Dora explores new territory
Wild controversy erupts around potentital image change
Kyla Perry
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features
Wandering down the toy aisles, assaulted on all sides by violent pink and blue packaging, this writer has to ask a very pertinent question.
What is the essential difference between Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer?
Until last month, the answer might have been: not much. Bob, a character in a children's show aired by PBS, is all about conflict resolution, problem solving, co-operation and learning. When problems come along, Bob asks, "Can we fix it?" ("Yes, we can!" echo Bob's co-stars and Obama supporters alike.) Cheerful, round faced Bob takes on life armed with his hard hat and his construction-equipment friends. He's evocative of everything little-boy - building things, playing in the dirt, Erector sets and Lincoln Logs, blocks and pulleys and all that outdoor stuff.
Then there's Dora, a bright, backpack-wearing girl who, every episode, goes on a journey to explore, to find, or to help someone or something with the help of Map. Dora is bilingual, believes in giving everybody the benefit of the doubt, plays soccer and baseball, spends most of her time outdoors and has a monkey as a best friend. Her catchphrase is simple: "Let's go!" So what would grown-up Bob and Dora be like?
It's easy to imagine a grown-up Bob with those same ears and a bigger hard hat, maybe with a degree in engineering or architecture. Bob is a doer. It's easy to project that he always will be. An older Bob is yet to arrive on the scene, but he couldn't be that different, right?
Don't be too quick to say the same for Dora. Last month, Nickelodeon piloted a new, tween version of the backpacking Explorer, and the differences have many parents protesting. Dora's new look is certainly puberty appropriate: waist length black hair, sparkling Bratz-wide eyes, a necklace and earrings above a fuchsia knee-length tunic with a bow and a flowered border, purple calf-length leggings and pink ballet slippers.
One can't help but wonder how she intends to go exploring in those shoes, but that's probably why she's just going under the name of Dora - no more explorer. According to an article published on HispanicBusiness.com, Dora "is moving out of the jungle and into the city, where she will be exploring her new urban empire, her new middle school--yes Dora has aged--and perhaps puberty."
What is the essential difference between Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer?
Until last month, the answer might have been: not much. Bob, a character in a children's show aired by PBS, is all about conflict resolution, problem solving, co-operation and learning. When problems come along, Bob asks, "Can we fix it?" ("Yes, we can!" echo Bob's co-stars and Obama supporters alike.) Cheerful, round faced Bob takes on life armed with his hard hat and his construction-equipment friends. He's evocative of everything little-boy - building things, playing in the dirt, Erector sets and Lincoln Logs, blocks and pulleys and all that outdoor stuff.
Then there's Dora, a bright, backpack-wearing girl who, every episode, goes on a journey to explore, to find, or to help someone or something with the help of Map. Dora is bilingual, believes in giving everybody the benefit of the doubt, plays soccer and baseball, spends most of her time outdoors and has a monkey as a best friend. Her catchphrase is simple: "Let's go!" So what would grown-up Bob and Dora be like?
It's easy to imagine a grown-up Bob with those same ears and a bigger hard hat, maybe with a degree in engineering or architecture. Bob is a doer. It's easy to project that he always will be. An older Bob is yet to arrive on the scene, but he couldn't be that different, right?
Don't be too quick to say the same for Dora. Last month, Nickelodeon piloted a new, tween version of the backpacking Explorer, and the differences have many parents protesting. Dora's new look is certainly puberty appropriate: waist length black hair, sparkling Bratz-wide eyes, a necklace and earrings above a fuchsia knee-length tunic with a bow and a flowered border, purple calf-length leggings and pink ballet slippers.
One can't help but wonder how she intends to go exploring in those shoes, but that's probably why she's just going under the name of Dora - no more explorer. According to an article published on HispanicBusiness.com, Dora "is moving out of the jungle and into the city, where she will be exploring her new urban empire, her new middle school--yes Dora has aged--and perhaps puberty."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Chris G.
posted 5/01/09 @ 11:26 AM CST
Well, the fact of the matter is that research on gender development seems to firmly indicate that most little girls will gravitate towards playing with what are considered traditionally female toys. (Continued…)
San Antonio Movers
posted 5/28/09 @ 3:20 PM CST
You guys have a very interesting discussion going here. I am a bit conflicted myself. On the one hand, Chris is right about gender development and all that, but on the other hand part of the gender development process is affected strongly by the marketing of these products in the first place. (Continued…)
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