Babes in Stripperland
Posted by: Intern Eliza
in General
on Sep 03, 2009

Just when you thought children's toys couldn't get any weirder, a mysterious photo surfaces and pushes the boundaries of taste to whole new levels. This week, we give you the Pole Dancer Doll, a toy that is er, pretty self-explanatory. The baby-faced doll comes outfitted in a sparkly green dress with pole and light-up flashing stage to match. Unfortunately, it seems you'll have to provide the riff-tastic soundtrack yourself (Warrant's 'Sweet Cherry Pie,' anyone?)
The grainy photo above (via Gizmodo) is the only one that seems to exist of the doll, and it's a little unclear where one actually purchases this angelic dancing diva (a quick eBay search produced slightly more -- ahem -- explicit results). Regardless of the doll's origins, though, the idea of a pole dancing doll is certainly controversial: parents all over the Internet are already freaking out, and for what seems like good reason.
While the Bebe Gloton toy outraged some, it did seem to have (arguably) good intentions: teaching little girls about breastfeeding and naturalizing an act still frowned upon by many adults. But there don't seem to be any such positives about the Pole Dancer, whose sole purpose is apparently teaching young girls how to work it up on the pole. Personally, I believe pole dancing is a totally legit profession if pole dancing is your thing (and no one's forced you into it, and you enjoy it, and you're over 18, etc.), but what about little girls who are too young to know the difference between objectification and sexual confidence? I'm all for sex positivity, but where's the line between teaching little girls to be comfortable with their bodies and teaching them to appeal to a lowest-common-denominator stereotype of male heterosexuality?
Then again, there's always the possibility that the entire thing is a hoax, given the lone cell phone photo and complete lack of information on the toy company allegedly producing the doll. But even if the doll does exist, does it really send a message little girls aren't already receiving from every other direction? Check out tween idol Miley Cyrus's performance on the Teen Choice Awards, or that popular YouTube video of the toddler doing the 'Single Ladies' dance, or pretty much anything you see on reality TV (I'm talking to you, Taya from Rock of Love Bus).
Granted, most of the sexed-up stuff you see on basic cable supposedly isn't meant for under-18 eyes, but I knew how to get around my parents' MTV ban as well as any 11-year-old probably does now. Even if the Pole Dancer Doll IS about to hit a Wal-Mart near you, is it really that big a deal? I don't have kids, and if I did I probably wouldn't buy them this, but why trash all the ladies out there who do make a living pole dancing while we're in the process of trashing this doll? Some of those confident, independent women might make better role models than say, whiny, boy-obsessed Bella from the Twilight novels, but you don't see too many people trying to pull those books off the shelves. What do you think, ladies?
photo courtesy Gizmodo.com
The opinions expressed on the BUST blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of BUST Magazine or its staff.

written by deeksha, September 03, 2009
written by Kpuketza, September 04, 2009
You said
"what about little girls who are too young to know the difference between objectification and sexual confidence? I’m all for sex positivity, but where’s the line between teaching little girls to be comfortable with their bodies and teaching them to appeal to a lowest-common-denominator stereotype of male heterosexuality?"
VERY WELL SAID! I don't think there is anything wrong with anyone going to a place like this, or sex positivity, or pole dancers --- good for all of the above...But I weep for the girls who have no idea that they have choices -- and there are other options for boosting their self-esteem than objectifying and capitolizing on their "goods." And I don't trust parents out there to teach this - mine didn't, and I had a LONG way to go to struggle to find it. Girls who do not have good parenting, role models, and only have the media and popular culture in this society as their guides are going to suffer.
BOO!
written by Wendy, September 04, 2009
Isn't pole dancing a new exercise craze? Maybe that's how this came to be, mom’s doing it for a workout then some conference room full of corp types dreams this up. Seriously, no mom would buy this as I doubt they’ll be desirous to teach base-depressing sexuality to their young girls. I get the feeling this isn't real and someone's having a laugh. Pretty convincing drugstore-esk background though.
written by Jennifer, September 04, 2009
a lot of kid's toys emulate adult interests, and with the popularity of pole dancing for fitness, fun and whatever other reasons that caused it to trickle into the mainstream, it was only a matter of time before this toy came out.
it wouldn't surprise me if this same company came out with the "in-vitro doll" next. (free speculum in every box!)
written by Uppity, September 05, 2009
written by Jennifer, September 05, 2009
written by ?, September 05, 2009
written by Debra, September 06, 2009
Aren't we endangering our daughters, then, by having them emulate mommy-not knowing the consequences of such behavior? If my daughter started to pole dance not knowing the sexuality behind it-then men are likely to misinterpret her behavior. I'd be setting her up for rape or molestation. Total ignorance on the mother's part. Men are idiots to begin with. The last thing men need to see is the sexualization of little girls through big girls unintelligent choices. I'm sorry but what is respectable about pole dancing? Any profession that services men sexually and keeps women in places of submission is not respectable by any accounts. Would you honestly be proud of your daughter if she were a stripper? Come on ladies. Let's be honest with ourselves, here.
written by Jennifer, September 06, 2009
written by dianna, September 06, 2009
written by sarah, September 06, 2009
That being said, the whole issue of American toys in recent years started with Bratz dolls. You could make the case that it was really Barbie, but lets be honest here- Barbie was never as over-sexualized and... slutty-looking when I was growing up. And I'm only twenty, so it hasn't been that many years since I was playing with my dolls.
This, the breast-feeding doll, and the little baby boy doll that has a plastic (albeit slightly unrealistic) penis that urinates... They're all disturbing and I would really like to know what these toy companies are thinking.
written by Jasmine, September 09, 2009
It's really interesting though that barbies have huge breasts and bratz don't wear any clothes, but this makes people upset?
I'm not saying it's right..but at least there isn't a boy doll that throws money at her? And at least her hair looks like my great grandmothers...
I don't know...I'm just trying to make lemonade?
written by Jean, September 10, 2009
written by Dharmaa, September 10, 2009
written by Kat, September 10, 2009
Here....
http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2006/12/usb-pole-dancer.html
The stage and pole look almost identical to those on the "kids toy". So either someone used a picture of the original adult oriented toy and made this fake box, or maybe this is how the company is using the surplus stock! Personally I am betting on the first idea.
written by Brianna, September 10, 2009
written by Kate, September 10, 2009
written by yo momma, September 10, 2009
I have friends who are pole dancers, and I completely respect the profession, and feel that pole dancing is an amazing and wonderful workout too.
This doll is out of line. Pole Dancing as a sport and workout may be appropriate for some mature teens and adults. Pole Dancing as a profession is appropriate for adult women and men.
With Love and Concern,
Yo Momma
written by Jenny, September 10, 2009
In response to Annie's question about valuing all jobs - I say "no."
written by Gloom, September 10, 2009
written by J2, September 10, 2009
"If my daughter started to pole dance not knowing the sexuality behind it-then men are likely to misinterpret her behavior. I’d be setting her up for rape or molestation. Total ignorance on the mother’s part. Men are idiots to begin with. The last thing men need to see is the sexualization of little girls through big girls unintelligent choices."
Gloom's clearly a naif, and I've had it up to my ass with the careless parenting our society has devolved into supporting. Dress your 5 y.o. like a (child) prostitute? applaude when s/he exhibits (learned)inappropriate sexuality for their age? These are freakin' neglectful behaviors and pave the way for deeeeply internalized objectification not to mention placing an over-emphasis on physical characteristics.
You wanna WRITE A BOOK about pole-dancing mommy's job - fine, mebbe I'll read it to my kids, but this doll? And all ya'll rationalizations? bull shit.
written by betty, September 10, 2009
?: How many NON-strippers are 'confident, independent' women? THAT'S a bit naive.
written by MLP, September 10, 2009
written by BlackRose, September 10, 2009
It's cute, but I don't think I'd give it to my 8 year old. For myself? Hell yeah! It's funny!
written by carolita, September 10, 2009
That's for their parents to teach them about. Let's hope!
written by Emily, September 11, 2009
written by shannon, September 11, 2009
written by Christin, September 11, 2009
written by Clare, September 12, 2009
written by criminologist, September 23, 2009
The increased hyper-sexualization of young girls (elementary-school-aged) has gotten out of hand, in my opinion. I cringed when I saw the first "La Senza Girl" store and took a store manager to task when I found fishnet stockings and a t-shirt that had "SEXY" emblazoned on it, both items sized for a five-year-old.
Parents who think allowing their children - let alone this manufactured "tween" age demographic - to dress "sexy" is highly inappropriate. Given the horror stories, news reports, and email warnings about child abductions, child sex offenders in our communities, and sexual assaults committed by younger children, perhaps it's time to make the connection. There is a link between our sexual objectification of female children and the violence that occurs against females of all ages.
You may think your school-aged daughter looks "cute" in that t-shirt and miniskirt, but someone else out there is likely becoming sexually aroused.
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I agree that " pole dancing is a totally legit profession if pole dancing is your thing (and no one’s forced you into it, and you enjoy it, and you’re over 18, etc.)".
I also believe there are other ways to teach kids how to grow up. Obviously, the doll is meant for little girls younger than 12 years olds.
It's questionning society. Should all jobs be valued?
I have no answer...