I feel I can’t move on to Valentine’s photos and stories until I briefly share my thoughts on American Girl’s decision to ship dolls with permanent underwear that is a part of the torso fabric.
The true reason for this decision has yet to surface… cost savings? Plans to expand in the Arab world? modesty when Logan releases with his boxer shorts? Royalties on the existing body design? I hope these sneaky changes aren’t to get out of some of the obligations that originated with the sale of Pleasant Company to Mattel, such as the Madison Children’s Museum (Charitable) Benefit Sale.
First and foremost, this brand has a history of supporting the cognitive development of girls through creative play. The “perma panties” send a subtle message that being a girl is shameful. Do you swim with your underwear on? Julie’s bathroom is about to be released at a cost of $175.00 and she is supposed to shower with underwear on?!
Young children are going to want those underwear off, and I predict some ripped dolls.
I encourage you to view this photo story from our friend Flo. We urge American Girl not to limit the way girls play. JUST SAY NO TO PERMA-PANTIES!!
The Dolls Between Us 
Hear Hear! Way to go Julie for joining in on the protest! This whole thing is completely ridiculous and I hope AG sees the error of their recent thinking. Not holding my breath though.
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We’re about 1 more bad decision away from a “March on Middleton”!
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My daughter Maggie and I agree! Seems like a dumb decision and we have yet to see any positive reactions to it. There is no good reason for it! Don’t like it!
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Good to hear from you as always Cindi and Maggie. I am wondering how far off this change and whether it will affect Tenney.
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Hopefully AG will wake up and realize their customers are not happy. I think it may take them a lot to wake up because right now, they don’t care about their customers at all.
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Honesty would just be so much better. If its financials, be honest.
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I’ll pick you up at the train station for any needed March on Middleton!
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Oooh, that sounds like fun!! We can have a double march- the humans and the dolls!
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Very disappointing move on the part of Mattel. Wish the dolls were still owned by The Pleasant Company 😔
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Me too! There are companies like Via E (check them out on Facebook) that are doing dolls for girls with customers in mind.
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Me 3! I’m so appalled about this move on AG’s part; sooo stupid! I called them today to see if Tenney & Logan were yet for sale at my Scottsdale store (a 100+mile trip for me) and she said they would not be for sale until Thursday, the 16th. I know Maryellen debuted there about a week earlier than she was supposed to. I then inquired whether they’d already have the perma-undies and she said her understanding is that they will — HUGE disappointment and I wanted Logan so badly! 😦 I asked her to please pass on my adamant objection to the powers that be but doubt it will go anywhere.
FYI, I did write my blog award post, but then my computer crashed. Next we met up with my niece who was in town for a conference, had dinner and shared a lovely dessert on Tuesday evening and by Thursday morning we were both felled by the flu! I haven’t been this ill in probably 10 years and only today have a bit of strength returning. Everything tastes like sawdust and between the seriously sore throat and tight, deep cough, I’ve not slept much in days – ugh! I need to see who I can pass an award to, but I will try to get it done soon! 🙂
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been so sick! Rest up and take care and only blog if it blesses you. We all have enough obligations!
All I can say is if Tenney has permapanties I sure hope Logan’s not the one who gets removable underwear! 😡😤
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Keep the protest moving where it hurts…keep your wallet shut! Let Mattel know why.
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Yep! Mine only opens now for Etsy and Ebay sellers. They can’t afford to lose too many people who are regular customers. I read the report for the last quarter and they have next to no wiggle room.
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That is such a beautiful Pink little doll hat on Julie!
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Yep, it’s her underwear. Julie looks good even when she is protesting.
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Oh, my gosh! That’s her underwear!? I didn’t even realize it! What a great idea!! I wonder if my Kanani and Lea will be making underwear headwear plans… Thanks for the inspiration.
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If you had Julie you would recognize her groovy butterfly underwear 😉. I look forward to whatever Kanani and Lea try next!
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Here’s an interview with Katy Dickson:
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/executive-qa/bringing-american-girl-into-more-american-girls-lives/article_e93804f6-0810-5fcf-91e1-caae100dad8d.html
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Excerpted from Heather’s link above regarding AG: . . Signing the first contract with a distributor in the Middle East. Shopping mall developer Majid Al Futtaim said, in a news release in December announcing the agreement, that he plans to open the first store in United Arab Emirates in 2017.
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Way to go Julie. The other day I remembered a great post from someone earlier this year and one of the dolls had panties on her head as a hat. I wish I could remember who and I’d repost.
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A woman or girl before her time!
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Jen, have you seen the new pictures of someone who got a real permapanty doll? It looks like it’s wearing a poopy diaper!! There is a big visible droop on the doll’s butt. AND if that’s not bad, the vinyl is so squishy, the arms can be squeezed together. Unbelievable.
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I saw that this morning … and here is a follow up Permapanty Nonsense, Cont Permapanty Nonsense, Cont.
http://themouselair.com/2017/02/13/permapanty-nonsense-cont/
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Thanks! I’m going to follow the blog.
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