Brazil’s lifelike doll craze

[Jazzy1]

SAO PAULO (AP) — Videos featuring emotional moments with hyper-realistic baby dolls have sparked both online fascination and political debate in Brazil, with lawmakers even bringing the lifelike dolls into legislatures.

Do you think these dolls are therapeutic or just plain creepy?

 

[Pinky]

They could be therapeutic, in some circumstances.

 

[MaidMarian]

I bought a doll like that for my daughter when she was little. They called them “ reborn” dolls here in the U S. They were quite expensive but I found one cheap on Ebay. It looked and even felt like a real baby.
My daughter was the envy of all the little girls in the neighborhood. They all wanted to play with her doll.
One if her friends, a very shrewd little girl, convinced my daughter to trade the doll for one of her dolls and my daughter did…and never told me until she was grown.

 

[Jazzy1]

I volunteer at the local nursing home. There is a patient there with dementia. She was nonverbal and would sit in her wheelchair crying. One of the nurses decided to get her a "real doll". The transformation in this woman is nothing short of a miracle. She now talks and sings to her 'baby'. No more crying.

The downside? Gawd help anybody that tries to take her 'baby' away from her.

 

[UpstateGal]

I think this could be helpful for teaching young girls the extreme demands of child care. Also, for pediatric nursing students and as mentioned, helping dementia patients.

Other than for those reasons, for any one else to have 1 of these dolls is somewhat disturbing. I saw the 1 picture in the link provided, and a woman had 2 of those "chuckie dolls", that is definitely disturbing.

@Jazzy1, thank you for being so kind to volunteer at a local nursing home.

 

[Tish]

Nuh, too creepy.

 

[RadishRose]

They could be therapeutic, in some circumstances.

Agree.

 

[Ted01]

I see it both ways... they are totally creepy, to me.
I hope that they can provide some people some therapeutic value, no doubt that they can be.

 

[MaidMarian]

 

[dilettante]

Ugh. A symptom of the decline of the species.

 

[JustDave]

I have nothing to add. It's just interesting.

 

[MaidMarian]

Ugh. A symptom of the decline of the species.

What amazed me while watching the video was that the woman had a REAL baby there with her, waking from her nap, and she gave more attention to the doll than her own child!

 

[VaughanJB]

Remember when having to use your imagination was cool?

 

[January]

They are great for some people with dementia.

Whether we think they are creepy or not is irelevant when they are comforting to residents.

 

[Michael Z]

I volunteer at the local nursing home. There is a patient there with dementia. She was nonverbal and would sit in her wheelchair crying. One of the nurses decided to get her a "real doll". The transformation in this woman is nothing short of a miracle. She now talks and sings to her 'baby'. No more crying.

The downside? Gawd help anybody that tries to take her 'baby' away from her.

I have heard of a similar situation with a doll that was only somewhat real looking.

 

[hollydolly]

I've seen some newborn dolls over the last 20 years or more.. but I don't think I've ever seen a newborn doll quite so realistic as the one in the OP....

 

[MACKTEXAS]

The OP question was: "Do you think these dolls are therapeutic or just plain creepy?"
There are several posts of therapeutic use, but creepy is an individual and personal perception. I find them creepy.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Well damn! Sorry, but that's an ugly "baby". At least they could make them cute! I think it's a bit creepy.

 

[Della]

I'm glad that some dementia patients find them comforting. I would just hope they didn't realize at some point that their "baby" wasn't alive. That would be traumatic for them.

I've seen dementia patients play with ordinary dolls and seem to enjoy it -- even just folding a basket of baby clothes helped sooth one woman.

I would never want one for myself. To me they are creepy.

 

[MrPants]

I'll go with Creepy!
Mind you, I've always kind of had a thing about dolls, puppets and that kind of thing ...

 

[palides2021]

I remember years ago, when they were making lifelike dolls and they became popular, and little girls wanted them, but I have not seen anything as realistic as these. If they are therapeutic to dementia patients, as mentioned by @Jazzy1 , then that is good.

 

[spectratg]

The OP question was: "Do you think these dolls are therapeutic or just plain creepy?"
There are several posts of therapeutic use, but creepy is an individual and personal perception. I find them creepy.

Same!

 

[Naturally]

Those babies might have a future in Hollywood !!!

 

[hollydolly]

Those babies might have a future in Hollywood !!!

they already use these dolls in film and TV

 

[WhatInThe]

they already use these dolls in film and TV

Seen them. Look real carefully next time you view a scene with a baby on more recent movies and tv shows. The fake isn't as aware or curious as a child would be, they move just enough to make people think it's real.