Have you heard? It looks like Disney has sold out for a little extra cash. I'm so tired of companies either dirtying up, trashing, prettying, hooching and sexing up their image for a little more profit.
Mickey Mouse has lost it's appeal they say, his wholesome image just doesn't have the same appeal it used to have, so they're going to tap into his origins of a prankster and make him a little meaner. Not a fan, can you tell?
I know Dora was supposed to get all grown up for this Fall, but I haven't seen it or looked for it yet. Hazel's been with me looking at these and kept asking who the girl was by the real Dora, I almost told her it was supposed to be someone else.I don't want her thinking about how pretty and girly Dora will look when she's older. What if she's not pretty? What if she's just strong and and adventurous, what's wrong with that? Seems more fitting and a good role model. Why not try to encourage in girls the same skills the real Dora has if she has to age, I assume they'd still have a following.
Did you know they made Strawberry Shortcake "prettier" this year too? Apparently she has no more kitty she plays with, it's a cell phone. That's great.
And finally, the sunmaid. She's gone through more than just these changes, but these are the highlights, or low lights.
I'm not opposed to updating an image, like I don't like the 1923 one of the sumaid. I think updating is fine, but I don't like it when a company just tries to make things prettier, skinnier, meaner, rougher, whatever it may be that makes it just a bit less like wholesome goodness. Did you see the Mickey Mouse pic? Aggg!
Did you know they made Strawberry Shortcake "prettier" this year too? Apparently she has no more kitty she plays with, it's a cell phone. That's great.And finally, the sunmaid. She's gone through more than just these changes, but these are the highlights, or low lights. I'm not opposed to updating an image, like I don't like the 1923 one of the sumaid. I think updating is fine, but I don't like it when a company just tries to make things prettier, skinnier, meaner, rougher, whatever it may be that makes it just a bit less like wholesome goodness. Did you see the Mickey Mouse pic? Aggg!Q: Do you mind these changes? Do they concern you?
Q: Do you ever try to stay away from companies that do this?
Q: Do you think it affects little kids and adults?
Q: Do you think it affects little kids and adults?
7 comments:
Wow--didn't even know about these! Then again, my kids only know who Mickey Mouse and Dora are from toothbrushes. Oh well.
What really irritates me is the Disney princesses--I finally just refused to read our Disney books unless someone is very sick and needs a new distraction (yeah, I know it's kind of weird). But I got SOOO tired of Ariel's disobedience, and Sleeping Beauty's parents giving her up to a bunch of fairies they didn't even know, and Jasmine sneaking out of the palace...there's my little rant. At least there's Belle, right? Intelligent & compassionate, even if her father doesn't protect her...Now if only somebody would make some nice plain kid underwear without licensing all over it. Then I could have my house as a Disney-free zone (hey, I can dream, right?)
Here's another thing that bugs me: the Berenstein Bears books. Yes, I appreciate that they're teaching lessons, and most of the time I think they do a good job at getting the point across, etc., but why does Papa always have to be such a moron? Can't the cubs learn the lesson without having their father blatantly fail at something? Argh. And of course, we have a million of these books, because Abigail LOVES them and my mom gleefully gave me all of hers with a little evil chuckle.
Anyway. :-)
Yes, these changes bug me! Updating, yes, that's fine. But to change the whole feel and image, I don't agree with that. I recently noticed My Little Ponies have changed as well too - they've got HUGE eyes now, all alien-like. To me they resemble those ugly Bratz dolls.
I just saw this on MSN. He looks like an evil psychotic mouse...perhaps nipping at the Raid a bit. It fully expect the game to be like Grand Theft Auto-Mickey Style (not that I've ever seen that game.) If they want to update his look a bit, fine. He actually looks a little more like his original "Steamboat Willie" self--less rounded, more oval/angular. But the evil expression is what gets me.
I saw the "more mature" Dora at Target yesterday. They call her and her friends the "Adventure Girls" or something like that. I didn't recognize her as Dora and neither did Abrielle. She's like a less trashy Bratz doll. My jury is still out. She's dressed pretty modestly and isn't stick thin or overly exaggerated..not sure what I think yet....
Yes, it bugs me big time! We try to keep Avery away from as much as possible, but still the whole issue of pressuring our kids via their entertainment really bothers me. Avery has been pulling her sleeves over her shoulder so she can look like a princess these days-- WHO told her that princesses have dresses that go over the shoulder??!! I'm still trying to figure out the source since she's only really seen Enchanted as a princess movie. Anyways, yes. It bugs me the pressure they put on kids, we have to basically keep Avery 100% away these days!
AFter thinking about your post, I remember how they changed Ninja Turtles too! We watched them after school every day for years, then I noticed my younger siblings watching them during my high school years - they were all tough with heavy rock music and weird blank eyes. What the? No more joking, charming, funny turtles anymore. So sad.
I hadn't seen these yet! Mickey - that is just sick. Dora grown up? You're right - why can't kids just stay kids? I agree with Shelley on the modesty. That is actually really refreshing how refreshing she does look grown up. I'd rather keep her the same though.
Mickey? Are you kidding me? I've seen the new Dora. I can't remember if Emily noticed it or not, but I did rush my kids past because I didn't want to have that conversation. ("What was wrong with her? Why did they change her?")
I think it's pathetic how everything is getting "prettier." I think it totally affects kids and adults. Look at how the models on magazines affect our teenagers and us. I'm constantly trying to have a flatter stomach and smaller thighs and I think I always will. Do I want my daughter to feel that way? No. Do I want my boys to think that is the only kind of girl worth marrying? No. But is that what is portrayed? Yes. And no matter how I try to protect them at home, they see it in the check out line at the grocery store, they see it when we go to the bookstore, they see it in big billboards on the street or in the airports when we travel. It's everywhere. And it amazes me to see how much of it is right at their eye level.
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