Isaac Larian, founder
MGA Entertainment
16380 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 200
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Dear Mr. Larian:
I recently learned that, in four years, my two year old daughter will be a member of the target market for the “bralette” you sell, a padded bra geared toward girls age six to ten. Parents have expressed worry that this product contributes to the sexualization of young girls, which fuels the pedophile problem. A spokesperson for your distributor reportedly said that the bralette was designed to hide their developing breasts rather than show them off. This, too is problematic, and I fell that this sort of product will create problems for more girls than it helps.
Although cases of “preschool puberty” do exist, girls generally are not developing breasts at this young age that warrant the purchase of a brazier. To market bras to them can make them feel that they ought to be more physically developed than they are, or it may send the message that “hey, the boobs are coming and you’d better have the right equipment to strap them down when they do.”
I understand that your company makes no claim to be in the educational and developmental toy business. You are very clear and to the point in your company name. You are in the entertainment industry. I would think, though, that a large and successful company that has a great deal of influence over young girls would have a sense of responsibility for the messages that their products project. So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Do dolls such as your Bratz Dolls, with big eyes and a “passion for fashion,” spark these passions in preteens? Or is the demand there already and the products are created in response to the vivid imagination of these girls?
The thing that puzzles me the most, actually, is why the only two “settings” that are shown on the Bratz web site are a makeup vanity and a laundromat. I guess it’s all about putting on makeup and... washing your clothes? After generations of parents have tried in vain to steer their children away from the Barbie aisle out of fear that she would instill in them a longing for impossible beauty standards, it looks as though your Bratz are the new Dreaded Desire.
Truly,
Liz Mann
