Sexy Toys?

Can Girls Pick Up On Sexuality From Dolls?

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Dating Tips and Advice

Q: Dear April Masini,

I just had a daughter, and my husband and I have been thinking about the types of toys we want her exposed to. People are talking about buying her Barbie dolls, and I remember hearing something about Barbie dolls distorting girls' images of sex and making them sexual earlier.

Is this true? Should we put the kibosh on Barbies for our babies?

Sincerely,

New Mom 

A:

Dear New Mom, 
Most baby toys are not inherently sexual. The sexuality that a young girl imputes to a toy comes from her experiences. What she sees and hears around her will be incorporated into her play. That's why many therapists use "doll therapy" in trying to learn about a child's experiences and feelings. The child acts out behaviors he or she has seen or experienced with the dolls. But the dolls -- or any other toys -- don't have sexuality inherent in themselves.
What parents and caregivers can do to limit inappropriate sexuality around young girls is to make sure that they are sheltered as they should be. Young girls should not see other people acting sexual or having sex -- whether it's real life sex or television images of sex or images in the mall or other people's homes of sex. There are certain things that should not be in a young girl's experience and it is the parents responsibility to shield their daughter from such things.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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