The Kiddy Pool: The Politics of Play

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 at 2:14 pm by Erin Wyble Newcomb

The Kiddy Pool: The Politics of Play 2011-08-22T14:14:00-06:00 Erin Wyble Newcomb

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Every week in The Kiddy Pool, Erin Newcomb confronts one of many issues that parents must deal with related to popular culture.

Where some folks see a cardboard box for the recycling truck, I see an opportunity. Why would I drop hundreds of dollars on play structures when the boxes from a chair and a lawn mower become tunnels and houses and sailboats with a little imagination? Sure, that philosophy explains why I keep finding kidney beans in the living room (I made bean bags; my daughter made “soup” and a bean train). It justifies the hint of glitter that coats the kitchen floor…long story. My kid’s creativity astounds me on a daily basis—and I don’t think she’s unique in that respect. Children simply see the world in different ways, and their fresh perspectives remind us that, really, cows and Dalmatians do look kinda similar.

So while the pundits and psychologists share their own issues about The Breast Milk Baby, I just find the doll dull. The sweet babe comes with a halter top with flowers to symbolize breasts; draw the doll toward the flowers, and the baby makes sucking noises as if it were nursing. You can imagine the controversy—a doll that embodies all the mommy wars stuff about which way is The Only healthy/practical/morally superior way to nourish a child. I’m not interested in those issues here. Children are active purveyors of culture and keen observers; they mimic what they see, be it breast or bottle. I believe dolls can influence children significantly, but I also believe anyone who wants to change the baby-feeding culture of this country can’t rely on The Breast Milk Baby for much help.

I’m guessing that a lot of the kids who get this doll will use it in hilarious and unexpected ways. Maybe a bunch of children will get together and stage a nurse-in with their baby dolls. Maybe they’ll shower the dolls in dried beans and yell “Soup! Yum Yum Yum!” Maybe they’ll just take the dolls’ clothes off. I admit I stole those last two examples from my daughter’s repertoire. Anyone seriously invested in increasing breastfeeding rates in this country should provide education and support for parents, not expensive, didactic dolls that suck the fun out of playing pretend. Dolls are supposed to be about play—not politics.

Asides

General Culture

the kiddy pool

Previous Post

August 22, 2011

Citizenship Confusion: WORLD Magazine's Editorial Cartoons

Next Post

August 23, 2011 Alcohol, John MacArthur, and the Growing Pains of Christian Liberty

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz