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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[tutstar]

bump

[twinzmommy]

Okay so now I'm back :)

Thank you first for your kindness. hehe

You hit another thing for me -- Girl Scouts. My girls are in a scout troop that is part of a homeschooling group that is primarily Christian based.

With Girl Scouts, and now I think with American Girls, it's about what you put into it as a parent. The AG stories are amazing. Girl Scouts, well, we don't use the Studio2B materials in our program. *shrugs* You don't have to as a scout leader. No two troops are the same just as no two families are.

The thing is, look at the audience to which Girls Inc is focuses. It's not my white suburban kids with two parents at home. It's the inner city kids who aren't getting anything from anyone.

There has to be another solution than just boycotting a group, or a company. Another poster mentioned encouraging AG to encourage Girls Inc to add other messages to the repertoire. Messages about marraige and the like.

You catch more flies with honey . . .

Oh and btw, today I have been both thoroughly furious and thoroughly impressed with the FReepers I have chatted with. I looked, it's been 5.5 years since I found this place (at the Second Amendment Sisters counter rally), and for the most part I enjoy the debate.

I see your point about the liberal, leftist message. At the same time though, the girls they are focusing on are getting the message from those around them (in the cities) that they are worthless creatures. . stupid, ugly, whatever. A bit of empowerment for these girls might get us another Condi Rice. Give the kids some credit to be able to sort out truth from fiction, and believe in themselves. The girls they are focusing on NEED that kind of encouragement. They need something more than they are getting from their communities right now. Is there a solution? I don't know. But something has to give.

Way too many perfectly intelligent people, male and female, are being left in the inner cities to flounder.

This year is the 15th year of my life to have been a registered Girl Scout. I have yet to meet anyone in the organization (in the two states I've been involved) that promotes homosexuality. Our troop talks about the stars, their pets, camping, music, dancing, make up. . . little girl things. That's what mine did growing up too. The materials on drugs and other controversial things are resources, not requirements.

Anyhow, thanks again, we're doing lunch right now, so I may be around a bit more.

[Campion]

I am not for having any more rights that have been granted taken away in this country.

What kind of conservative talks about "rights that have been granted"? Who does this "granting" of rights? The only rights anyone has were not "granted" them by any human agency; they are given by God and you have them by virtue of being a human being.

Morality should not be legislated.

BZZT! Classic, bogus, liberal codephrase. Every law ever passed "legislates morality". Laws against theft legislate the morality of property owners against that of thieves. Laws against rape legislate the morality of potential rape victims against that of rapists. Laws against speeding legislate the morality of other motorists and pedestrians against that of speeders.

The "morality should not be legislated" line really means "I believe certain behaviors, usually involving sex, should not be prohibited by law". Fine, then make your case for that, but don't hide behind meaningless platitudes like "morality should not be legislated."

[twinzmommy]

*ponders* tweens and pre-teens? What are you considering young? Our AG group in our homeschooling group (a little thing we have at Barnes and Noble) has I think a range of 7-13.

And what specifically in AG is promoting any of those things? Unless a child is told about the association they aren't going to have a clue.

Sorry, just thought of that point. My girls have NO idea that any of this controversy is going on. They play with their dolls and do their history.

[RJL]

Worst case, if you disagree with it as a right stay away from the org.

This is exactly what we are trying to do, keep our young girls away from this “org” and make others aware of what they’re doing so they can also keep their young girls away as well.

I would rather learn about it, and be able to explain things to my children with a neutral opinion, and give them my opinion as well.

Again, this is exactly what we are trying to do. We want to explain these things to our young girls, not have an “org” advocating abortion and lesbianism bypass the parents and lobby for these things to our young girls.

[Jim Noble]

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?

Not if you do it in the bedroom, as I understand Griswold. It has something to do with Constitutional emanations, or emissions, or something.

This is exactly why I always do my taxes in the bedroom.

[Antoninus]

A bit of empowerment for these girls might get us another Condi Rice. Give the kids some credit to be able to sort out truth from fiction, and believe in themselves. The girls they are focusing on NEED that kind of encouragement.

Since when does "empowerment" equal promoting abortion, pre-marital sex, and lesbianism? That, after all, is really what this debate is about. Abortion, pre-marital sex, and lesbianism has done a huge amount of psychological, physical, and spiritual, damage to women. Wouldn't you agree?

[Diago]

An alternative doll maker issued this statement:

http://www.alifeoffaith.com/AFA-AG.htm

 

Our Response to the American Girl/Girls Inc. Issue

Mission City Press has received many, many calls from parents who are very upset about the discovery that American Girl, through its "I Can" campaign for girls, has partnered with Girls Inc., an organization which supports abortion and lesbianism.

We too were horrified and deeply disappointed at this news. American Girl is a household name and a company we have respected. Because the American Girl brand is one that conservative parents have trusted as wholesome and safe for their daughters, parents are legitimately concerned about this discovery. They have the right and responsibility to let American Girl and Mattel, its parent company, know how they feel.

What is going on here is a battle for the hearts of children. Our company treasures the hearts of girls. We want girls to love God and His Word because that's the only sure compass there is in this world. A Life of Faith resources aid girls in getting to know God, growing closer to Him, and applying His principles in their everyday lives. We provide role models that help girls imagine and experience a lifestyle of faith.

We offer a complete line of resources—historical fiction books, dolls and accessories, study aides, an extensive web site with free content designed to help girls grow in faith, as well as A Life of Faith Girls Clubs, where girls together meet in person to encourage one another and share their journey of faith.  

A Life of Faith resources are designed to support parents and Christian educators who want to instill faith and Biblical values into the hearts of young girls. We at Mission City Press believe that God is the answer to the issues and problems young people today face. Our passion is to mentor and disciple girls in their faith, to help keep them “younger” longer, and to help them develop a life of faith of their own, so they will be able to stand strong against the winds of our secular culture. We teach an "I Can" message of our own:

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13*

The following are a few news releases on the American Girl issue
by some leading Christian organizations (there are many others):

Traditional Values Coalition
Pro-Life Action League
American Family Association
Baptist Press
Culture Digest, Baptist Press
Focus on the Family
Agape Press

Check with these organizations directly for more information.

To go back to the A Life of Faith Home Page, click here.

 

* The Amplified Bible restates Phil. 4:13 this way:

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.

I am ready for anything and equal to anything

through Him Who infuses inner strength into me;

I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim Noble]

t I am NOT for taking away rights as they exist in this country

Yeah, the Emancipation Proclamation was a real bummer, wasn't it?

[twinzmommy]

This isn't the thread to make my case for that.

Rights that have been granted. . . women having the right to vote? *starts looking at the Constitution* Wouldn't the amendments basically be rights that have been granted? There are different kinds of rights, and different issues of morality and ethics.

Anyhow -- no this isn't the thread to make any kind of case for sexual rights or morality rights. But if you look back there are threads about swing clubs and any other number of issues about sexuality that are far more appropriate places to discuss those issues.

So fine, I'll stop calling it morality. I'll just start saying . . . whatever people do in private shouldn't be legislated? Better? Not. It stills comes down to Consenting Adults. Polygamy - fine but not with a 12 year old -- although then that could be a state's rights issue, no? What age does each state call their age of consent?

Everyone has their kink. Think of that next time you're at a conservative event. Take a look around. You never know where those people spend their private time. It just happens that most conservatives involved in alternate lifestyles are a bit more discreet about their actions than most liberals.

Like I said though, this really isn't the thread for this. I have plenty of other resources, statistics and information if you are interested, but privately, please. Or on another thread.

There is no easy answer. But the answer is NOT to add more crap to the books. More laws, on top of more laws that make no sense. It's just not the answer.

[twinzmommy]

Why on earth does this keep coming back to slavery.

Rights as they exist right now.

*boggles*

[Katya]

I find this campaign patently ridiculous. Here you have a company that actually created dolls that look like little girls instead of hookers and the religious right pounces on them because they have donate support to a girls group.
Oh right, the girls group like many girls groups may also be offering information to the girls that abortion is legal,a and that well..lesbians exist. Well, I hate to break it to you...abortion is legal. General Motors also supports this group....are you going to boycott them too?
BTW, I've been to girls inc web page, clicked on some links and found I didnt' have the time to dig for the page with the abortion/lesbian stuff. It must be very secondary to what they're actually doing.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Own stock in the company, do ya'?

[Diago]

BTW, you may have read that a priest in Wisconsin cancelled a planned fundraiser involving American Girl dolls. But this parish has not yet cancelled its show:


http://www.licatholic.org/diocese/locals.htm

Long Island school and educational programs calendar



An American Girl Fashion Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6 at 11 a.m. and at 4 p.m. in Our Lady of Hope School, Middle Village, Queens. The show is co-sponsored by Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Lindenhurst, and Our Lady of Hope School. The show will feature both historical and contemporary fashions. Proceeds will benefit the two schools. For tickets and information call Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parents Association, 631-884-2960.


Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Lindenhurst 210 South Wellwood Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY 11757-4989

Rectory Telephone Number: 631-226-7725

Rectory Fax Number: 631-225-9597

Pastor: Rev. Monsignor Daniel S. Hamilton

[It's me]

I couldn't afford these for my girls and was plannning on getting them for my grand daughters.

Not anymore.
Never ever.
Even if they disassociate themselves from the radical feminists.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Why on earth does this keep coming back to slavery.

Maybe it has something to do with the state-sanctioned deprivation of the most basic, fundamental human right there is.

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

Your Jewish, and you celebrate Christmas. That just strikes me as odd. Also, you are not Pro-Life, you just don't care. It is like saying I personnally would'nt kill someone, but I will defend someone elses right to kill thier child.

[BlessedBeGod]

First -- yes I am pro-Life, but I am NOT for taking away rights as they exist in this country. The statement on the Girls Inc site didn't lead me to believe that they were pro-abortion, but rather supporting the law as it stands now. There is a difference.

Just because something's legal, doesn't make it morally right.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

If your god is the state, it certainly does.

[trisham]

Since when does "empowerment" equal promoting abortion, pre-marital sex, and lesbianism? That, after all, is really what this debate is about. Abortion, pre-marital sex, and lesbianism has done a huge amount of psychological, physical, and spiritual, damage to women. Wouldn't you agree?

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Yes. I would most certainly agree. Excellent post.