Cabbage patch dolls and adoption?

Question

This might sound like a stupid question, but I was just wondering if cabbage patch dolls and the whole adoption certificate thing is upsetting to adoptive kids or their parents. Because you buy the doll and then you're supposed to "adopt" it, just wondering if anyone else thought of that also.

Answer 1

I find them especially tacky now that I'm a birthmother.  The cabbage patch dolls are just one more way we as society are hard selling adoption as win win.  The odd thing is that I try to write why I feel this way, I remember that they are just a stupid doll and get dismissive of why I'm irritated.

Editting to add my reasons anyway:

These dolls are supposed to be representative of American adoption and they completely disregard any biological history or family these dolls should have had if they are reflective of the children in real life being adopted.  Also the doll is super happy and grateful to be adopted.  The doll has absolutely no reflection of adoption loss that is always a factor in real life adoption.  And the fact that this is buying a baby is pretty darn tacky too.

Answer 2

I always thought it was a cute idea.

Answer 3

No, I really never thought of that and I don't see any real reasoning behind it.

You pick the doll you want (like in adoption) and you bring them home (like in adoption) and you sign the adoption certificate (like in adoption) and the baby is yours to love and hold (again, like in adoption).

I think if anything, it makes it look TOO SIMPLE, but it is CUTE!!!!  I would have given ANYTHING to have been able to "adopt" a doll when I was a kid, but we couldn't affor cabbage patch doll and now my little girl has two!  A baby boy and a newborn girl and she pushes them around in a stroller (that goes to her Chou Chou doll that she doesn't play with) together and loves on her babies and she is only two.

Also she is not adopted and neither was I but I have NEVER heard of any complaints about the cabbage patch doll.

Answer 4

As an adoptive mom, the Cabbage Patch dolls or any other doll that came with adoption papers never really bothered me.  But I do remember a while back reading an article about a toy store (I think it was FAO Schwarz in NYC) that put in an adoption nursery to adopt a certain line of dolls.  It was supposedly set up like a hospital ward, where you went in and picked out the child you wanted, and the employees were dressed as nurses to assist you to pick out the child.  That I felt was a bit over-board.  Simply because that isn't how adoption is in the US.  I was worried that it would give a negative impact to children about adoption.  

But to answer your question, I never viewed the Cabbage Patch Dolls as a "negative" thing.

Answer 5

As an adoptee, I found the concept revolting and offensive. Also, it perpetuates the 'chosen' theory, of adoption. The chosen theory sounds really nice on the surface, but when you dig deeper the unspoken fear is, if I was 'chosen', I can be un-chosen too.

Answer 6

not upseting the children take care of them.

Answer 7

A few years back they started making handy capped dolls, and I am still old enough to remember when the black and hispanic Barbie's were added to the line.  Adults always find a way to make an issue out of what is simply a childs toy.  Usually children feel more normal and OK about themselves when dolls share their traits.  The fact the dolls exist is good but how each child feels about wanting one is a different issue.

They won't make the connection that you  "bought" and adopted the doll as a child unless an adult around them has.  Children don't have the capacity to make those kinds of comparisons and assessments.  Their thinking is simpler and more one dimensional, but they do absorb allot from their environment.  If they already have a negative view of what ever it is that makes them different, I would think they would hate a doll that shares that trait.  

Should the doll exist?  I believe overwhelmingly yes.  Should you buy it for your child?  Why not buy it?  Even if they hate the fact that the doll is "ADOPTED" what is bad about allowing children  (or even adults)  to externalize negative emotions about something that is an issue in their lives.  

On the other hand if you're the one that has issues with it maybe you shouldn't by the doll for your child until and unless you have dealt with your own issues.  Why share your own negativity with your child?  If you want to voice your feeling's about adoption share them with adults who have the capacity to think for themselves while your not around your child, adopted or not.  

Adopties have enough handicaps without them being directly impacted by the negativity of the adults around them.

JMHO

Shannon B

Answer 8

Personally, I don't care for the word "adoption" as it applies to dolls, streets, families at Christmas, or puppies from the shelter.  When I was younger, I would voice my objections pretty loudly.  But it does not bother my son (who came home through adoption) at all.

Answer 9

i never really tought about that. I always tought it was a pretty neat idea, it gives the doll a ltitle bit more significance to the child

Answer 10

no im adopted and it never offended me in anyway,i used to love cabbage dolls!!now im 27 ...kinda outgrew it.

Answer 11

My adopted daughter had a Cabbage Patch doll when she was little, and she LOVED the whole adoption certificate idea!   She got the doll from her aunt on her birthday, and was still too young to understand the concept of "buying" it.  So I guess that it really depends on the child, and the age/stage they are at.  A child of 3 or 4 years old would probably enjoy this kind of thing very much.