A big tip o' the tam today to Good Day Philadelphia on this one:
Nickelodeon has released this image of Tween Dora to soothe the fears of parents like me, who were worried our beloved Latina explorer girl was being sexed up too much. The fears were based, in part, on the unfortunate silhouette the network released, which was supposed to keep the mystery alive until the toy's launch later this year, but instead made Boots' best friend look like something on the back of a mudflap.
So OK, she doesn't look sexy per se, but I'm still unhappy about the message this whole situation sends to little girls. Little-girl Dora is smart, courageous, ambitious, focused on teaching kids about problem-solving. Tween Dora's most important feature seems to be that you can plug her into the computer and change her eye color and jewelry. Oh, and take her shopping!
Yet another reminder to our girls that it's great to be smart and clever when you're a kid, but "growing up" means forgetting all that and becoming just another Barbie.
I'm still hoping for the best from this -- after all, it's important our girls know it's OK to be smart and pretty, and that life isn't all about following Maps and watching out for Swiper. But I am not confident.
PREVIOUSLY: 'Tween Dora: All She Needs Is A Mudflap
