The (American Girl) Doll Company Receives Criticism About Its New Book "Body Image"

The American Girl doll company is under criticism for their book "Body Image," from their Smart Girl's Guide series. Their website reportedly has hundreds of negative reviews about the messages promoted in the book. While some parents agree with the content and consider American Doll to be supportive of newfound ideology about gender, several parents disagree with the messages.

Many parents have taken issue with the book's encouragement of kids to use hormone blockers and how the company explains gender identity. Some comments express disagreement with how "Body Image" says gender is assigned at birth. The book states, "When a baby is born, a doctor looks at the baby's body parts to assign its sex-whether the baby is female or male. Most kids grow up feeling comfortable in the sex the doctor assigned. This kind of person is cisgender."

The book also refers children to doctors for medicine if they question their gender identity; it states, "if you haven't gone through puberty yet, the doctor might offer medicine to delay your body's changes." Some parents also feel "Body Image" encourages children to go outside their parent or guardian to make choices regarding their gender; the book states, "If you don't have an adult you trust, there are organizations across the country that can help you."

American Girl's parent company is Mattel toys. They have yet to comment on the criticism.