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

I would think that it depends on if the kid is generally "mature" enough to have one. If the kid is a rough-and-tumbling type whose most definitely going to somehow end up breaking the doll, then maybe they should wait a bit. I think it's the time when they actually understand how to "treat" such an expensive thing, ie not throwing whipping it across the room, or letting the dog chew it up, or something like that.

I'm 15 myself and I've got a BJD, I think it's just a matter on if you read up on it or are knowledgeable enough about these to have one.

But it's also in personal preference, right? If the kid wants one and the parents are willing - even if the kid may not be the best suitor - it's the parent's money that's gone~

 

While they aren't a child's toy, it's ultimately up to the parent to decide. I would not buy one for my hypothetical child, but if other adults want to, it's their money. I feel that it would be a waste of money personally to give a young child a BJD - in general I don't think they can fully appreciate them (on the scale that adult collectors do), and would probably get just as much enjoyment from a doll made specifically for children.
I think the most important part would be that the parent be properly informed (through their own research) of the risks that BJDs pose to adults, let alone children. Pinched fingers, breakable parts, all that jazz. I'd hate to hear about an over-zealous parent attempting to sue a doll company because it pinched their child's skin causing stitches or something.

 

I think it'd be silly to give a young kid a BJD. Kid's are easily pleased, so it's just not necessary. Something cheaper but also nice and somewhat customizable seems like a better option. Better to start with a build-a-bear or something, and save the expensive things for later...fewer accidents, and the child will probably be just as happy! Plus I think it builds character to make the kid work for an expensive item if they really want it, not just get it handed to them.

 

I have to agree with that. A BJD is quite an expensive toy for a 7 year old to have. But then again, some kids have far more expensive toys. So it would have to depend upon the family. If your kid already has a pony (read, most expensive things a kid could want) and they take care of their things then they may as well have a doll too.

Although, the anatomical correctness of some of the dolls would make me feel uneasy giving a boy doll to my little girl. And also I'd not wish for a child to have one of the "mature" type female bodied dolls. But that is just a personal thing because I think Barbie has unrealistic proportions as do most models that little girls see and feel the need to live up to.

 

I think it all depends on the child's maturity and capacity for responsibility. Just as I would not give a pet to a child who is incapable (by that I mean not mature or responsible enough) to take good care of it, I would not give a bjd to that child either. I'm not saying bjds are pets. What I am saying is that having a bjd requires a certain amount of judgement, discretion, respect, and responsibility that young children may not have learned yet.

It could be a good way to teach responsibility and respect for one's things to a child. But that requires the adult to be engaged at all times with the child and the bjd.

You'd have to judge it by the individual child.

 

As my mommy always tells me, as a little kid I was perfectly happy to play with sticks in the back yard. I would never give a really little kid a BJD: as careful as kids try to be, they have neither the fine motor control nor the attention span of older people. As far as older kids go, maturity is definitely a factor, but the other thing I would consider is teaching kids fiscal responsibility. My parents rarely bought me anything expensive when I was little unless they thought it was an essential part of childhood (a bike, for example). Thus I learned to be wildly inventive: no Furbie? Okay, I'll paint these walnuts to look like little critters. No Ash and Misty dolls? Okay, I'll draw them on Popsicle sticks (I did eventually get those dolls). I think that's important for teaching kids to solve problems and think outside the box. If a child of mine really really really wanted a BJD I would talk to her/him about the responsibility that goes along with owning something so expensive and delicate. I would ask if s/he was willing to save up for the doll, maybe getting "doll fund money" for birthdays instead of new toys / video games etc. That way s/he would learn how to manage money and appreciate the satisfaction that goes along with knowing that something is unequivocally hers/his.

 

Hmm. I think there are so many factors involved that it is almost impossible to give a generalized answer.
But I like a challenge.

Assuming the child is asking to own a BJD..
I think I'll adress this in the same way as I would should this be about a pet.

If you're there to guide them through the process, to teach your sister/brother/cousin/daughter/son the ways to handle and care for the doll, to help them learn the responsibilities that come with caring for such an expensive item, then by all means: go ahead! Many years of joy to you and your little one!

If you, or the child, doesn't want to invest these basics (emotionally, time- or otherwise) into BJDs then I'd say it's a waste of money; and it's better to find them something else.

 

i have a natural distrust towards children. i don't like kids, and i think they're far too young and irresponsible for a doll of that caliber. why do you think they invented barbies?

 

Well,as long the kid has basic about how to take care of the doll,there should be no problem..If I have kids in future,I definitely gonna give him/her one if he/she is matured enough to take care of it.^_^

 

Most children i would not give a BJD to. I think that to many children a Barbie or Brats doll is fine because they will want to be able to cut the hair and play with it more roughly then they should or they could misplace it. Although there are exceptions and some kids might take really good care of it. I think it really depends on the child and should be left the parents discretion. I’m almost 16 and am getting my first Doll and i know that had i wanted one when i was younger my dad would have gotten one for me. But only because i take care of my things and like them to be perfect had I not been someone that kept my things so nice there would be no way that I would be getting a BJD.

 

It depends on the kid. If it was a kid i knew very well and trusted i would have no problem giving them a BJD that i made. if i knew that they would take just as good of care to it that i would.

 

No, it's not wrong.

Kids are great at living up to the expectations the adults around them hold them to. I would trust a 4-year-old with wire cutters--after making sure they understood the need to be careful--and I would trust him/her with a BJD--after making sure they understood the need to be careful, and that it isn't "just" a doll. For the 9-15 age range mentioned, I would definitely trust a child that had been properly educated and knew what they were dealing with. In previous generations, girls played with porcelain dolls, and they were fine because they new to play carefully.

If a child's parent or another adult/teenager/older child that is in the child's life is a BJD hobbyist, it is fairly natural for him/her to want "that kind" of doll too, or at least to "help" the older person with their dolls.

As far as buying something that expensive for your kid, my brother bought his own $150 drum set when he was 13 with money he had made, mostly making coffee for my dad (which he gets 50 cents for).

 

i dont think maturity matters in a 6 year old or even 11 year old i dont think its good to just "give" them a expesive doll unless they worked for it and earned it so the could sorta understand the value of it and will appreciate it....but most kids that i know who have bjd are spoiled rotten so this is where im coming from

 

You know it's totally up to the parents and based per individual, family situation, etc. There's really no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to the enjoyment of something- whether expensive dolls or making mud pies. At least I don't feel like it's something for me to judge someone else upon. ^_^

I suppose it's more whether you personally believe it to be a responsible action or not? The value is in the eye of the beholder, right? I can certainly see giving a child a $600 dollar doll making other folks uncomfortable. Especially when you're like me and you have to save up for one but for other people the situation is different and it may seem like a reasonable purchase and a very nice gift.

It seems ultimately subjective but remains a great question.

 

Like most others - I don't think it's wrong, as long as they're able to take care of it and can understand the value, then they should be allowed to have one.

 

I second this statement. It really depends on the child. Personally, if i had a young toddler, then i wouldnt give him/her a doll, just because they get tired of toys so quickly and move on to something else, but thats because i just dont have the disposable income to justify that. If someone does, and they wont be hurt financially to give any age child a doll, and the said child will take care of it, i think that it is great! And it is also a great tool to help teach the kid about being responsible. Just my two cents!

 

Considering the price of a large doll, i do not think is a good idea for a child to have one, they can have barbie dolls and be happy as the same, unless the mom is passionate for bjd and teach the child to take good care of the doll.

 

Yes and no. It really depends on the situation as many have pointed out. I for one know lots of kids that shout "do want!!!" when they see something pretty, and after getting it, spend a couple of days (maybe weeks) with the new toy and then throw it into the farthest corner, because there's a new game in town. At the same time, I know almost as many children who, even if they get tired of a toy (and lets be frank - we all do, at one point or the other), will still take good care of it and play with it from time to time, or ask their parents to store the item somewhere / give it to their relatives whose children are of the right age for the toy.
If a child is this responsible - why not? If it tends to neglect the items - then it's really up to the parents, their income, and their attitude towards the child (i.e. do they spoil them or not?).

Personally, I would teach my child responsibility before entrusting such a precious item into their hands. Besides, other kids would probably play Barbies or Bratz or what is there, and a girl with a BJD (even if it's a Limhwa 27 cm doll - roughly the same size as a Barbie) would soon be left out.

 

My girls play with my dolls all the time, they do not wreck them. And they are little.
My older daughter got her first BJD for Xmas, I was a little disappointed truthfully, there was part of me hoping she might abandon her lolz.