Food Stamps Not Included

[citizen]

Gwen's official American Girl wiki states:

Gwen and her mother Janine fell on hard times when her father lost his job; they later lost the house as they were unable to keep up payments. Soon after, Gwen's father left them and they became homeless the fall before the start of the book's events. Initially, Gwen's mother has them live in their car until the winter comes; she then takes them to Sunrise House, a place for homeless women and children. Sunrise House helps them get on their feet and eventually get a new apartment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY320_pnxVs

[RandyWayne]

The next dolls to come out will be the Spanky doll, then the Buckwheat one, next Alfalfa, and finally Porky, Darla, and Butch dolls.

[commonsense]

Is this supposed to be a positive role model?

[MissBrattified]

You know, I think toys are supposed to represent an imaginary, creative world for children to enjoy--I don't think they need these reality based "back stories." What a downer, to buy your child a "homeless doll" for Christmas or a birthday. Especially for someone as young as 8.

If you want your children to develop charity, then take them to visit someone who is sick, or take a bag of groceries to a neighbor--or allow them to donate their old clothes once or twice a year--that is good enough for developing an awareness of those in need.

I want to protect my children from the harshness of the world and its realities as long as possible; they don't need to lose their childlike innocence too soon. Plenty of time for all that disappointment and disillusionment in their adult futures.

I'm not for keeping them in a bubble, but a homeless doll? That's a little too much for a little girl.

[1Corinth2v4]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

If you want your children to develop charity, then take them to visit someone who is sick

If you want your child to become a politician, chat with him/her about politics over the dinner table!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by 1Corinth2v4

If you want your child to become a politician, chat with him/her about politics over the dinner table!

You're incorrigible.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

You know, I think toys are supposed to represent an imaginary, creative world for children to enjoy--I don't think they need these reality based "back stories." What a downer, to buy your child a "homeless doll" for Christmas or a birthday. Especially for someone as young as 8.

If you want your children to develop charity, then take them to visit someone who is sick, or take a bag of groceries to a neighbor--or allow them to donate their old clothes once or twice a year--that is good enough for developing an awareness of those in need.

I want to protect my children from the harshness of the world and its realities as long as possible; they don't need to lose their childlike innocence too soon. Plenty of time for all that disappointment and disillusionment in their adult futures.

I'm not for keeping them in a bubble, but a homeless doll? That's a little too much for a little girl.

Abigail,
I don't agree with you on this. American Girl is an awesome company. I read every single book to my daughter, we subscribed to the magazine, etc.

American Girl teaches real life stories about hurt, friendship, loyalty, trials and victory.

For me, the collection wouldn't be complete without Gwen. I wanted my daughter to know all of these things and to be sympathetic to the plight of a girl that could have been her age! That's what the American Girl Dolls, books, magazine and company try to convey.

I believe they are a huge teaching moment that I would never pass up for any child. Harry Potter action figures, Bratz and Barbie are a whole different story.

American Girl has redeemable quality! I love American Girl!