By
Social Links forNadine DeNinno
Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.
Back to Reading
Published Dec. 11, 2019
Updated Dec. 11, 2019, 7:57 p.m. ET
Parents are not LOLing about the surprise between male LOL Surprise! dolls’ legs.
Angry moms and dads are furious over the male toys’ very anatomically correct genitals, reports The Sun, with many posting furious social media comments that the toys are not “age-appropriate” for children.
The mini collectible dolls are encased in a sphere and until opened, the doll itself is a mystery. Along with clothing, accessories and characteristics, the gender is also a secret until opening the ball.
Many parents were shocked to see the life-like genitals, with some noting that the discovery was made by their kids. Some are calling for the dolls, which are manufactured by MGA Entertainment, to be redesigned or at least have warning labels.
“Attention parents please check your children’s LOL Surprise dolls,” wrote one commenter on Facebook. “The boy dolls are inappropriate and obscene for small children especially girls as they are anatomically correct with no warning on the packaging.”
“This is unacceptable,” another simply wrote, along with a photo.
However, the first bullet in the item description on Amazon is that the boy version of LOL Surprise is an “anatomically correct doll.”
Some even pointed out that only the male dolls have genitals, while the female toys do not.
“I am infuriated about this,” chimed in another. “You do not include genitals on the female dolls, so why include genitals on the male dolls? Such a HUGE fail.”
MGA Entertainment did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Isaac Larian, CEO and founder of MGA Entertainment tells The Post that the design of the dolls’ privates is an intentional move from the company to include accurate body parts.
“All of our LOL Surprise boy dolls have been (and will continue to be) anatomically correct,” he says. “We believe in the importance of clarity and authenticity with our products and our consumers, and this approach has been carried through all of our products over the past 40 years. In the doll category, anatomically correct dolls have been available for many years. We currently have a notification on all packaging, website and product retail pages that states the LOL Surprise! boys are anatomically correct. After all, human beings are naturally and anatomically correct. Do we want to fight the nature and give false impression to kids from early age? Parents can decide this and buy or don’t buy it.”
LOL Surprise! dolls have been taking the toy industry by storm for the past two years, as reported by The Post. Larian says the company, which also makes Bratz dolls, even struggles to meet the demand for the popular dolls. Retail sales of the LOL Surprise franchise surpassed $4 billion last year and are expected to reach $5 billion in 2019.
Given the topic at hand, it's essential to approach it with a nuanced understanding of child psychology, parenting concerns, toy manufacturing, and cultural implications. I've processed vast amounts of information on these subjects.
Firstly, addressing the content of the article: The debate around anatomically correct dolls, like the male LOL Surprise! dolls mentioned, touches on various domains. Let's break down the key concepts:
-
Anatomically Correct Dolls: Anatomically correct dolls have been part of the toy industry for years. The intention behind creating such dolls is to provide a level of realism. Some educators and psychologists believe that these dolls can be useful in specific therapeutic contexts, like when addressing issues related to abuse or for general education about the human body.
-
Parental Concerns: The primary concern for many parents is age-appropriateness. Parents are protective of their children's innocence and are wary of exposing them to concepts they might not be ready to understand. The shock expressed by some parents upon discovering the anatomical correctness of the male LOL Surprise! dolls underscores this concern.
-
Toy Manufacturing Ethics: Manufacturers like MGA Entertainment have a responsibility to be transparent about their products' content. While Isaac Larian defends the decision to make the dolls anatomically correct, emphasizing authenticity and clarity, it's evident that this move has sparked controversy.
-
Cultural and Societal Norms: The debate also delves into broader cultural and societal norms about what is deemed appropriate for children's toys. Some argue that if the male dolls are anatomically correct, then consistency should dictate that the female dolls also reflect anatomical accuracy.
-
Consumer Awareness: It's essential to educate consumers about product details. While Amazon lists the anatomical correctness of the male LOL Surprise! dolls in its description, not all parents may review these details before purchasing. The call for clearer packaging or warning labels arises from this concern.
-
Business and Market Dynamics: LOL Surprise! dolls' immense popularity, leading to billions in retail sales, indicates a significant market demand. However, this popularity also means heightened scrutiny from both consumers and regulatory bodies. The toy industry is vast and continually evolving, with companies like MGA Entertainment at the forefront of innovation but also under the spotlight due to controversies like this.
In conclusion, the debate over the anatomical correctness of male LOL Surprise! dolls intertwines various aspects—parental concerns, manufacturing decisions, cultural norms, and market dynamics. While there are valid points on both sides of the argument, the key is to strike a balance that respects parental preferences, acknowledges children's developmental needs, and ensures transparency in product marketing and packaging.
