for BJDs. I'm just getting into the hobby so I haven't gotten to meet many people who actually know what BJDs are, so it would be to meet a guy like that.

 

I think we need more guys in the hobby. They can bring in fresh ideas and views that we just don't have as women.

 

When the negative feedback happens, it's usually someone who doesn't understand all of the purposes bjds can serve and when they think/see people with dolls, they see barbies and pink and little girls and they don't get out of that mindset. And I don't think it should be considered weird for males to have bjds. People don't think it's weird to build models or take pictures of a flower and bjds can be used for a lot of creative ideas that shouldn't be limited to just females.

 

I think it's okay for guys to have dolls, too. I think that's quite a cute sight! It would be very good to have a mixed community, after all.

 

I'm cool with guys having dolls so long as they don't make it creepy. I've met perfectly normal male doll owners before and I've met less normal doll owners. They have every right to own dolls as much as they like and do what they want with them. It's their money after all.

 

I don't mind guys having doll at all, go for it and do what you want since girls do the same. If someone's creepy it can exist in both sides- I've seen some girls do some sexually disturbing things with dolls too so...

What I mostly wonder is just that what kind of guys care about dolls? are they feminine? Are they gay? Nerds like who are into classic fantasy stuff? Otakus? Those are the questions that pop up to my head when I see a boy/man with a doll.