Is BJD really just for adults? And adults, what do you think of kids who like them?

I was reading back at some of the comments on how these dolls are meant for special relationships and not meant for younger children.

I tend to think that it's not an age thing. Both my daughters have American girl dolls that they treat not much differently to how bjd owners treat their dolls. They have names, likes, dislikes, and are pampered like crazy. They treat them like babies/children of their own.

I think it's the barbie mentality that has people forgetting that children to can cherish dolls.

My daughters sleep with their AG dolls and I can say that the biggest punishment they feel is when they get that doll taken away for a period of time. My older one loves her erin but is a bit intimidated to sleep withher since she's so small.

Both my kids are particularly in love with my Yo sized dolls and refer to them by name. They also know what suits each doll clothes wise and sometimes even draws them pictures and I find dolly offerings sometimes near my dolls

It's important to let "children" enjoy luxury things so they strive for them when they grow up. The thing is you have to instill the value and specialness of something given that's out of the ordinary

 

You know, really I'd much rather children be learning to enjoy and treat dolls carefully at 6 years old than say, learning to shoot guns. There are some guidelines about being careful with the dolls that they should learn, but the consequences are much less serious if something goes wrong (and it's good to keep things in perspective that this is the case).

 

Seriously a concern - I've read that there is a huge social worry in the US because of the way the Boomers have coddled their late children, and the next generation follows their example. I work for a college system, and all the time we are getting calls from parents who are figuring out how to appy to college for their kids and how to register for courses for them, and who are mad when I tell them there is a Federal law that keeps me from giving them another person's login information. I am wondering, if this kid (now *adult*!) can't even apply to a college themselves, how are they going to get through classes?

Nana, don't worry about getting older, it gets better and better, the magazines and billboards lie. In your 20's you can go dancing and vote and get your own place (with all attendant responsibilities and bills, ugh). In your 30's you can stop worrying about who is wearing what nearly so much because you've settled who your personality is and what you want to do and you aren't being shoved around so much by a herd. I am not 40 yet but I think in my 40's I'll feel even more like I do now, that I am who I am and I'm going to become who I want to be, not who the billboards say I should be. It's so relaxing to realize no one owns you and no one but you can define who you are going to be (short of certain Federal laws, of course, LOL).

I totally agree with the comments in the thread about kids being able to appreciate the difference between wear-and-tear GI Joe's and something that is precious - if they are carefully instructed and coached in how to understand the differences. YMMV for certain values of hyperactive spoiled kids of course, but I like the idea of having even the youngest ones work to earn what they want, whether it's by a full job at 16 or by doing chores and extra things to help consistently at 6. The kid whose dad tosses off $1,000 without thinking about it is the kid who won't understand why their Taco Bell job doesn't pay the rent. Or why that bad landlord wants rent anyway. >.<;; And that carries over to a lot more than dolls.

BtA

 

Well, being 14 and ordering my fifth doll soon, I definitely can't say that I think these dolls are only for adults! I am more mature than your average 14 year old, but I have three close friends who maybe aren't quite as mature that also have dolls, and they are all in my age range. I have a bit of trouble grasping monetary value with most things, as I assume a lot of financially comfortable kids do, but it has never been that way with dolls.

 

I wish I was still 13. My parents woul've been more likely to fund more of my BJD hobby (addiction.) Now when I ask to borrow money, even just for a wig, they're like "Get a job, hippie!"

I know that at 13 I would've been offended if someone told me I was too young. My sister is a young'un, and she has a lot of friends who are certainly responsible enough. On the other hand, she also had a lot of friends that would tear a BJD limb from limb, or send it parachuting from a roof top.

So, It's very difficult to make generalizations. I myself got into the hobby around age 12 or 13. Though I wasn't nearly as hardore about it as I am now. XD I lurked around for a year or two before commiting enough to buy my first one. Now it's live by the BJD, die by the BJD... ^^

 

It amazes me that kids can afford these dolls and that parents are willing to pay for them. I grew up with very little so I cannot begin to understand what it's like to have whatever you want. It wasn't my parents fault and I don't blame them. That's just the way life is. Some get more handouts...some don't.

I feel weird around kids as I don't have a lot of experience with them. If they are mature in attitude though I am more than happy to chat with them. I felt very old for my age at 10 .

I will always stand by the belief that hobbies(bjd, anime, manga, video games etc) will always be safer than no hobbies. It's when kids are bored they go looking for trouble.

 

I started collecting at 15, and at 17 I own 5 full dolls and a few heads, with two or three dolls in the past having been sold. I don't believe BJDs are for adults, but they certainly are far, far better off in the hands of people who are responsible and mature when it comes to owning very expensive and delicate possesions.

 

I think it depends on the situation. We can't compare what we've been through, or say what we know other people have been through. I know plenty of young 'kids' that are very mature and would put as much love and care as 'adults'. If they can afford them, and they are responsible and kind in the BJD community go ahead! Why should they not enjoy the hobby they love so much?

I think that by holding onto a new generation of dolls is a wonderful thing. These days when 12 year olds have a Barbie they're looked down upon. With BJD's, it seems that a lot of kids find sanctuary in them and have more of 'collector/grown-up' mentality. Some of them just say 'to heck with it! BJD's BARBIE, I LOVE THEM ALL!' and I say good for them.

If they love it, they shouldn't be looked down upon or treated worse than adults just because they're younger.

 

Isnt it a bit immature for some adults to complain about the younger people on here? xD
I find that It doesnt matter cause We are all here for the same reason! Our love for the resinated joys that come into our lives.
And why should age make a difference? If we love it, then we love it.
Besides we get alot of interesting types of personatlities for thier dolls from all ages.
We all make the board fun.

 

I dont belive BJDs should be solely for adults. I myslef am 17 and I own one and plan on ordering another one this Christmas with my own money. I payed for my CP Cherry with the money I earnd doing odd jobs. For a while I printed shirts with original designs and made my money that way.
I lurked around for 2 years actually before buying my first BJD.
I also think it depends on the person's ability to take care of their things. My 4 year old sister often plays with Autumn but not without my supervision or before asking me. Which is more than I can say for my 18 yr old neighbor who has actually kidnapped Autumn and stuffed her in his backpack with her limbs jutting out at odd angles.

 

I'm happy to see a wide range of ages on here. It seems that more and more activities are becoming stratified by age. I remember sitting down as a ten year old and playing rummy with my parents and grandparents. It taught me a lot about living life. Now it seems that the only whole family activity is tv.

I'm 41, and sometimes feel like I'm a little old for this hobby. *shrugs* It's just a random feeling, and I ignore it. I like anime, too, even if people look at me funny.

 

I've wondered about the age thing for awhile.
I'm one of these horrible lurkers that never posts so I just assumed most the people here were much older then me. I'm 16, but I signed up...awhile ago @_@;;
I need to post more....

But it seems that the ages of members vary more so then I thought. Not surprising really...

 

I don't think anyone is ever too old for a hobby, as long as it makes them happy!

P.S.- Will you adopt me? Well, I'm 18, so can I at least live with you? xp My mom throroughly dislikes this hobby of mine. But that's a different topic!

Ok, here's my two cents.
I think there is definately an age that is too young for this hobby. I certainly wouldn't get a BJD for anyone under 12, unless they were amazingly mature for their age. I know I have a friend who is 13 here on the boards, and she is amazing with her dolls! I guess it really depends on the upbringing of the child.

 

Well, I'm kinda in the middle of the older group and the teens. But here is a thought. Most of the older end of the spectrum grew up with working for what ever they had. And the younger group has had more stuff given to them. I don't think that it's just age in it, but I know that a lot of the older generation feels that working for stuff you want is the way to go. That's how life is, you have to work for stuff. So I don't think any age is bad, but as long as the person has a sense of responsibility and works for what they want, then they should be welcomed. Not that getting one for a gift is bad either, but as long as they work for something in the hobby and don't ask for handouts.

 

eh..beauty appeals to all ages i'd say :3 so there isn't really an age limit in my opinion.. though appreciation and maintenance is another thing.. haha~

 

You're HOW OLD!?

I kid, I kid. I'm 15 and I'm getting my first Bory for Christmas. (He is here but mother, dearest, won't let me touch him, even look at him since he's my Christmas present.) I've spent every single bit of my allowance on stuff for him already! I think that mainly adults do it as many parents probably won't allow their "kids" to use their credit cards or paypal to spend 300$+ on a doll.

 

It seems 13 is the 'golden age' for BJD collectors - I, too, was 13 when I first got interested in ABJD. I was one of the youngin's on the Yahoo! DOA board. (I don't know if anyone remembers me from back then - I was the one that got a Dollfie Plus, named her Mari, and flipped out about her like she was a BJD!) Anyway, I'm 19 (almost 20) now.

Like pretty much everyone else has said, age really shouldn't be the way anything should be determined. My mom's favorite saying is "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional". You see, I know many people a lot older than I am (aunts and uncles) who act like kids in elementary and middle school with bickering and fighting and such - and one the other hand, I know a lot of little kids that have the maturity of someone in their 40's. It's all about maturity and responsibility.

So - no, BJD aren't just for adults. The price they carry may be, but, I know that there are a lot of younger people out there that, with the right amount of ambition, would be able to save their money up for a BJD and be happy about it.

Go younger folks and older folks alike! I think this hobby is wonderful for anyone that it brings happiness to.

La

 

Well...I technically count as an adult now but I don't think that the BJD hobby is JUST for adults but rather that adults(while having less disposable income than a teenager with a job) aren't buying all the crazy stupid stuff that kids are. As much ha ha. I mean...most kids on here that have dolls give up on other hobbies and buying stuff like cosmetics so that they can afford their dolls while adults(though they still do buy useless stuff...like...dolls! XD ...oh well, they're pretty!) just have more bills to pay and less ...stuff to buy to make them "fit in" maybe? I dunno, I am still but a newbie to the "adult" world ha ha.

 

I was first interested at twelve, saw my first doll in real life when I was fifteen, and then got Bellatrix on my sixteenth birthday. I don't think there's anything wrong with kids wanting a BJD as long as they know that they're things to take care of.

 

I'm 16 and I own 2 resins and a buttload of home-mades. XP

And still going! D:

Though I plan on stopping for a while once I get a DS Husky, seeing as he's the only doll I'm dying to get at the moment.


I get upset when I see adults buying as many dolls as they want. XD
I could really use some money. I think that's the downside of being a kid. XP