Re: [ozmidwifery] Pregnant "barbie" picture

[Aviva Sheb'a]

Pinky, you have your work cut out for you! I'd say, tape the interview yourself, from your side of the phone. If they edit it (or is it live?) to make you sound like you're saying something else, make it public. Here's my view of what I saw on the web site: "Customers said they were not happy with the pregnant Midge doll so Wal-Mart removed the entire happy Family set," spokeswoman Melissa Berryhill said. Happy families? Wanna bet it's the Happy American Family syndrome people who complained about having Happy Families portrayed. To think, America wants the world to be like them. <snort> 'Pregnancy-themed' dolls The pregnant version of Midge wears a pink skirt, a tiny wedding ring and a detachable stomach with a curled-up baby inside. stomach???? stomach?? Since when do women gestate babies in their stomachs? No wonder I had such heartburn! And to think, I thought we did in utero! I'm so higgorant! As for the wedding ring, oh, don't get me started on equal opportunity etc. for those many who don't believe in, or who haven't the privilege (?) of, the wedding ring. Oh, the children I've shocked when they've asked why I don't wear a wedding ring and I've told them I've never been married...they ask how I could possibly have children if I'm not married! I tell them yes, you can have children without being married. I shudder to think what their parents tell them. The doll - which says "Mommy loves her new baby" - comes with a cradle and other baby gear. Snorting, Aviva ----- Original Message ----- From: Julie Garratt To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 10:30 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Pregnant "barbie" picture Hi,Me again;) I've found a picture and some info on Midge, worth a look if your interested. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2608867.stm It is suggested in this story that "Midge can help parents discuss pregnancy without having to have graphic descriptions of the reproductive process". Midge also has a "tiny wedding ring" I think this is a real hoot!  Pinky your definitely going to have fun with this one, keep us posted. Julie'',   ----- Original Message ----- From: Pinky McKay To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 7:25 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Pregnant "barbie" Hi ladies, Midge- Barbies best friend -is pregnant(Barbie is the paediatrician) -arriving in toyshops in the next week. Now are you sitting down -I have been asked by Mattel's PR company to give some quotes/ do some interviews re kids and pregnancy/ birth etc.   After a discussion with Andrea and lots of thought plus making certain I am not expected to endorse the doll although the media may misconstrue my words -I am going to be doing quite a bit of talking about birth and children. I am doing a live interview on 3ak monday at 12 .15pm. I am taking an array of props - Hello Baby by Jenni Overend and In Union -by Vicki Chan and Nic Edmonstone. I want to take this opportunity to turn the crap into a positive - to tell women that how they portray birth to their daughters can convey awe of the female body (dear Midge needs some serious help - perhaps atexta to add nipples for starters!)   The fact is, this doll is going to be out there anyway and people will be buying her -she looks lovely with her dress on even though her whole belly is attached with a magnet so comes completely off (ridiculous!!I agree - my son immediately tipped her upside down to see how the baby would come out! - poor darling doesnt have a vagina - a teachable moment!!) - I think we can use this launch as a trigger for lots of dscussion about birth and pregnancy - feel free to be there when the phone lines open and write letters to the editor etc - there are people who think this doll is TOO REALISTIC!!! -That is why she was pulled from the shelves at Walmart in the US.One WA journalist actually wrote that surely it is ok for 5 year olds to believe babies come via the stork -ie arent we corrupting kids innocence -I think there will be some great debate.   What next ??- I have been waiting for a pear shaped Barbie for years!! Would she be a collectors item? Pinky    ---   Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.449 / Virus Database: 251 - Release Date: 27/01/03