American Girl boycotted: Accused of luring youth into radical feminist ideology

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | November 2, 2005 | WorldNetDaily.com

[Diago]

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

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American Girl boycotted
Accused of luring youth into radical feminist ideology

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Posted: November 2, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

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© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

After repeated unheeded warnings, a pro-life group launched a boycott yesterday against the popular doll maker American Girl for its association with a group that promotes abortion rights and lesbianism.

"American Girl has refused to sever ties with pro-abortion Girls Incorporated," said Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, "This leaves us no choice but to call for a boycott of American Girl dolls and accessories for the duration of the 2005 Christmas shopping season."

In August, as WorldNetDaily reported, American Girl launched the "I Can" campaign with Girls Inc., urging girls to take a pledge and purchase a special bracelet.

Scheidler said young girls are being "lured into contact with their radical feminist ideology" through the bracelet offer.

"We are asking people who care about little girls and about the value of human life to refrain from purchasing products and visiting American Girl Place during the entire Christmas shopping season," she said.

"As consumers, we have both the freedom and the responsibility to spending our gift dollars in a manner consistent with our values," Scheidler continued. "There are excellent alternatives to American Girl dolls. We expect that many families will choose to reject American Girl this Christmas."

The American Family Association also has initiated a campaign to warn parents.

After launching its protest last month, Scheidler's group claimed American Girl had begun to de-emphasize its partnership with Girls Inc.

Officially, however, American Girl maintained it had no plans to discontinue its affiliation, and Scheidler said if there was no announcement to sever the relationship by the end of October, her group would call for a national boycott and organize demonstrations at the American Girl Place in Chicago and New York City.

On its website, Girls Inc. says it supports a girl's right to abort an unwanted baby and promotion of contraceptives for girls. The group also offers resources encouraging lesbian and bisexual lifestyles. One publication, "Free your mind: The book for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and their allies," states, "The emergence of a lesbian identity is an ongoing process, rather than an event."

With every purchase of the "I Can" band, 70 cents is given to Girls Inc. in addition to American Girl's contribution of $50,000.

Scheidler called the endorsement of abortion, lesbianism and contraception for young girls a betrayal of the trust American families have place in American Girl."

"It is insidious for American Girl to manipulate girls into supporting Girls, Inc. through the 'I Can' bracelet and its promise," said Scheidler. "Most of the girls buying the bracelets have no idea what Girls, Inc. stands for."

American Girl says its contributions are earmarked for specific academic and athletic programs, but Scheidler calls that "deceptive," because it "simply frees up revenue for their reprehensible programs, such as promoting abortion."

She says, however, the "earmarking ploy does imply there are programs that American Girl is not comfortable with."

Scheidler has encouraged parents, grandparents and other family members to write and call American Girl President Ellen L. Brothers to protest the company's support for Girls Inc.

Previous stories:

American Girl feels heat of protest

American Girl teams with pro-abortion, pro-lesbian group

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[twinzmommy]

LOL thank you!

[Eepsy]

I think what American Girls is doing is reprehensible and totally worthy of boycott, but bringing the Holocaust into the discussion verges on trolling and cheapens the whole discussion.

[Post-Neolithic]

I was making a point that the poster could understand. The point being that we all view certain things as unexceptable for our children to consider as fact. And any company that supports this line of thinking either through monetary or moral support, deserves to be boycotted by the people affected. And in some cases just completely shut down.

[Politicalmom]

Killing another human being is NOT a right, and I don't want my SEVEN YEAR OLD to go to a site I think is safe, and find that kind of crap.

(No, I don't let my kids surf the web.)

[hershey]

American Girl must be nuts. Why not support breast cancer research, for heaven's sake?

[twinzmommy]

Making a point the poster could understand? So, question. Because I'm Jewish, the Holocaust had to be brought up? I'm seriously confused. Or concerned.

I'm an American. Raised in the South. Being Jewish is a part of who I am. It doesn't define me though, or my education. I went to public and private schools (a Christian private school as a matter of fact) so to assume that the Holocaust is something I could understand . . well yeah, I can. But damn. I understand a lot of other things too.

[dmz]

Lesbianism is to Christianity is what Auschwitz is to Jews?!?

Wow.

I think I get your logic, though.

Lesbians = BAD
Nazis = BAD
Therefore, Lesbians = Nazis

Can we call that the disassociative property of mathematics?

[hershey]

Another bothersome thing about American Girl dolls, and Barbie, too, of course, is that they promote just a few examples of what they evidently view as girlhood perfection. Barbie, in particular, drives me nuts. Everyday, all around us we see a kaleidoscope of adorable, beautiful, wonderful kids. I'd rather make a doll for my granddaughter...maybe out of an old plaid skirt, and I'd buy her some good history books.

[Post-Neolithic]

" But damn. I understand a lot of other things too."

But since I do not know you, nor how you think other then what you post, I have to use the knowledge at hand. Just as the Holocaust is considered a blight on humanity by you and others(myself included), so is Abortion and Lesbianism to some people(myself included).

If you walk away from this thread now knowing the disgust you feel for the Holocaust is what some people also feel for Abortion and or Lesbianism, then I have accomplished what I set out to do, if not, well there really isn't much more I can say.

[Post-Neolithic]

You understood my meaning quite well. Reading my other posts might also clear it up for you. If not, well there really isn't a whole heck of a lot I can do.

[austen]

For your information, I am Jewish and I am trained in rabbinic literature. Orthodox Judaism forbids homosexual acts without denigrating homosexual persons. If you are going to get your doctorate, may I respectfully suggest that you need to learn how to read more carefully. I did not compare you to a slaveholder, I copared your non-use of logic to such logic as could be used to justify slaveholding during the time when it was a legal right. If Girls, Inc. was offering an educational resource in its materials, it would include opposing points of view and explain the moral argument at stake. That is the dividing line between propaganda and educational resources.

[ContemptofCourt]

Don't worry...we'll be dropping a couple bucks on American Girl stuff this year as well.

This thread...and this "issue", is for those Freepers that get all up in arms over their own shadow. I'm not really sure where they buy anything from, since they boycott any company that thinks differently than they do.

[austen]

Oh dear -- "copared" should be read as "compared"

[twinzmommy]

I have always understood that. But that was not my point.

I am not for having any more rights that have been granted taken away in this country. The Gov't has been running rampant for way too long and there are way too many things being legislated that should not be. That is where you were missing *my* point. Yes, I understand that some rights that have been granted were later decided to be unethical or morally reprehensible (ie slavery).

I personally don't like abortion, and don't agree with it. But do I want the right to have one taken away? No. If I were raped, would I want access to emergency contraception? If it were your wife, your daughter? Hypothetically, I'm not asking for an answer.

Morality should not be legislated. Neither should religion. Nor should any decision that is medical. Medical situations are personal, intimate, and usually emotionally draining. The doctors, we're lucky we still have anyone willing to practice medicine in this country. Between law and lawyers . . . that's why I am not getting an MD. This is also why their is a field of Biomedical Ethics. Let the medical "industry" manage itself. Politicians who didn't go to medical school, well, *sighs* should they be making broad medical decisions?

I've been a FReeper for going on six years. You could find out more about me. *laughs* And I could do the same about you. I think I will.

Thank you.

[Antoninus]

You have your opinion. Good for you. I think it's at the very best enabling and weak. At worst, you're leading young women into a life of sin and misery.

But hey, we all have to stand before the Almighty some day. Remember what Christ said about those who lead little ones into sin. Something about a millstone...

[GadareneDemoniac]

"... get the government out of my Doctor's office, please?"

I assume your Doctor has to meet licensure standards in your state; if he or she violates the law and loses the license, then what?

Your Doctor has to meet government rules and regulations about narcotics and other addictive drugs, correct?

If you and your Doctor decide to administer lethal drugs to your husband so you and the Doctor can get the insurance money and run off to Tahiti, should the government be involved? How is this different if a woman and her Doctor kill her unwanted baby so she can skip off to new adventures?

[Charles Henrickson]

This thread...and this "issue", is for those Freepers that get all up in arms over their own shadow. I'm not really sure where they buy anything from, since they boycott any company that thinks differently than they do.

Not so. I have never done one of these boycotts before. I think with many of them the connection is tenuous and the impact is minimal. However, when I saw how directly AG was promoting Girls Inc. and how overtly and explicitly Girls Inc. was advocating abortion, homosexuality, and premarital sex, in a political way, I decided this was the right way to go. Here the connection is strong and I think the impact will be significant.

[Antoninus]

This thread...and this "issue", is for those Freepers that get all up in arms over their own shadow. I'm not really sure where they buy anything from, since they boycott any company that thinks differently than they do.

Hey, if you think lesbianism and abortion are good things, then by all means, support it.

However, this being a free country, as one poster said repeatedly above, give those of us who actually give a d@mn about the issues an opportunity to express our contempt, will you?

I have two daughters. They will grow up without ever having any dolls made by American Girl as long as they continue to support the dismembering of children and the leading of young women into a life of misery and sleaze.

[Solson]

You're a farce.

"Gov't out of my doctor's office?"

Let me ask you a personal question because I believe it may be part and parcel of your belief system at play here.....

Are you married?

My bet is 'no.'

[twinzmommy]

14 years doll.

Married at 19 . . still married, quite happily to the same man.