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 2 of 2)
16. 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.
xxx
Do they have a model that dangles by its foot from the trunk? Also do they come in horrible birth defects?
Clif Kuplen at 6:47PM on Jul 21st 2008
17. I sense some potential for tasteless practical jokes with these things.
bob at 6:50PM on Jul 21st 2008
18. I think they are a bit odd, but ban them? NO. This smacks of censorship. Everyone has a right to look like a fool if they choose. I'd rather have "bad art" and ugly dolls than to have censorship.
web jones at 8:49PM on Jul 21st 2008
19. LOL. A good excuse for breaking into cars. Just throw one of these in the back seat and you're covered!
Uncla Al at 9:05PM on Jul 21st 2008
20. Wow! I just read the reborning process page. Kinda twisted really.
Uncla Al at 9:07PM on Jul 21st 2008
21. Look into their eyes as "Uncanny Valley" descends into a bottomless abyss...
Mokele Mbembe at 10:34AM on Jul 22nd 2008
22. It is a shame that people who know nothing about a subject are free to post derogatory comments about it. Not everyone cares for Shakespear or Picasso. I personally find nothing intresting in modern art and find most of it disturbing. I however do not go around trashing it and making unfounded ignorant comments about it. The percentage of people who purchase these dolls for grief reasons is in the low 5 % range. If even that. The amount of people that purchase them for their collections is why they are created. No one found it disturbing when Hellen Keller had a doll collection. Or Teddy Rosevelt had a bear collection. Yes these dolls are lifelike, and artist create them for that reason. Just like a master sculpter creates a statue Reborn Artist also create beautiful works of arts. If you choose not to have one in your home that is your right, I choose not to have modern Art in my home that is my right. I however don't have a right to ask for a ban on modern art because I do not like it. I don't actually like this writers writing but I am not asking for a ban on it either. Who is doing more harm her by spreading ignorance or a reborn artist by spreading joy?
Debra Jadick at 5:58PM on Jul 27th 2008
23. I feel sorry for those that have to depend on these "dolls" due to tragedy. But the truth is, they are way too life like! It's like staring into the eyes of a dead infant! Not something I would want to ever imagine doing! Again, I am sorry for tragic losses, and I wish nothing but the best for those who have lost their children at such a young age, but it's hard to believe these dolls have the ability to help someone through the greiving process. If anything, I would think it would it make it harder on them.
As for banning them, I don't think that's it necessary, I think there should be strict rules about leaving them in vehicles in plain sight. It is a frightening thought that someone left their infant in a locked car. If it happens, I think the person responsible for the "baby" should be fined for the amount of the police officers' time while trying to "rescue" the doll!
Kimberly at 1:27AM on Aug 7th 2008