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

Maybe it's that people that are younger just don't have the money for them, and can't get a job...

like me.. I'm olny 13.

 

Yeah that too...I don't mean all young people your age are that way. That's not what I meant and I offended you in any way sorry...I'm just saying a lot of them are that way. They don't care how much something is because it's not their money that they are spending stuff on...so if something happens to it oh well they will just get another one from mommy or daddy because they get them stuff all the time.

 

BJDs are for those who can afford them. It doesn't matter how old a person is, or whether they 'deserve' them or not. If parents can afford to (and want to) buy a BJD for their child, they can. If a child gets enough allowance that they can spend a great chunk of it on dolls, then what business is it of anyone else? These are material possessions we're talking about, not babies.

 

Um you can't buy babies anyways...well you can but that's illegal and what not unless you adobt...but I can't see a young child doing that. It would never happen you can only adopt if you are 25 anyways...
I understand that anybody with money can have them. And truthfully I don't care who spends their money on them I was stating that it would be a waste to get one for somebody who won't really take care of it. If you had the money would you spend it on a doll and gave it to a young person who you knew would break it...I wouldn't. The doll would be for me.

 

...I was obviously not being literal.

And yes it would be a waste to buy it for someone who would break it. However, firstly, you personally are not the one who has to buy it. Like I said, if a parent wants to spend their money (wasted or not) on their child, they can. Secondly, I would say that most twelve and thirteen years olds would not go out of their way to break their own possessions. There are very few people I know who would break their own things for the sake of it.

 

will...I think as long as they can afford it, it shouldn't be a problem....

 

lol I just got into it at 21(a few months ago) and when you asked how many 'kids' are into this hobby I thought of myself as a kid at first then realized, I'm tecnically an adult. :0 lol I'm a kid at heart.

 

I'm 15, and I have a BJD. I think the main issue with teenagers/people my age (same thing, I know, but "teenagers" is such a stereotypical word and also leaves me with a desire to sing "s*** the living scares out of meeee...") is money and crazes. I had known about BJD for a long time before I bought one and because I didn't have a job and was saving up with pocket-money and ebay-selling money, it took me a long time to buy my boy. I guess some people might be put off by this? But if you can afford it, that's wonderful - if it takes you a long time to save up and you have to forfeit other things, I also guess it gives you a sense of pride when you look at your doll - "I saved so hard for him, and now here he is~~ Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!". (On the other hand, I'm NOT saying that if you are better off and can afford a doll easily, you're any less devoted. I'm just talking about say, what I interperet my own experiences as).

Fads I've heard mentioned, but for me, the sheer amount of time I spend researching *anything* before I buy a related product sort of cancels that out (Even band t-shirts, I dread the say I go out in a shirt and somebody comes up to me and says something related to that band I don't understand - obsessive compulsive nerd-much?). I think the same goes for a lot of people as BJD is clearly a thing you need to do a lot of research into. And then, seeing as a lot of people get into it through a love of all things Japanese, even if their interest faded a little I'm sure they could get a lot of joy from taking their doll to anime conventions and doing photoshoots for their teen years. Then, if the interest did fade, they could sell the doll to somebody who wanted to buy second-hand to fund university or something similar. Then the doll gets a loving home and the person gets their money, perpahs minus a little for the years of ware and tear ~ or plus a little for a no-longer available sculpt.

As the adults.... your minds are funny, how am I meant to pass any comment on something so totally alien...

 

I don't see BJD as an adult hobby. Yes, you do have to have a certain level of maturity and responsibility in order to care for one properly, but it's not strictly for adults.

I myself am fifteen and have three dolls right now. xD Two of which who are sitting by my side.

I think it's depends on mental maturity, not physical. If that makes any sense. :3

 

I understand that Lami...and they won't necessarily go and break it just because they can. I just don't think that a younger person would be as careful with it like an older person would because they just don't understand the value of money and that it just doesn't grow on trees. I know plenty of kids, people that are even my age, who are slightly reckless with their possesions regardless whether they know it or not. And I know that I won't be the one paying for the doll, but I'm looking at in a perspective where if I was. I wouldn't get a younger person one unless I was absolutely sure. I even asked my mother who is 50 if she would get one for younger person and she immediately said no without much of a debate. So if a lot of parents think like she does which I'm sure they do if they come from a middle class family where there money goes to the household and not one soul thing unless they could absolutely afford. I don't think they would get it for their children either because it would just be a waste to even take that risk of them ruining it, when they could spend it on something for everybody. Or something that was needed.
But like I siad before it all depends on the person. There are some that are totally responsible who totally deserve one, and then there are some that don't and they don't care because they have been spoiled their entires lives and don't really care whos money they are blowing because they have never been said no to when they really should be.
Kaichii you said it perfectly. I just didn't think of putting it that way.

 

Well...I'm actually a bit conflicted about this issue. I started into this hobby as a 20-something adult. I do know that, as a teenager, I would have been a responsible, mature member of the BJD community, (though neither I nor my parents could have afforded one when I was that age). And I have also met some very mature, wonderful, awesome younger BJD owners who have made age irrelevant in the face of shared interest and who make me glad I belong to a hobby that embraces all ages.

But...and this is an unfortunate 'but'... I have also been to meets with younger BJD owners who behaved immaturely and, being an adult, it was more than a little frustrating. As a teacher, I like my leisure time to be spent with mature people and on those rare occasions when I've been with young BJD owners who did act their age, (and NOT in a good way) I did not enjoy myself.

So...yeah...conflicted...

 

I just don't think it matters whether someone 'deserves' a BJD or not or whether they're responsible. BJDs are not awards for being good people. Like I said, if someone has the money, they can have one. If they break it, so be it. You've said that you wouldn't buy the doll, but here's the thing: you don't have to. Other people are perfectly entitled to make a different choice to you in this regard.

And maybe I have a different idea of middle class to you, as we come from different countries, but I know that most families I know have that kind of money to spend and then some. iPods, phones, cameras, school holidays - all expensive, and parents pay for them knowing that they might not be appreciated enough. That's their lookout, not anyone else's.

 

I'm 16 and I saved up for my first doll wonderfully, but I've noticed my friends that want BJD arent good with money. They swear they're going to save and then go spend a ton of money on something else. Or if they spend money on other people, they blame their lack of skill on the person "you better appreciate it, i was going to buy my doll with that money!", and then when they've spent a good $200, they get miserable and expect someone to just plop the hound into their hands FOR them.

I'm not ageist at all, and I hate when people judge anyone just based on their age, whether they're 4 or 14 or 40, saying things like "she can't make decisions for herself, she's only 14!". Well of course 14yos can make decisions!! Of course 14yos can take care of themselves! Of course we can save up for our dolls, have good relationships, get jobs, make good grades!... but a few bad 14yos have to ruin it for all of the teenagers, and make all of us look bad.

 

At large I agree with you, but most 14yrolds can't take care of themselves. Most 14yrolds are still kids, not because of their age but because the norms of this society dictates that 14yrolds are to be children and thus children are raised in such a way that most are still incapable of caring for themselves at 14. Another problem with teenagers and descisions is the fact that parts of the brain which handle logics aren't fully grown, this makes it easier for teenagers to be overwhelmed by emotions and throw caution to the wind. However I do believe that 14yrolds are capable to have an interest in dolls, I also believe that most are capable of caring for a doll, and that quite a few have the determination needed to save up the money.

 

Honestly, I am not that old myself (20), but I was raised by grandparents (not that it makes too much of a difference, except the fact that I'd rather sit in a retirement home speaking with the elderly than at some hang-out talking to people my age (who hate me anyway)).

However, I do believe that most younger people are not responsible enough, nor mature enough for many things.

Sometimes, that includes dolls.

After all, have you looked at teens, tweens, and kids today? I'm surprised the world hasn't blown up yet. (Okay, that WAS a bit harsh... But some days, you must admit, it's the truth.)

BJDs aren't just barbie dolls you can buy, play with for a few days and then toss into a bin to be put in storage for 10 years before selling them 2 for $1 at the community garage sale. You can't just buy one to buy one and tell everyone 'Look what I have, I have money, I'm rich. Mommy and Daddy got it for me, isn't it cool!?'.

The bottom line is, most children are not mature/responsible enough to own these dolls, in my opinion.

Sure, if you have your own job, and work hard, and save up your money to buy the doll yourself, that is one thing.

But begging your parents to buy you one just because, or simply abandoning the doll after a week, or getting one just because your friend has one and you want to be better than them, etc...

That's another thing. And don't get me started on dating, going places unattended, etc.

I always come out sounding mean ><

 

I don't mind collectors no matter what the age really as long as they are mature and responsible. I've been on other collection forums and the young teen members are often very irresponsable about their decisions, reasons for buying and also immature in their communication. Not all kids are like this, but the ones who are can be very irritating.

The only ones that really bother me are the kids and teens who type out about how they're trying to force mummy and daddy to buy the doll/s for them or they are gloating because mum and dad DID buy it for them so 'omg now I have a doll too, how kewl is that!'. Or they whinge because 'omg I showed mummy the doll I want and she doesn't like it and said no. Now I'll never get one Dx I dunno what to dooooo'

It really rubs me the wrong way when kids behave like that, in any fandom, not just bjd's.

 

I haven't really met any other doll peeps, but have met people of various ages and levels of maturity on DoA, and I do think age is pretty much irrelevant.

My eldest son is just 4, yes four years old, yet he handles my new (and first) doll with so much care it is unreal, he is more delicate than even I am , knows to wash his hands first, and not touch the face up etc. (he only really cuddles anyway )

He asked me if he could maybe have one of his own for Christmas, and to be perfectly honest I am really thinking about agreeing... he is *extremely* young, in fact some of the dolls are nearly the same height as him .... he really likes the bobobie tinies, which is fine by me as they are a nice price/size for a child

But then I would think there are people out there, whether they be teens, adults, OAPs... whatever, that would maybe treat their dolls worse than my son will, sad but very true

Each case to its own merit in my opinion.

 

They did it with those nano-pets, and Furbies...

I didn't really literally mean 'OMG ISN'T IT SO COOL!?' I meant in a way that was...argh, I can't really explain in words...

 

I've experienced the "You're HOW old?" thing all my life. I've always either been mistaken for younger than my age (as a child, I was very very small) or older than my age (I guess people think I'm mature?) and so I've gotten to the point where, especially online but in real life too...age just isn't an issue to me. I can't guess people's ages worth a penny, so I go by maturity instead. I guess lots of younger people aren't "old" enough to own a doll maturely...but then, lots of older people aren't mature enough either. It isn't a question of age, really, but rather how you'll treat your doll and whether you're genuinely interested or just want to be part of the crowd.