American Girl selling “homeless girl” doll for $95

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What could be a better way for your child to learn that the homeless are just like real people than to buy her a “less fortunate” playmate for her other American Girl doll(s)?

How about spending some time with — and money for — someone who is actually homeless?

American GirlThe latest addition to the American Girl line of how-do-you-justify-it-ly expensive dolls is Gwen Thompson. Ms. Thompson

and her mother Janine fell on hard times when her father lost his job; they later lost the house as they were unable to keep up payments. Soon after, Gwen’s father left them and they became homeless the fall before the start of the book’s events. Initially, Gwen’s mother has them live in their car until the winter comes; she then takes them to Sunrise House, a place for homeless women and children. Sunrise House helps them get on their feet and eventually get a new apartment.

Despite this happy ending Ms. Thompson does have a touch of Voltaire’s Candide about her:

Gwen likes to swim. However, she is not a strong swimmer and is sent to work with the 8-9 year olds. She becomes the swim coach’s assistant on the swim team in the second book so that she can participate and learn to swim better. In [the book] Chrissa Stands Strong this makes her the object of cyberbullying.

Poor Gwen should just be grateful she wasn’t made the token cripple as well. Just think how much American Girl could charge for a wheel chair?

I can't compete with reality.

I can't compete with reality.

Even ironistas must do their research. The answer to the above question is $30. Heather, who brought this to my attention and rocks big time, adds  “A set of crutches (with a leg cast and other accessories) is only $26.  You don’t have a daughter….you don’t know!”

Well she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn’t help thinking that there
Was a little more to life
Somewhere else

4 thoughts on “American Girl selling “homeless girl” doll for $95”

  1. Brilliant! What a better way to raise up a generation of community activists. Teach someone else there is a problem rather then taking care of it yourself. Think of how many Presidents could be created by just such a doll!

    Some other dolls to graduate to after the ‘awareness factor’ wears off:

    – ACORN Ballot Stuffing Doll (action figure)
    – ACORN Help Start a Brothel Doll (Pull string version)
    – Teleprompter Doll – hours of fun imagining the speeches to be given

    The list could go on and on ….

  2. Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl who had a clear and unblemished vision for her business, must be very sad. She sold American Girl to Mattel,and look what they have done to it.

  3. It was sad to learn that Pleasant Co. sold to Mattel. That was one doll that was made well and the company stood behind every problem. The clothes fit so well and are sewn better than any doll clothes that I have ever seen.

  4. Pingback: American Girl’s Hawaiian doll is a Caucasian « Collateral Damage

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