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

I like the idea of having children save up their money for the doll, even if in the end they only pay a percent of the total cost. It shows them the investment being made. And if the child has a good role model in the way the parent (or whoever) treats expensive dolls, then they will follow suit.

As for age limit, I specifically remember as a child of 7 or even younger being VERY careful with certain toys that I knew were expensive, fragile, or just important to me. I think as long as the child understand that this is a "special" toy, there should be no problem.

Of course, accidents do happen with children (or anyone), but that can be part of the child's learning experience as well. A doll can serve as an interesting teaching tool: responsibility, physically careful handing, sewing clothes, mechanics, and of course fantasy play and creativity. For instance, you could paint the face-up in front of them so they can see the detail of the work, or stringing/restringing the doll in front of them so they can see how fragile they are. And all this comes without the risk of harming a living animal if a pet was the alternative. Personally I'd much rather get my child a $300 doll that at worst would be broken than a $30 hamster that at worst would die.

 

Lordy- at the end of the day, it's a doll. period, end of statement.
As long as the 'child' in context loves the doll, then fine. Whether parents are okay with either spending the money, or having the kid save up for it, it's still a doll, and no doll can rightly be denied to a child. It'd be silly- the very nature of what dolls are is a toy for children (regardless of what they may have been in the past, that's what they're viewed as now by the larger world.) So let them do with it what they will- it's really not that big of a deal.
And as was stated by sadieko, if you really want to, use it as a teaching tool- but remember, that it's still at the end of the day- just a doll.

 

Wrong is a strong word. I figure it's a parent's call, if they think they want to spend the money and that their child won't trade their doll for a pretty rock, they're golden.

It also kind of depends on whether they have another sibling that might be younger or more immature.

 

For something as delicate and expensive as a BJD, I would rather have my kid save up their own money to buy it. I'm not trying to say that all kids are irresponsible, but having to save up for as long as they would, my hopes would be that they would treat it better than if I just bought it for them. As for letting them have one in the first place, it depends on their maturity level. I feel like if they're able to work enough to save up hundreds of dollars, they're probably going to be old enough to handle it.

 

I completely agree with this! I think that when the toy itself is toxic, you can't give it to a child that won't be able to properly appreciate the toxicity. In fact, even if the child is 13 or 14, they may not harm themselves but might harm another child/pet in the home if they carelessly leave a spare doll hand lying around or sand the doll indoors. So, for young children, I do think it's wrong, and starting maybe 13 or 14, you have to decide how responsible they are, and moreover, whether they might put other younger family members or pets at risk unknowingly.

 

of course money is an issue. but even if a child takes care of it, there are other reasons why a very young child (around 10 or younger) shouldnt have a bjd in my opinion. and that reason being that most/almost all bjds are anatomical correct so to say. i wouldnt want my little kid to play with a doll that has nipples or a penis >_< maybe thats oldfashioned...

 

I don't think it's wrong, so much as a little extreme. For most children, a BJD would only be a doll. It really depends if they want it simply because it's pretty or they have taken a sudden fancy to it, or if they are actually interested in the whole process of creating their own special doll. It's a lot to pay for a toy, and if they broke it almost as soon as it arrived it would be excessively wasteful. If they can prove they want it by saving up (even if it's not for all of it), then I think they are mature enough to know how to handle a BJD.

 

wrong? how can giving a doll to a child be wrong? the only thing I have to say on this matter is that it depends on the child and the adults supplying the doll. If the child is responsible then I see no issue whatsoever, it the child is a smasher, careless, a tantrum thrower or otherwise likely to destroy the doll then I would have reservations about giving them something so expensive. That said I know 5 year olds who save scrupulously to afford their obsessions (even one who cleans his parent's bathroom and saved up for a PS3 that way) and who take perfect care of everything they own, and then I have seen others who THROW expensive electrical toys (game consoles) the same value as a doll. A doll can be the perfect opportunity for a child to learn to take care of things, and the value of work and money, or just a poor investment. Depends on the kid in question.

 

You do know that most of the baby dolls they make these days are... uhm... well, built just like babies, let's say... don't you? And those are marketed specificly for the younger set.

 

well tbh i never had a doll like that..and even so..i would never buy my kid such a doll. for the same reason you tell your kid to look away if theres nudity on the tv. i was raised that way but as i said, it might be oldfashioned. also..baby dolls are babies...bjds are "grown"..so theres a bit more of sexuality to it...

 

I don't see an issue with children and anatomically correct dolls. The kids I know would wonder why the dolls aren't just like them. After all, they have nipples and penises and would want to know why their dolls don't.

 

i never wondered such a thing as a child...even to me, it sometimes feels weird that bjds are so "mature" >_< in my opinion it would be like letting your son study a porn magazine because after all theres only natural stuff in it :/

 

One of my friends has willed his entire Playboy collection to his son. Some of those vintage issues can fetch up to two thousand dollars in mint condition. Said friend also bought educational sex toys for his son when the boy started getting really interested in playing with himself.

Anthony also forces his son to watch the video tape of his own birth at least once a year, partly to remind his kid about one of the consequences of sex. Nick is now 20, and has firmly decided he wants to be a virgin until he finds the "right one." Sometimes, a little sex education can be a good thing. But this is getting into off topic territory.

Addressing the subject of this thread, I have issues with young teens (13-14 years old) having BJDs. I'm sure some are very mature for their age, but it makes me uneasy and makes me wonder if BJD collecting will have a negative or positive impact on having a realistic concept of money, i.e. understanding the value of a dollar. This ultimately varies from individual to individual, thus I'm unwilling to lay out a flat judgement on it.

 

i think that boy decided that, because his dad simple scared him o.o but ok...thats another topic...so no more about that

 

I was thinking for geting my niece a BBB but I was going to try ebay .....she is 12 years old and she love love loves my sprite.....Is that a good gift to get her for christmas........or is she to young for that kind of thing she has seen mine and knows how to take care of it....please let me know

 

I don't really think that it's 'wrong', specifically. It's up to the person with the money. If the child wants the doll, and knows to take care of the doll, then by all means, buy them the doll. They've proven that they're capable of appreciating it.

If someone were to buy one of these dolls for their child (or younger sibling, cousin, etc.), and that child is known for breaking things, or tends not to be very careful with their things, and doesn't understand the monetary value of the dolls. . .Then it's potentially a very stupid decision. Not wrong. But stupid.

 

but she is very good with her thing and takes care of theme....It is good for me I make the wigs and clothes so it would no cost to much....

 

Ah, sorry, I wasn't directing my post at you. ^^;

If she's interested and does take care of her things, then by all means, go ahead! It's really best to go with your own judgement. If you think it's the right thing to do, then do it.

 

thank that halped alot......now i know what she is geting now the rest...hahaha

 

I'm 14 and I've had my girl for almost a year now.
I may not know everything about the doll world, but I try my best to take very good care of her and to learn more and more every day. As a child I took very good care of all my stuffed animals and other toys. Yes, I understand a $300+ doll comes with more responsibility than a $10 plush dog, but my mother trusted me do to my gentle touch with her porcelain dolls. Maybe it's because I'm a girl, or maybe because I have OCD, or even the fact that I played by myself and wasn't rough...
Whichever way. I don't think it's wrong for a 9-15 year old to own a BJD as long as the buyers know the child won't run around with it and throw it in mud, taking in the fact that the kid isn't buying it for themselves.