American Girl Boycott?

[mcknute]

Hi everyone - I haven't posted here in a while, but when I saw this article I wondered what everyone's opinion would be. Apparantly, some people are threatening a boycott because proceeds from the 'I Can' wristband help support Girls Inc. - and Girls Inc. has some controversial advocacy positions. This quote from the article explains:

EDIT: I guess we're not supposed to hash out political topics on here, so I won't go into detail. Kiddies, ask your parents if you want to find out more. Anyways, the article also specifies that bracelet sale money does NOT go to any controversial programs, it only goes towards three specific Girls Inc. programs (developing girls' math/science, leadership, and athletic skills/team spirit).

My opinion is that none of the money from the bracelets are going towards anything controversial, and I don't think it's a big deal if AG supports Girls Inc. on other projects. Then again, I agree with the controversial position anyways, so I don't have much to get upset about [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img] What do you think?

- Mollie

EDIT: Looks like someone else posted about this article just before I did. I think it is an good topic worth discussing, though.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ October 14, 2005 06:53 PM: Message edited by: sdstudent ]</font>

[AmericanGirlLover2982]

This post was deaded last night for reason moderrators here I would like you take a look at this post please and see if its appiraite, if not please either delete or lock it.

[MissMooMoo]

Bottom line is, there is no sense in a company or organization for kids to take positions on controversial political issues. It can only hurt them.

Other than that, I would not throw the baby out with the bath water, as they say.

At least it's not like the money comes from doll sales. It's the I Can Bands, so you can choose to buy one or not.

[cami713]

Are there any Mods on? Why oh why are these posts still here?! The others were deleted quite promptly.

Should there be a locked sticky about this? With the subject "Stop bringing up topics about Girls, Inc. and the I Can bracelets!!"

I'm getting bored of new topics about this. But I do understand that if you didn't see one of the first topics, you might not know that this has already been discussed here. As I already said, the others got deleted very fast, and I'm sure there have been a number of people who weren't on to see them.

I agree with MissMooMoo, if you don't like the organization, just don't buy the bloody bracelets. It's pretty easy to stay away from, and make sure none of YOUR money goes to the organization.

[floovis]

I have only posted once a million years ago, I'm kind of socially phobic (I'm sorry [img]frown.gif[/img] ), and I won't post my full on opinion, but I wanted to add that I agree with you guys here. The whole baby/bathwater issue. Anyone is free to just not buy the bracelet.

I don't think people are thinking out a full on boycott of AG. It seems more complicated than it has to be for a point to be made, imo. My thinking is that the consequences really won't be about the company, it'll be about the girls. It's mid October, we're in Christmas buying time here. Can you imagine how many innocent, uninvolved little girls who have no part of this issue will be waking up on Christmas morning, Ag-less and completely heartbroken because their parents couldn't separate out the issue? [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

edit for spelling

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ October 14, 2005 07:59 PM: Message edited by: HollyD ]</font>

[cami713]

Holly, I agree with you 100%! I'm sending a few emails towards AG at the moment, and that's my main point.

This isn't an issue for little girls to worry about. The parents are getting all huffy about something, and their daughters are going to be the ones who lose out on something. This is simply a political issue, NONE of this has anything to do with the little girls who are going to be affected by a Boycott. I think that's terrible parenting, putting your daughters in the middle of something that shouldn't affect them for another 10 years. This is why children are innocent for so few years; issues like these being presented to them when they're so young, too young to form their own opinions, and far too young to fully understand.

American Girl is just doing what they DO: helping girls. Whether it's done through a group that also participates in things you disagree in, American Girl isn't doing anything wrong. Helping and pleasing girls has always been their main focus, and this "partnership" with Girls, Inc. is just another example.

[Grapedy1982]

And on the other hand, Cami, those who DO choose to boycott and let AG know of their displeasure aren't doing anything wrong either. It's all up to the individual and nobody is in a position to judge anyone else over what they choose to do in this particular instance. Not being from the conservative background, I don't think you can truly grasp where some of these parents are coming from. I am from that background and will raise my future children the same way I was raised, and I have formed my own opinions that happen to line up with my parents and <u>I</u> have problems with organizations like Girls, Inc.

I'm not going to boycott AG even though I find the whole premise of Girls, Inc to be nauseating. I'm just not going to buy the bracelets plain and simple. I will however most likely let them know of my displeasure at their choice to align with this particular organization since I'm a member of their "hidden" demographic, ie a conservative homeschooler. There are other organizations they can choose with the same programs that are far less controversial and it would behoove AG in the future to check these things out in full before they announce a partnership, even when on a limited basis like this one.

And if you're tired of the posts on the subject, just don't read them! There's no board rule that says you must read every thread that gets started.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ October 14, 2005 08:57 PM: Message edited by: Grapedy1982 ]</font>

[rachie421]

Ummm, since Ive been away for a bit, what is so controversial about girls athletic stuff and math/science skills? Maybe Im missing something here. Will someone please PM about what is so controversial about that as apparantly posts of have been deleted on this thread. [img]confused.gif[/img]

Sorry, anything to do with politics gets my attention,not to mention the little fighting feminist that I am...to me the org sounds like a good thing [img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img]

Edit by Joy: We are simply not going to discuss this issue on this message board. Anyone who wants to know what the issue is about should ask their parents or guardians. Please respect this restriction and avoid bringing this issue up again any more.