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The Gwen Thompson doll
Gwen Thompson is a blond grade schooler, wearing a pretty sundress and summery flip-flops.
She’s also homeless. And a doll. A $95 US doll whose fictional background as an American Girl character aimed at 8-year-olds has drawn some criticism over the propriety of marketing homelessness to children for profit.
“For $95 — more than your average homeless person would dream of spending on a rather mediocre baby substitute — Gwen Thompson can be yours. A mixed message if ever there was one,” wrote Andrea Peyser in a Sept. 24 column that launched the debate over the doll’s merits.
But advocates for the homeless aren’t so quick to condemn American Girl, saying raising awareness for an issue that affects people of all ages is positive.
“On that count, this kind of doll would do that,’’ said Carol Howes, director of program services for Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest youth shelter.
She’s also homeless. And a doll. A $95 US doll whose fictional background as an American Girl character aimed at 8-year-olds has drawn some criticism over the propriety of marketing homelessness to children for profit.
“For $95 — more than your average homeless person would dream of spending on a rather mediocre baby substitute — Gwen Thompson can be yours. A mixed message if ever there was one,” wrote Andrea Peyser in a Sept. 24 column that launched the debate over the doll’s merits.
But advocates for the homeless aren’t so quick to condemn American Girl, saying raising awareness for an issue that affects people of all ages is positive.
“On that count, this kind of doll would do that,’’ said Carol Howes, director of program services for Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest youth shelter.
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