Diamonds and Dolls

Many girls grew up with Barbie dolls. Some thought she sent the wrong message to girls about their looks and how they ought to look but overall she was a pretty harmless toy. However, the same cannot be said for the new dolls on sale for young girls everywhere. They are called Bratz; the name alone sends a pretty strong message. When I went online to watch the 2009 commercials for Bratz I came across an ad called Bratz Diamonds. It opens with three girls most likely around the age of twelve, as they walk up the catwalk to the camera to show off their make up, high heels and jewelry. The camera then shows the Bratz dolls with their signature diamonds. The dolls have tons of make up and are dressed as if they are going clubbing. The song in the back round says every girl wants diamonds and Bratz signature diamonds are the best. The ad ends with the young girls holding their dolls and diamonds.

So not only do twelve year old girls want toys they also want diamond jewelry. This ad makes young girls believe if they wear makeup and high heels and have these dolls and their diamonds they will be popular and happy and thus begins one of the biggest myths of our time. The ad feeds off the expression diamonds are forever and it works all too easy. So how does this sell dolls? Young girls want whatever they see on T.V; especially if their friends have it. So they go to their moms and plead and cry until their parents give in. This leads to another myth that you will get what you want if you throw a fit until it’s in your hands.

One of America's biggest myths is that if you are thin, pretty and rich and you have the clothes, the make-up, the jewelry, you will be happy. This message is targeted to girls so young they don’t even know what it means but it has tremendous impact. After all, diamonds and dolls are a girl's best friend.
~Scarlet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB7sHS1WHDY