In Defense of American Girl

In my eleven years as a parent, I have yet to see a brand cause as much divisiveness among peers (moms, not kids) as American Girl. From what I've observed, the differing opinions mothers hold regarding American Girl exceeds that of Disney, Barbie and Bratz combined. That said, let's identify the common complaints about American Girl - and address how a mother who stands by this brand can defend her position.

Complaint #1: "I don't get what the big deal is."

Answer: Then clearly, my dear, you are not paying attention. American Girl has sold 123 million books since 1986, and the brand ranks among the top 15 children's book publishers in the United States. The number of American Girl dolls that have been sold since 1986 is around 14 million, and the monthly catalogue ranks among the top 25 consumer catalogues in the nation. (Source: http://www.americangirl.com/corp/corporate.php?section=about&id=6).

Sales statistics aside, girls who read American Girl books typically have a superior grasp on specific periods in history to that of their peers. Each character lives in an era that is vital to a child's American history knowledge bank: pre-colonial America, the Revolution, the Civil War, and the Great Depression, just to name a few. The heroine characters of each book are girls who live in the period (yes, one is African-American), and terminology that is true to the culture of the era is used throughout the dialogue. Short of time traveling, what better way for girls to learn about these key components of the American experience?

Complaint #2: "The dolls are sooooo expensive."

Answer: How much was the Wii/PlayStation/Xbox (I think I've made my point) that you didn't hesitate to buy your kids last year?

Complaint #3: "Moms who embrace American Girl are status-clinging, elitist snobs who don't think twice about the impact of the consumerist entitlement girls are absorbing when they walk into an American Girl store."

Answer: My daughters didn't set foot in an American Girl Place store for the first several years of owning the brand's books (and no, not because there wasn't one in our state. We waited until a special birthday, which is what I'm guessing other middle class moms who embrace this brand also do.) In fact, my girls did not receive their own American Girl dolls until the following Christmas. (If you are of a similar mindset, you can present your own anecdote of wise consumerism.) It's important to acknowledge that yes, a visit to your nearest American Girl Place may result in a few run-ins with women who resemble the various "Real Housewives" casts, and they will likely be accompanied by girls who are their mini-doppelgangers; however, you are also likely to encounter smart, economically conscious moms who firmly instruct their daughters to choose and calculate their purchases within a reasonable, pre-determined budget (sometimes with money the girl has earned herself).

If the above arguments merely render a sneer from the opposition - well, who cares? You don't agree with all her parenting choices either, right? You just choose to keep the opinion to yourself - like a good American Girl does.