So, today I'm zooming around the web goofing off, which is a common past time when Adam's asleep, and I come across a site about these little dolls by Mattel called "Shorties".

They're about two inches tall, and they're extremely round. You pop their heads off to put on different bodies (you switch bodies instead of clothes to change her outfits, much easier than wiggling spandex onto Barbie's tiny ass). Their heads are rather large, but other than that, the just look fat, not "unusual".

I found them to be one of the cutest things I'd ever seen, and I was almost in tears with joy at the fact that Mattel was finally getting it right, and making a doll that doesn't display a sickening image of what society thinks women should look like. (If you don't know what I mean, let me sum it up quickly...Barbie's head is bigger around than her waist, and were she real, her back would snap from the weight of her chest on such a small torso, and her legs would break because they're too long. The "Bratz" line is also terrible for any girls self esteem for the simple fact that the dolls waist is smaller than the dolls neck. I actually fit my Bratz doll's necklace around her waist as a belt).

Now, here I am, gawking, and cheering, and Googling the hell out of these little dolls. When I come across a write up by the Mattel corporation that explains that they're "listening to girls" about what they want, and making a doll that will "make them laugh while they have fun". They go on to talk about the Shortie's "distorted world" where not only the Shortie's are distorted, but so are their furniture, pets, etc.

Distorted. A fat little doll is "distorted" because it's fat. What in the world is wrong with this picture? You tell me.

Bratz heads were bigger arround than their entire body, even their hips, and yet, never once, where Bratz described as "distorted".

Barbie would BREAK if she were a real woman, and yet you never hear her referred to as "distorted".

But this fat little doll is considered distorted. Yes, it's only 2 inches of plastic. Yes, the proportions between the dolls head and body are off, and the dolls arms are small compared to her torso side. But because baby doll got back, she's considered distorted.

I don't know wether I should cheer at Mattel's progress, or weep that they have to call these adorable little dolls "distorted".

I, of course, have spent the duration of my life trying to get past the stigmatisms placed upon "big girls", and was hoping these little dolls would help some girls out there, who like me, always wanted a fat little baby doll that wasn't a Cabbage Patch Kid, which just has a big head and small body. I mean, honestly, had Barbie been packing a few more pounds on her ass and tummy when I was growing up, I'd have been a lot better off.

So, now I'm in a dilemma. Do I buy these little dolls to coddle and giggle over and use as little conversation pieces, to someday pass to my future daughters, or do I boycott them as I do the rest of Mattel's products? (My childhood Barbie Collection is boxxed and hasn't been touched since I was 10, and the two Bratz dolls (a Brat and a Bratz Boy) I bought disgusted me with their ridiculous conception of 'hip girls', and their acessories got lost within about 6 months).

Now, don't think I'm being excentric. I have good reason for asking this. These dolls, while absolutely painstakingly adorable, could have the capacity to trash even more girls if the boxxes say that these dolls are from a "distorted world".

Now, if you're 8 years old, and you're packing a bit of wieght, and you get this adorable little doll after begging Mommy for an hour straight at Wal-Mart to get it for you, and you read a description on the back of the package calling these little dolls "distorted", how the hell would YOU feel about YOUR body?

I know I sure as hell would have burst out crying and been very pissed off. And been very vocal about my anger. I probably would have written Mattel a very nasty letter calling them all kind of names.....I often wrote nasty letters to people as a child, and then would tear them up and throw them in the trash, but that's besides the point.

This doll has the potential to raise many a little-chubby-girl's self esteem, and yet Mattel had to go and screw it up.

Great job, assholes. You're going to give even more girls eating disorders, and you're going to make millions off of it. Lovely.

Ah, and for all of ya'll's viewing pleasure, Nia, one of the Shortie's.

This version of Nia comes with the "Shorties Kickin Cruiser Car"


This version of Nia is her "normal set", and comes with her furniture, pet, and two fashions.


~Mandy, an extremely pissed off "big girl", who can't stop going "awww"


posted by Manda @ 7:49 PM+

Post a Comment

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *