Should an 8-year-old boy be given a Barbie doll for Christmas, if that is what he REALLY wants?

Boy alot of crazy answers out there.

Toys are for all children, its society and grownups who try to stereotype them.

My daughter was the opposite, she did not want dolls she did even like dresses. People told me I should do this or get her that, all things for girls. I listen to myself and got my child what was good for her.

Now 16 years later she is not gay, she is not strange, she is loved by all and the others think now I did a good job.

So you do what is right for your child, you know him best. And should he become gay like some of the idiots wrote, beleave me it has nothing to do with dolls.

Good luck

If he wants Barbie. This is an opportunity to teach him how to respect and treat females. Give him a GI Joe to go with the Barbie. Teach him that though the male doll is bigger that he has no right to abuse her. Does he like rough play, getting his hands dirty through playing in sand or in dirt like at a playground? If not, then get him to experience those activities which will cultivate his masculinirty. Teach him that Barbie is only a toy and not a real woman constantly in a loving rather than judgemental or angry way. This will seperate for him reality from fantasy. After changing Barbies clothes for awhile, he will under4stand why it takes females more time to get ready than guys.

Well, I have really thought about this.... I am an avid Barbie collector and I do have a friend that is male that collects Barbies, but he is a little strange. I have two girls and I have tried to force them to play with Barbie since they were 2 with no luck. They are teenagers now and have never even played with Barbie. I did not have a son ... but if I did and he wanted a Barbie, I would probably get it for him and just not tell anyone. I don't know why I would be ashamed of that, but it just does not sound normal... but then what is NORMAL... this is a very tough question and I'm glad I did not have to make that decision. I know my husband would definitely say no to buying him a Barbie... what does your son's father think?

Frankly, No,

Although he may be a bit more phenomenon than other boys his age Therefore explaining his want for a Barbie Doll, That's not a bad thing phenomenon men can grow up very normally and live successful lives just like any other man, But a behavioral instinct that would make him want a barbie doll, is not something you should encourage. It could lead to more male development issues later down the road.

Tip: Its an article I read in Providence Magazine at my doctors office last week, It dealt with the same issue except a little boy wanted a girls toy ( in general ) Doctors and Physicists alike don't encourage it, and furthermore ask you to strengthen the child's understanding of fundamental male instincts and overtime allow the child to understand why it is that he shouldn't want a item that isn't meant for him.

Hope this helps

Merry Christmas

-GarySomers

What is the difference in a Barbie Doll and a GI Joe Action Figure, or WWF Wrestling Action Figures? They are all dolls but apparently no stigma is attached if the little boy plays with GI Joe or Hulk Hogan "action dolls". They are all a phase. He will become bored with playing with a Barbie doll just as he would if playing with an "action doll". Let him have the doll if he really wants it, but also get him an action figure doll that he can observe and play with also to assist in completing his identity search.

I know a few people will just advise no, and say something like that is how it starts, or no, not if your trying to make him gay! The truth is he is who he is regardless. I am not gay but all my friends are. Some as young boys would love to play with barbies and some of my gay friend would confess that they in no way wanted to or ever had an urge to play with dolls. At this point I believe that it is simply out of curiosity that he fancies a doll. Let him have one he may be interested in the clothes or simply in his mind wanting to know what a naked female looks like. Some time boys curiosity starts at a very early age. Like I said he is who he is regardless. Hope this helps.......

Wow, most little boys are over dolls by age 8. I didn't even want my girls to have Barbies, but when the two of them requested Barbie I got them Barbie. Get him the Barbie he wants. You aren't going to change his wants by denying him the doll.

I once had a man ask me why I was allowing my 4 year old son to play with barbies...his young son was there playing with a GI Joe. I looked at him and said "I don't know about you, but I like knowing that when my son is undressing a doll, it's a female doll."

I see nothing wrong with a boy playing with barbies. He's going to like what he likes. My son is now 6 and has outgrown that phase. He prefers trucks and cars to anything.

Sure! Get him a Barbie Doll! There's nothing wrong with it! And if he wants to dress up in fairy princess dresses with full makeup and nail polish, there's nothing wrong with that, either!

I hope you sense my sarcasm.

Exception: If he wants the Barbie doll to play with as G.I. Joe's or Hulk Hogan's Girlfriend. Then that makes it okay.

Nope. Buy him a barbie that is cool - that other kids wouldn't beat him up over [we have to be slightly realistic here] and then also something gender neutral - like cool mega blocks. God my 7 year old daughter wanted Bratz girls for Christmas, and you'd be bloody sure I got her other things too - including ultra cool marble/magnet track sets, and a glow in the dark full universe for her ceiling