Are We Raising Our Daughters To Be Bimbos?
There’s a new online
game in town, and it isn’t pretty. The
virtual fashion game, called “Miss Bimbo,” is aimed at girls between the
ages of 7 and 17. The game’s Web site explains that players compete against one
another to become the “hottest, coolest, most fabulous bimbo in the whole
world.” But according to the male web
designer who created it, the game actually teaches girls how to take care of
their bimbos. That’s a hard sell, especially when players are encouraged to get
plastic surgery and diet pills for their bimbos. Of course becoming the most
fabulous bimbo in the world isn’t cheap; that’s why successful players seek out
wealthy virtual boyfriends.
Unsurprisingly, many
parents, like member mrst_plus_nute,
are outraged: “UGH! I hate garbage like this! As if there isn't
enough pressure on women to conform to an already unattainable social image.
How are young women ever going to learn to be functioning, contributing members
of society if their lives are dedicated to trying to reach some imaginary image
of perfection?”
Member countrygoddess2008 is also upset and believes the stereotypes perpetuated by the game contribute to the explosion of eating disorders among girls and young women: “This is the exact reason that women develop eating disorders … I’m hoping to raise my kids to realize that as long as you are healthy it doesn't matter what size you are. Our society is vain.”
Some moms are
just plain fed up with what feels like a constant assault on their daughters’
sense of physical and emotional self. Member hex06 writes: “This makes me want to move my daughter to a private
island and not let her leave until she is 30!!”
But parents of
girls aren’t the only ones upset. Member winter810
is also concerned about her son: “I also fear for my son's mental
health. Because of the Bratz dolls, this dumb Bimbo game and many other
contributing factors he'll grow up to believe that that's what a woman should
be.”
What do you think? Would you let your daughter play this game? Share your opinion, and let us know how you feel.
--Victoria Loustalot, Associate Real Time Producer
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I took a quick gander at the site as I'm busy writing my own blog....and I'm quite disgusted. I'm not alarmed as I'm all too familiar with female stereotypes as I'm in show business already but for goodness sake...however, between network TV and cable, the images of women being pumped into our young daughter's brains on a daily basis are very negative: hyper sexualized; mercenary; dumb; and generally labotomized.
Down with the partiarcy! Teach our children to not be afraid of being themselves. Tell little girls that they don't need to conform to please men. We are all God's creations.
While it may be true that the game is completely ironic, does anyone think that the 7 year old girls the game is aimed at understand and appreciate irony? Or will they just see bimbos being glorified and start to wish they were Paris Hilton? Especially if they have a crush on any member of Good Charlotte...
Older girls may definitely appreciate the irony, but that won't necessarily stop it affecting them.
And I'm beginning to think that no, feminism never did happen.
This game is disturbing in more ways than one but what is really disturbing is that people are buying this for their kids.
Just went on the website to check this thing out and couldn't register. I wanted to check out the game, but couldn't. Then I found this message on the site.
Due to unforseen worldwide interest in Miss Bimbo we have had difficulty in maintaining our game in the manner players have become accustomed. We are sorry for this inconvenience and can assure you that our game will be up and running as soon as possible.
As a result of this rather surprising media attention we have decided to remove the option of purchasing diet pills from the game. We apologise to any players whom this may inconvenience but we feel in light of this weeks proceedings it is the correct action to take.
We would also like to sincerely apologise to our players for the media comparison of Miss Bimbo and Paris Hilton. We feel that this does a dis-service to the players whom send their bimbos to university, tea parties or chess tournaments.
At this time we would also like to remind players that the Miss Bimbo team assume no responsibility or liability for any fashion faux pas, hair style disasters or boob jobs incurred in real life as as a result of playing the Miss Bimbo game.
Wow, and we all thought neopets was irritating.
I'm sorry but women look around you, nobody is perfect. Money, Media and publicity (Bad or Good) make our celebrities. I dont agree with this "bimbo" Site..and why would a little girl be proud to BE or "take care of" a "bimbo"?? Isnt a Bimbo like an idiot who knows nothing (via paris hilton or britney spears?) like wow...incredible how SMALL THE MALE MIND IS FIGURES IT WAS MADE BY A PIG MAN!
Good grief!
Thank God I have a son...but if I did have a daughter this game would not be on our play list! I have far to much respect for myself to even allow this kind or garbage into my home.
Women really need to stand up against this kind of nonsense and not allow men to make money off us in such a detrimental way.
Its really sad.
I really don't understand all the Bimbo calling on Paris, what has she done, A video, with her then boyfriend, he was the one who turned it to the media, she had trust between them, we all have something private with our husbands,She shouldn't be judged for what someone else does, I think she has also had fewer boyfriends than most celebs.
I think the game reflects what we are teaching our children as a society. Butt crack fashion, thirteen year olds with ho-tag tattoos, words on the butts of shorts and pants.
Just awful! A friend emailed me about this the other day. How degrading! We want to raise strong, empowering young ladies who can be confident in who they are on the inside. Not a site I want to promote at all. As a matter of fact. i will not be blogging about it on my blogs, or it will just bring them more hits. I say boycott spreading the word about it. Just as awful as the Taco Bell promotion!
I think it is crazy and would not let my little girl play that game. I think it sends the wrong message to young girls which could stick with them forever, they may grow up thinking they are never good enough. Leave the parenting and guidance to parents. I say block that sight if you have young girls.
Sure.. block it if you want to but teach your daughters what is right and what is wrong and take responsibility for your parenting. If it is humorous, make sure they see the satire and how rediculous "Bimbos" is and how dumb choices make a dumb girl. My 14 yo daughter is armed with enough sense of humor to handle this with laughter if she stumbled onto it. However, it should have a higher age limit than 7yo?
We teach our girls how it is so important to be cheerleader, instead of in the band or musical arts and to be dancers instead of scholars. Some of us are doomed to raise a bimbo anyway.