Psychology related to dolls

Ah yes, my fav saying is 'tough guys wear pink!' I'd really love it if I could meet another guy who was into dollfie dolls, well one that isn't already taken, there'd be no end to his torture!

 

Oh, I've definitely heard that "maternal" line from both my husband and mother-in-law.
I'm 38 and have no children, and no plans for any either.
I definitely don't hate children. And I'm not much of a people person either. *shrug*
I never had dolls when I was growing up. Never liked what was available. Never felt the need.

Naw. My dolls - well Ichigo in particular - is just another expression of my obsession with Ichigo Kurosaki.
And I can live with that.

Seiji is just because he's beautiful to look at. And fun to play with. Ichigo needs someone to push around. XD

 

Lol, I thought Ken was kinda ugly too. He often had painted-on hair so you couldn't brush it, and he had an uber-thick neck...ugh. But I also find it wierd that now I only like the boy dolls Hehe, I also agree with what you said earlier about people being overly concerned about Barbie promoting a bad body image etc...I would always think to my little 8 year-old self...'but she's a doll!'
Anyways, I think we both had similar doll experiences growing up because everything you've said about dolls and childhood is very familiar to me.

 

"Edit: You're a boy Raven?! How cool! I wish I knew a guy that would share my obsession..."

Ooops! Raven is most definately not a boy. There are a few male BJDs lovers here on DoA though.

 

hmmm, I say that could be a good point.... BUT, however... being around dollowners for quite some time on the internet, I think it might acctually be a bit more dense than that.

I have noticed many doll owners (perhaps even most) develop an high level of attachment for their dolls, that they would even give up a lot of things for the mere thought of loosing their dolls. Some even claim that nothing could ever replace their dolls (both affectively and materialy). The explanation for such a state of mind totally escapes all my comprehension, nor I try to understand. And I'm no psychologist lol

Personally, I'd really love to have kids, lol. But maybe just one (lol... at least that relates to my doll, since I don't think I'd ever be emotionally able to have more than one and still give them enough attention, perhaps I'm afraid I'd get more attached to one than the other/s)

These dolls are pure beauty, I think a lot of people would fall in love with them just by seeing pictures

 

The maternal instinct thing sound extremely simplistic. There are a heck of a lot of other theories that are nearly as obvious. Using the dolls to recapture childhood, or create a fantasy world as an escape from reality...no fear of rejection. And maybe, we just find them beautiful and fascinating, a kind of art appreciation with no weird psychological connections. My guess our reasons or hangups are as varied as each doll owner.

Frankly, the fact I take time out of my crazy day just to play with dolls for a few minutes keeps me sane and off the head shrinker's couch!

 

Never met a psychologist worth HIS or HER license. Most have their heads crammed firmly someplace dark. I think your friend is falling into the typical male-dominate psychology pattern, the same pattern applies in religions too.

He'd be better off writing fiction someplace. I personally hate children with a passion. Don't want them on my own. My "grandson" is a little boy from next door. HE started calling me granny not the other way around. ~.^

Somehow, some alleged medical practicioner of the western tradition putting labels on people to fit his limited world view just ticks me off.

If I offended anyone here, sorry, don't take it personal.

 

that is totally it for me..at least that was the genesis of it...always have liked tiny things, even before I had dolls around to give the tiny things to pretty dollies are a sweet bonus XD

and also a further thought...this hobby allows me to combine so many creative urges...painting,sewing,knitting,jewelry...and that's not even to mention the imaginative story telling/making part that I have found just *naturally evolved* as I gathered my dolls. I love it..it all fits

well said!

 

*lol* It's an interesting theory but I'd say no. I have absolutely no inclination to be a mother right now.

 

*amused* Your friend's analysis might be correct for the few. But like so many women have already stated in this thread, I am not one of those. My maternal instinct is non-existant, even to my own nephews. The only reason why I take care of them or buy them things is because they are related to me by blood. If they are not I wouldn't pay them any attention. I severely dislike children.

I do not think my bjd's are my "children" or "babies" nor am I their "mother". In fact, I rarely hold/play with mine. I look at him from afar and I am happy in the comfortable silence that we share.

 

Surface-reading psychologist. Baaaaaad boy.

My friend psychologist saw my doll and his diagnosis is 'you're psycho'. Followed up by 'You need to have more friends.'

*shrugs* It really is oversimplification. Mostly, I just like dolls. I don't need to want to be a mother to like dolls. I've liked certain dolls since I was kid and I doubt I had any maternal sense then either. People see grown ups carry a doll and it's suddenly psychoanalysis time.

 

That theory is used often when people are discussing about doll-owners in general, not only those who collect BJD.
It sounds very chlichéd to me, like the theory saying that people which collect dolls are infertile and want to satisfy their mother-instincts.

Hmm, I wonder how the many mothers which are writing and discussing in DOA got their children. *irony*
When I was smaller I never played Mother-Child with my Baby-Dolls and I won´t do that with my future BJDs either.

 

I think, as a girl, there is this maternal side to me that maybe I am unaware of. But I don't intend to treat my doll as my child in any way... He is more like a friend to me. I guess in my case, I desire only guy dolls because I don't have many male friends and I find it difficult to get along really well with guys... Girl dolls are not really my thing now (I used to love them when I was young though) because I have soo many girl mates and I don't see the need to dress girl dolls up (I would rather make myself pretty instead ;;^^). I didn't see the need to explore the male fashion industry before but now I have an excuse to do so XD. I think that's another reason why I am only into male dolls ;;^^. But yes I agree that there must be some kind of psycology behind our love for dolls~~~

 

freya1924 had an interesting point, and I think it, in part, suggest why so many of us have had such a violent reaction to the "maternal instincts" thought. We really are prone to box things up in Western cultures.

Girls like pink, dolls, etc. Even in this advanced age soap commercials and cooking stuff commercials tend to say "Mom does this... Mom makes good meals..." Hey, in our house Dad is the cook, because Mom sucks at it. And many of the big-bucks chefs are male

Boys like blue, trucks, dinosaurs, things that they can build and tinker with. Just try to find a pair of dino pajamas for a girl. Riiight. Take them to the checkout counter and strike up a conversation with the clerk. "Your little boy will love these!" "Yes, she will!" I grew up playing with Tonka trucks and Hot Wheels and Erector sets, yadda yadda... and my older daughter knew every dinosaur known to man by the time she was six. AND we play with dolls.

Why MUST we slap labels on things?

So yes, we play with resin dolls. Therefore we must be experiencing maternal instincts. What one of my teachers way back when would have called a "Glittering Generality."

 

Most men seem to forget that they played with dolls when they were children only they were known as "action figures!" Think GI Joe! Is that an expression of their maternal instincts? Does it meet their desire to have children?

While the definition of a doll is "a small replica of a person; used as a toy". There are as many reasons why we collect and play with dolls as there are people and no one reason fits all.

 

It's weird how some of you mentioned you only had girl dolls when you were little and now only collect boy dolls. I used to only like Barbie and not Ken, but now, I only want boy dolls. xD

 

I've always LOVED collecting all things small and functional. >.< If there's a little teapot that doesn't work [you can't pour thought it, etc.] i don't want it, but if it's usable and looks real, i LOVE it. xD I've collected tiny bottles ever since i was like eight or nine as well. BJDs are a way of combining all the things i love into one adorable package with joints. ;3 I might one day want to be a mother, but i feel no need to baby Emilie-Christine, she's only a year younger than me anyway. I think what your friend said is only true to some people.

 

Interesting topic. But your psychologist has a very stereotypical view on the subject. I personally have no intrest in purchasing dolls as "children", as i have no maternal instinct towards material possessions. Yes they are a responsibility and must be treated with care, but that applies to everything of such high value. For some; yes it may be their maternal instinct. For me however that isnt the case. I would never purchase a doll to be a child, i live in a house with 2 very small children as it is. I'm more intrested in BJDs for another reason alltogether. If a psychologist can't see past their blinded view then they need to go back into training. Everyone is different and everyone has their own reasons for wanting dolls.

 

--