Reborn baby dolls have been in the news a lot this week. Police broke into a car in Australia to get to one they thought was a passed out real baby in the backseat. Then, presumably to redeem their reputation as police-time-wasters, all this comes out about them being used for "cuddle therapy" for parents who have lost a child and for Alzheimer's patients.
Maybe the solution to the problem of cops breaking into windows to get them is to do what was done with too-realistic toy guns: paint them less lifelike colors?
If anyone wants to use them as cuddle therapy, DO NOT GO to the "reborning process" page. This image is just a glimpse at the Grimm's fairytale that awaits you.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1.
Yes, ban them, along with all the 'born again' folks !
mac at 10:25AM on Jul 21st 2008
2. why ban something that allows someone to make a recovery especially if it is not hurting anyone. in the long run the doll is doing more good than bad.
denise at 6:11PM on Jul 21st 2008
3. Amen, mac-
They're just as CREEPY as the "born-agains".
Robert at 12:05PM on Jul 21st 2008
4. Eeugh, they're so creepy. It really makes me worry when adults buy them ,how sad they feel they need to buy an inanimate object to fill the emotional hole!
Laura at 12:18PM on Jul 21st 2008
5. And as usual, the brilliant comments of the supposed, rational, logical atheists. Care to elaborate on just exactly one thing has to do with the other?
Trish at 12:38PM on Jul 21st 2008
6. banning toys? i don't know how well that one is gonna work out. esp in light of the fact that many hand held weapons now come in many different colors. so, cops will still be breaking into cars til the fad dies down. i just wish they'd learn to "shoot to hurt" and not "shoot to kill" when they see someone with a weapon that looks too real. it's easier to explain to everyone that the criminal was a color loving fool, esp when he can vouch for it b/c he's alive!
Devynn at 1:34PM on Jul 21st 2008
7. NO, they shouldn't be banned. They are part of a long tradition of "Art" dolls and are truly a beautiful sculpt. I personally wouldn't reach for one for emotional distress reasons, but a collector might really make one of these the centerpiece of their collection...
And NO, you don't ban a piece of good art for being "too" good. That's just silly...
Lionruby at 1:36PM on Jul 21st 2008
8.
Trish....do you know no humor?
Any fool can see 'reborn' and 'born again similarities...it's a play on the words.
Who ever said I was rational or logical?
Brilliant, Yes ;-) Rational, not often (another joke, HA!)
mac at 1:38PM on Jul 21st 2008
9. Abort them as unwanted
Robert OKane at 1:39PM on Jul 21st 2008
10. I am a Reborn Artist www.jansbundleofjoy.com
It is a fairly new art form sought by collectors who are attracted to the artist's authentic capture of the essence of the newborn baby in both look and feel.
Purchasing one of these dolls carries with it a responsibility because collectors are very much aware that these dolls look like real babies. Collectors are therefore responsible for the consequences of leaving them in a parked car or other such situations. Police should give a nice bill to the owner of the doll, for their time and trouble if they have to "rescue" one from a car. In addition neglect charges would not apply since no living thing was put in danger but perhaps a disturbing the peace violation should be issued to the owner of the doll for the crowd that gathers to see the poor "baby" rescued from the car.
Reborn dolls are for those who love dolls and appreciate the skill and talent of the artists who create them. Hobbies and collections of all sorts are not for the general public but have their own following and community gathering of those who appreciate and enjoy them.
Jan at 1:43PM on Jul 21st 2008
11. wow those babies are all hideous! Why is their skin so blotchy, both my sons had perfect skin when they were born and so do a lot of other newborns. So why not make beautiful babies? The whole idea is freakish anyway.
kati at 2:18PM on Jul 21st 2008
12. Wha...?
Why is this even a topic of interest for anyone?
Dawn at 2:25PM on Jul 21st 2008
13. HAH HAH HAH - more proof to PT Barnum's axiom.
Another minute, another sucker.
T.Brough at 3:47PM on Jul 21st 2008
14. These dolls are very realistic except for the strange red blotches on their skin.
VS at 4:29PM on Jul 21st 2008
15. just so you know most babies are born with red skin when they just come out. SOME people say their baby(s) came out with perfect skin but I dout that us even possible that they don't have a SINGLE BLOT OF RED and it is only from BEING IN ONE OF THEIR MOM'S STOMACH!! Not a single baby has come out without A SINGLE RED SPOT or something like that.
Nicole at 4:27PM on Jul 24th 2008