Moral of the “Miss Bimbo” story: We’ve got a lot of work to do
Thanks to all those who thought of Parents for Ethical Marketing when you heard about Miss Bimbo. For those of you who haven’t been introduced to the online game, you can get a great overview at Hoyden About Town.
Miss Bimbo is, to say the least, horrifying.
All the recent press about Miss Bimbo has led to some pretty sad online discussions — and has made me realize we have so far to go to educate parents and the public about what’s healthy kids.
Some of the comments I’ve read online, which are pretty representative of prevailing attitudes:
Brilliant! By making their website over-the-top ridiculous, they are teaching girls that the behavior required by the game is ridiculous. They are clearly poking fun at “bimbo” behavior, not encouraging it. (via)
Nice theory, but the website really isn’t over-the-top ridiculous. Not when four-year-olds play with Bratz dolls. Not when ten-year-olds wear thong underwear. Not with the amount of money parents and young girls spend on clothing.
I am going to go against the tide here and say that I could see a lot of older girls, in their early to mid-teens, who would play this ironically and for fun. The kinds of girls who hate Paris Hilton and her ilk, and loved watching her go to jail, and there are a lot of those girls. They are the silent majority. At least in my world, they are. (via)
A game based on hating other girls and targeting them for ridicule? Not so noble. And not a trait I’d like to instill in my kids.
Parents who don’t want thier kids to participate in this can do thier job as parents and not let the kid go to the site. Sadly, parents don’t want to take responsibility to raise thier children. (via)
and
Of course its terrible . But people should try being parents instead of blaming web sites or wanting the Gov. or other bodies to raise their children for them,And Yes I sucessfully raised 3 Girls (via)
A child who visits the site does not necessarily have parents who don’t take responsibility. Ever heard of a friend’s house? Or the library?
And it still amazes me that people think vocal parents are bad parents. Doesn’t it make more sense that someone who speaks out about problems in their children’s world is a good parent?
But you know, I’ve never seen an ad for Miss Bimbo. There are no Miss Bimbo dolls. Or Miss Bimbo stickers, or movies, or fruit snacks. No one’s promoting the Miss Bimbo website in schools. There are no Miss Bimbo coloring books. And no Miss Bimbo theme parks.
Guess there are lots of bimbos to worry about.
Related: Watchdog investigates website that lures girls with plastic surgery and diet