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Tween Dora the Explorer Controversy, Outrage Over Sexed Up Image
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by Tina Kells | March 16, 2009 at 09:31 am
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Dora the Explorer has been a huge success for Nickelodeon and partner toymaker Mattel spawning a spin off series, Go Diego Go and thousands of branded consumer goods, so when the announcement was made of plans to introduce a more grown up Dora to an older audience creators expected applause. Instead they were met with outrage.
Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego are the cartoon hosts of two award winning educational TV shows for toddlers. Created in the late 1990's many of Dora's original fans are now tweens and Mattel and Nickelodeon wanted to create an older version of the beloved character for them.
Outraged parents claim the tween version of Dora has a sexed up image that is not appropriate for its target audience. After years of dealing with Bratz dolls and My Scene Barbies parents of tweens want their 8-12 year old kids to be presented with more age appropriate toys.
To many parents the tween-ing of Dora the Explorer is just not acceptable. The general consensus seems to be that the slightly older version of Dora takes the preschool character from cute little Dora the Explorer to a trampy looking Dora the Streetwalker. Ouch, that's harsh!
Dora the streetwalker. A sexed-up version of a children's icon. A poor example for kids.
Those were just some of the terms tossed around the blogosphere after Mattel released a silhouette of the "new" Dora, whose image was drastically changed from the endearing tomboy look Dora fans grew to love, with her bowl-cut hairdo, T-shirt and red shorts. This new Dora appeared to have long flowing hair, and was wearing what seemed a scanty skirt, emphasizing her long, shapely legs.
"Did Mattel turn Dora the Explorer into a Tramp?" read one headline from The Huffington Post.
But not so fast.
Mattel and Nickelodeon both say there are two major misconceptions about the new Dora, which is not replacing the "Dora the Explorer" cartoon, but will be a new interactive doll aimed at 5- to 8-year-olds.
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at 14:55 on March 16th, 2009
Dora is the coolest character ever. What a great character that can speak two languages, read a map, solve mysteries, and do it all without make-up or a boyfriend!!! ( Although I know she does have a friend who is a boy.) Little girls need an example better than the Brats dolls! We wonder at the pressure on our youth to grow up and be cool but it is not hard to figure out. If Dora has to get "cool" then it just shows me that the pressure to grow up is worse than I thought. And this doll is aimed at ages 5-8??????!!!!!!!! Eight year olds are NOT tweens.
at 15:17 on March 16th, 2009
"This new Dora appeared to have long flowing hair, and was wearing what seemed a scanty skirt, emphasizing her long, shapely legs."
She's wearing leggings with a babydoll top. Honestly, there is nothing "sexed up" about the tween Dora whatsoever. As long as she doesn't abandon her love of outdoor adventure for fashion but learns how to find room for both, then I think she will remain a positive image for young girls to grow up with.
at 07:16 on March 17th, 2009
I'm sorry but this is ridiculous. The new Dora is now into fashion and this changes who she represents. Where is the backpack? Ohhh wait its replaced with materialist bullshit. I bet in her new episodes she'll be ignoring her adventures and will end up on the side of the street hustlin'. This is the reason why I can't have children. WHo knows how they will end up with this kind of society. It's sooo fake. Good thing they didn't change her haircolor to blonde.
at 09:58 on April 1st, 2009
u have the nerve 2 leave a comment about sumthing u know nothing about how do u know bout it with no kidz shut up already proud parent
at 12:38 on April 4th, 2009
Tweens are into fashion! This new Dora is supposed to be like tween girls! She can relate to what they are interested in. Dora is not wearing a miniskirt and a crop top, she is covered up and speaking as someone who is not a blonde, but extremely offended by your comment. Are you saying that you are not ok with this new Dora because she is into fashion but it is ok to not like someone or think that someone isn't smart because of their hair color? I'm glad you don't have children, you would be a terrible parent!
at 00:59 on April 5th, 2009
They are not replacing the new Dora. That is simply not true. Their audience is growing up and they are adding. Read not replacing a very wholesome tween girl who is the older version of Dora, and I think its great! As will every mother who has a tween girl. It will be a great comfort for growing girls to take something positive into middle school with them. It will be a ton better then Barbie or Bratz. Kids do grow up. They do change. They stop needing velcro shoes and will not have huge backpacks in middleschool. Growing up is something to be celebrated. Not hated. Kids do change who they are, yes. But that is good. Staying the same isn't always the answer.
Of corse that doesn't mean that Dora will not be there in exactly the same way as always for YOUNGER kids. I think what Mattel is doing is great! So does my kid.
at 09:17 on March 17th, 2009
You mean to tell me that there are not more important things for these pathetic soccer moms to rant about? Their own daughters are going to be teens soon, and as soon as they have a camera phone and a MySpace, these soccer moms are going to wish for the old days when a grown-up Dora was all they had to worry about. Instead, they are going to watch their daughters get prosecuted for manufacturing and trafficking child porn.
at 11:26 on March 17th, 2009
OMG! Get a freakin life people! Its a cartoon! She isnt a street walker or a hooker! And if you dont want your child to watch it then be a parent and turn the damn TV off! With everything going on in this world right now and you are complaining about a cartoon character! OH PLEASE!
at 06:41 on April 6th, 2009
I agree with you completely. We not only need to be so concerned with this tween Dora but more concerned about how we raise our own children and keeping them safe from the other dangers in the world. I think that this new tween Dora is great! It gives growing girls something to look forward to. And if there is such doubt about this tween Dora then watch it with your child and decide for yourself if this is the right thing for your child to watch and if not turn it off. Every parents should have control of there own t.v. so get it together parents cause its really not a big deal.
at 11:56 on March 17th, 2009
Kudos to Mattel! My little grand daughter,(who is 8) told me she wasn't that interested in Dora any more, she was just 'ok'.There was a time when she was glued to everything Dora.The funny part is , I said wouldn't it be neat if Dora was growing up the same as you?She was very excited thinking about that,fast forward a couple of months and I hear it is happening..good for you Mattel!This little girl looks like what every little girl changes into,taking an interest in her appearance,while still having fun and adventures and starting to slowly change into a teen, then a woman.Thats LIFE!She looks like a sweet yound girl,not a BRATZ.While the soccer moms daughters are relegated to be stranded in a time warp of childishness, little dora is growing up.What better way to ease a young girl into her tween years than with a character they have grown up with who has a good attitude and a love of adventure ?As far as the big head comment,she had a big head when she was a child, what in the world makes you think it would shrink??And seriously,exactly how does that make her sexy??Good grief.
at 15:36 on March 17th, 2009
I asked my 6 year old daughter what she thinks of Dora's new look. My daughter said that she likes the new look because the original Dora's belly is always showing. Hmmmm, kind of sums it up.
at 07:46 on March 18th, 2009
I have an 8, 7, and a 4 year old. All of them are girls!! I think a better idea would have been to have Dora grow up. Not a dramatic change like this. It should have been a slow change. What is she going to be exploring??? What kind of an influence will she have on my kids?? The original Dora taught my kids some spanish how to follow directions now you are changing her appearence. So will the original Dora stay or go ?????
at 15:09 on March 18th, 2009
Isn't it interesting how the outrage starts with a silhouette? Much as a Rorschach test can be used to unleash the deper thoughts of the subject. It paints a pretty clear picture of what the "adults" were thinking when they started this wich hunt. I doubt very highly that any 6 to 10 year old will see the "new" dora as a sex symbol. However, I would cast a suspicious eye an someone who looks at a black and white silhouette of a little girl and instantly thinks of sex.
Then again, thats just my $.02
at 12:01 on March 22nd, 2009
yet again americans are focusing on things that are unimportant to the livelihood of themselves or their children. in a time where our nation is sinking even farther into a depression parents are worried about the way a doll/cartoon looks... for one look at the way kids dress these days, and they don't dress themselves. their parents do. obviously things need to be re-prioritized.
at 15:32 on March 26th, 2009
Want a positive role model for tweens? Check out hipchicas.com an up and coming site for tween girls with smart, age-appropriate themes and body images (and earth friendly green too!)
at 18:37 on March 27th, 2009
i like dora and all but this side of her is really weird. i think that kids that watch this show would't get why they would change her image. . .truthfully, i think they wouldn't care. i just don't like how Dora had to have a drastic change.
at 00:22 on March 28th, 2009
This issue was brought up in my Com Theory class. I don't particularly see a "sexed up" version of the previous Dora. I see a company that ran the numbers and made the changes to keep the character in the minds of the viewers as they grew up, instead of abandoning it for something else. There has been lots of debate over how this is a natural change and not sexual in any way. Well... as hard as it is to admit technically growing up is sexually maturing, but with that small side not out of the way I dont really think its so important here.
The media we consume ultimately affect us in all aspects of our lives. It doesn't necessarily happen over night, but it does happen. As far as Dora is concerned I don't think it has crossed the threshold of being a bad thing. From what I understand she'll still being doing roughly the same things she was doing in her previous appearance. With that being said I'm sure we can all welcome the sense of diversity and life lessons Dora offers.
I'm pretty indifferent about the whole thing. I don't have a child either, although I think some openminded-ness is necessary. In the world of advertisment sex sells, always has always will. I find that parents will use any form of scapegoat they can when it comes to what their child has done (not all for those bearing pitch forks at the moment).
This is all just my opinion and most likely doesn't merit much. I just thought I'd throw my in my two cents. Well that and the fact that no matter how much of a necessity it may be to analyze these things its worth a chuckle to see people analyzing a cartoon. For it or against it.
at 10:45 on June 3rd, 2009
ok wtf? there is nothing sexy about the new dora at all i dont understand what the big fuss is about. people are just freakin out about nothing like one user said it's just a doll neway who cares? and if u dont want ur child to watch it then block the stupid show. but honestly see nothing wrong with this at all
at 14:59 on August 19th, 2009
Dora is fine PPL! shes growing up with her viewers and is more grown up! thats it!