Is it "wrong" to let younger kids have BJDs?

At 10, I had been very mature, in even my parent's and other relative's opinions, so I probably would have been allowed to get a BJD then if I had known about them and shown interest in them. It usually depends on the child, and the age. If for example, a 5 year old wanted one, she would probably get a tiny because they are usually not as expensive as SDs or even MSDs. Also, considering some larger dolls are usually older looking, well, then, wouldn't you think about this-- that 5 year old would see the 'parts' of the doll. So, if a 10 year old kid wanted one and was able to save for one, then yes, let a 10 year old or 9 year old have one. At 8-9, I was mature enough and smart enough to save about $200 dollars in a short period of time to get my own laptop, and I did! But, it really depends on the person, because some children grow up in different environments: Some kids are mature enough to take care and save for dolls, some aren't. I know that some 10 year old kids I knew then would definitely NOT have been able to take care of a Bjd: It would most likely break the first day they got it, because some of them were the type of person the fooled around and threw things carelessly and were the EQUIVALENT of a 5 year old child.

Hope that helps, and explains my opinion as well as possible.

 

Like what most people here said, it depends on the maturity of the child and the age of the doll. I think a lot of people in the fandom were/are mature for their age, so we may have a skewed view of it .

 

I considered briefly getting my little cousin one for her twelfth birthday. That seemed like a good age. Granted, I don't think I'll be rich enough by then, but it would be nice X3

 

It probably does greatly depend on the maturity of the child.

I don't actually have any young doll enthusiasts in the family, but instead of just going out and buying one for them outright, I'd probably make them earn it. Give them money for doing odd jobs and see how much they really want it. If, by the end, they earn all that money and still want it, I'll help them purchase it. Heck, I'd probably throw in the extra money to get premium shipping if it's an option, but I'm sure most kids would realize it isn't worth it to them and go for something either less expensive or closer to home so they don't have to wait. That's sort of how I was as a kid. I didn't have any patience. And I went through a lot of phases. So, making me work for something was one way to ensure that money was put into something I'd actually use/play with.

 

I'll be honest, my biggest 'irk' about younger kids collecting has absolutely nothing to do with how mature the kid in question is or isn't. For me I feel the same way about is as I do when I see a nine year old walking through my work playing the newest $200 gaming system. It's the issue of spoiling children. I was a spoiled child and now that I'm older, while I feel very fortunate for growing up as I did, I understad the side effects it can have as well.

It also bothers me when younger teens whe are unable to get hired for a job explain that they are saving up by doing chores around the house or for getting high grades. Even when I was still in middle and high school myself this never made sense to me and it still doesn't. Helping one's parents clean the house or tend the garden and getting high grades is something I just can't view as being tasks that should be rewarded in monetary terms. For me, they are just things you simply do. So when a younger teen claims to save up through these means, I have a difficult time in grasping these methods as 'earning' it. Of course there are always exceptions to everything and I don't claim to dislike all younger collectors of the hobby and think they're all spoiled. To an extent I'm sure many of us consider buying these dolls as spoiling ourselves anyway.

 

Children who expect to be given whatever they want whenever they want it - because they are given whatever they want whenever they want it - are spoiled. Children who earn the occasional reward for doing something spectacular are just that much happier and more proud of their accomplishment.

"Virtue is its own reward" is a great concept, and may apply the majority of the time...but every parent knows that there's something to be said for positive reinforcement, too.

 

It really depends on the kid. I wouldn't give a child a BJD as their own mostly because the quality and value. And often times even if a child is told to be careful... sometimes they forget and damage the doll without actually meaning to.

Besides if they are too rough the doll might cause injury or the child might break it beyond repair.

 

I agree, it depends on the child. If the child has previously ruined toys, then why wouldn't they ruin this one? On the other hand, if the child has previously taken very good care of their items and showed affection towards them, they would also most likely do the same to this one.

It also depends on the age... If the child is 5-9, all toys are the same and aren't different than all the other toys they had in the past. But from ages 10-15, the child knows the difference between an expensive item and an inexpensive one.

I honestly don't believe it's 'wrong', but it is up to the parents to decide whether or not their children are capable of owning one.

 

It can be wrong, or it can be okay--like others have said, it depends on the child. My 12 year old sister really wants a BJD, and I know she can take care of one (meaning it won't be crushed to pieces or whatnot after a couple weeks) but I have a good feeling of where it'll end up after a month: on the shelf with her other forgotten plushies. Still, I can't blame her for being young to do something like that. Even some older people who use their hard-earned cash to buy a doll eventually find out that the hobby's just not for them.

 

So long as the child is mature and responsible enough (and doesn't get a doll fanicer than mine, lol) and there's an equally prepared adult to help take of the doll, sure.

 

i think it boldly depends on how responsible that child is, if they're really 'wild' then i would say no, but if that parent or whoever, is going to be buying, and that child is showing that they'll be taking care of that expensive doll then i would say why not(:

 

I think that it totally depends on the child. Like you said, some will be very careful with it and treat it well, others might be likely to break it or 'lose' it somewhere.

If the child is able to be responsible & respectful, then when not?

 

I agree with other I think the maturity of the individual child would be important, I also think it would be important for the child to understand the value of the doll.

 

I guess if you can afford to buy children these dolls its up to you.
My questions are dependant on how young. Do children really appreciate the intricacies of these dolls or would they appreciate a nice but cheaper doll just as much?
Are you buying for the child or yourself ie you want your child to own a 'designer doll' or do you want one and can justify it if you give it to a child.
I personally doubt a younger child eg 10 years old or younger would appreciate a BJD more than any other doll. In fact if you put restrictions on how they can play with it due to the danger of damage then I suspect they wouldn't.
I personally think the artists involved in designing these dolls do not do so with younger children in mind.

 

Well, I'm a preschool teacher, and I have to say that most kids stop eating random pieces of plastic by the time they're four. That said, I took my baby to work one day, and one little boy managed to spend most of the day with her and carefully took care of her and fiercely protected her. The care he treated her with was seriously at odds with the way he treated his legos, but then again, he also understood she was -different-.

He was two and a half.

I'm not saying this is typical, because it most certainly isn't. But if you can ensure your child is responsible enough, and you don't mind maybe having to replace hands or repair noses, and can afford it, then go for it. It overall is cheaper than a pet.

 

I have 13 years and I have 5 Pullips and I'm going to buy a Lati Yellow, in my personal opinion it depends by the child

 

I've already got it planned out for my future kids. I'm pretty sure my kids are going to see mine and want some too. I'm going to start them out on obitsu and see how they take care of them. then in the future they can look forward to a resin doll. I don't wanna see a doll abused by an immature kid. they'll have to earn it.

 

Depends on the family and child. Whether it is financial reasoning or maturity (In being able to take care of the doll AND not having to worry that the doll's "mature parts" will have an effect on the kid).

Some people may think that there child is mature enough to take care of the doll, and they have the money, but still not get the doll just because the doll may have "mature" parts. Silly, but true.

 

I wouldn't do it for two completely personal reasons. One, I've destroyed all my childhood dolls through "improvements" and I wouldn't trust any child of mine not to do the same (poor thing, it's screwed).

Two; people on this board bleat out all the time that these things are a luxury item. Sure, it's your money, do what you want but I'm sure as hell never giving a kid one of these dolls. When they're older, like late teens, and maybe can appreciate the dolls, I'd think about it. I'd like a child of mine to work for the things that they want, though, no matter how big or small. Having been a spoilt brat in my "younger" years, I know entitlement can come easily, so yeah. I'd just want to be sure that the action of giving such a gift would be appreciated.

 

I'm 14 and have been loving bjds since i was 12. I dont have one because i spent the first year saving and the second year waiting for the australian $$ go up.
After that i've just spent my time thinking over which one i really want because i have limited myself to one or two bjds until i'm an adult.
I get weekly pocket money of roughy $5-$10 and extra money if i baby sit my little cousins while our parents go and party (x
& i hoard my money like its the last dollar in the world. When i spend, i write it down |:

It really does depend on the person and partially their guardian.
I think that if the child wants a bjd, make them save for it so that they will value it & make sure the child is responsible too.