I have been asking myself, what is mainstream? The Merriam-Webster definition of mainstream is: A prevailing current or direction of activity or influence. The buyers are right. The Go! Go! Sports Girls do not fit into the current mainstream world of dolls, like Barbie, Bratz, Monster High and Disney Princess dolls. I am okay with this! The Go! Go! Sports Girls are not dressed in short skirts, high heels, and makeup. They resemble little girls and are age appropriate. This current mainstream of dolls needs to change and change is never made by mainstream ideas.

Cross your fingers and wish me luck. The “non-mainstream” Go! Go! Sports Girls are here to challenge all the “mainstream” dolls at Toy Fair 2012. Our girls deserve it!

After thinking about the two statements, I realized that sometimes it is easy to point out the negatives.  The negatives are usually LOUD and stir emotions.  While I feel it is important to point out, become aware, and make others aware of the negatives, it is also important to point out the positives, the possible solutions to the negatives.  If we constantly talk about the negatives and not the positives, we give the negatives more and more attention.  Similar to a child only receiving attention for bad behavior.  The bad behavior continues.

In the spirit of being positive, I have listed some of my favorite positive, solution offering websites.  Please share with me some of your favorite, positive websites.  Together we can all make a difference!

www.pigtailpals.com

http://www.girlsinc.org/index.html

http://www.girlsontherun.org/

http://playonwords.com/blog/

http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/

http://www.girl360.net/

http://mrunslikeagirl.blogspot.com/

http://www.discoverygirls.com/

http://www.girlscouts.org/forgirls/

http://blog.superhealthykids.com/

http://loridayconsulting.com/wordpress/

Today I read two interesting articles on Title IX.  The first by Cynthia Kounaris in the Huffington Post  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cynthia-kounaris/womens-world-cup-title-ix_b_901073.html.  She writes, “Today, girls can play sports and it is normal! It is accepted by other girls, by boys, by parents, by men. And what a wonderful way for girls to connect with their dads. It is no longer “odd” or “tomboy” behavior. It is just ordinary. And that is huge.”  The second article is by Tara Parker -Pope in the NY Times http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/as-girls-become-women-sports-pay-dividends/.  She looks at separate studies from two economists, providing the strongest evidence yet that team sports can result in lifelong improvements to educational, work and health prospects.  Both article are worth reading!

With the 40th anniversary of Title IX approaching, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more studies, articles, and documentaries on this federal education law that opened the door for girls to participate in high school and college athletics.  Go! Go! Sports Girls!

The Go! Go! Sports Girls have been mentioned in two recent “Barbie” articles – “Barbie Be-Gone” by Mina Samuels http://mrunslikeagirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/barbie-be-gone.html and in Monday’s NY Times by Lisa Belkin, “Banning Barbie” http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/banning-barbie/.  Both articles speak of the ill-proportions of Barbie and the possible effects on young girls.  While I believe Barbie is just one influence among many, a young college student at Hamilton College sums it all up.  Galia Slayen built a life-size Barbie  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/galia-slayen/the-scary-reality-of-a-re_b_845239.html. If Barbie were “real” she would stand 6 feet in height, with a 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hips.  Galia’s point….”(this) is not healthy and is not normal.”  Smart girl!

That being said, when designing the Go! Go! Sports Girls, I made sure the proportions of the dolls were correct to those of a young girl.  I did this by measuring my then 10 year old daughter and all her friends.  There wasn’t a girl under the age of 11 who entered my house who could escape my measuring tape!  Interestingly, I have received a few comments that the legs of the dolls seem a little short compared to other dolls on the market.  My answer: Because they are correctly proportioned!

I love that the Go! Go! Sports Girls have been named as a healthy alternative doll to Barbie.  While she is one tough chick, and she has been around for a long time, I think she will be seeing more of the Go! Go! Sports Girls!

For four years I coached “Girls on the Run” www.girlsontherun.org, in which my daughter participated.  It is an amazing program which teaches girls confidence through running.  I saw the program change the lives of not only the young girls participating, but mine too.  The girls learned how to work as a team, encourage one another, and do their best.  At the end of each 12 week program, all the girls and coaches run a 5K.  I have amazing memories from all 4 races – meeting “Girls on the Run” founder, Molly Barker, and seeing her overcome with joy and tears at the number of girls she had touched in just the Chicago area, crossing the finish line while holding hands with my daughter, running with a determined little girl who told me I could not stop for a bathroom break (Ha!), and another little girl who had struggled with running, crossed the finish line, smiled and turned to me and said “Now I know I can do anything”. I still get the chills when thinking about these powerful moments.

My second experience wasn’t as uplifting.  When my daughter was 9 years old, she and I were shopping for a doll for her.  She was so excited, but I stood in the doll isle looking at all the dolls in disbelief.  Many of the dolls I saw sent an inappropriate message: grow up fast, wear short skirts, and put on makeup.  I picked up one doll that had eye makeup, a cropped top and jacket, short skirt, high heels, a belly button ring and I read her name.  It was “Lovely Lola”.  No joke!  My daughter asked me if this was a doll for girls her age.  Hmmm, good question!  I actually bought the doll, explaining to the check out person that the doll was not for my daughter and it was the worst doll I had ever seen, but I had show my husband.  I was so frustrated and angry, that with the support of my husband and kids, I decided to do something about it by creating my own doll which would send a positive and healthy message while encouraging girls to embrace and enjoy their true age.

The dolls have now been on the market for two years.  It has been an amazing and interesting journey.  I realize I have taken on a big battle, but I am willing to fight hard.  Every child should have the opportunity to “Dream Big and Go For It!