I hate Bratz dolls...I think they are ugly and wear completely innappropriate clothing, considering they are marketed to little girls as an alternative to Barbie. Barbie I don't have so much of a problem with - she seems to be a lot more wholesome than those skanky looking Bratz things. But of course I know that as an adult I am looking at them with different eyes than my 4 year old daughter, who recently pointed out the Bratz dolls in the toy sale catalogue and told me thats what she wants for christmas. I see a skanky looking skantily clad doll that is sending all the wrong messages to little girls, she just sees a pretty doll to play with. I mumbled something non-committal and am hoping she will forget about it. Of course if she is given one as a gift I won't stop her playing with it, but I just can't shake the dislike I have for them!

I have read articles before about how the whole Disney princess thing is unhealthy for girls because it sends them the message that all they have to do is be pretty and helpless and a handsome prince will come and 'save' them and 'complete' them and make their life perfect forever more. I don't really buy into that - I think if anything, it is those romantic comedies where the single woman has her crap life made perfect by finding mr wonderful that are more damaging. The princesses are at least obviously make-believe.