Why This Extremely Expensive Doll Is So Controversial
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
Parasiteve
my one friend got one and thats when i wanted one and i some how got a catalogue, maybe it was an old one my friend had but i wanted one sooo bad but after looking at the cost of it all i was like oh nvm lol. the doll itself was 400$ then each accessory set was like 100$ each clothing set was 50$. as an adult im like they did this not because it was quality products, they did it because of the pink tax BS maybe all of it together was gunna be 400$, ya know the doll, a playset and a clothing set. no child just wants the doll by itself which again is how they get you!
i feel like everything for women is always more expensive, even girl toys and american girl is proof if you ask me. i just dont understand why it all had to be sooo expensive if it wasn't a whole scam thing lol.
my thing was i just wanted the dolls to play with them, like, i didn't read their stories really other than the descriptions of who they were and what time period they came from. i just wanted to play with them and their playsets they had.
oh also i think i was 11 or 12 at the time so this was around 2000-2001. i know the company passed hands atleast once, idk when but we all know when that happens shit changes so lol. idk if i was into it before or AFTER big changes.
i remember the black doll addie from slave times lol, maybe im remembering wrong but i dont think i am maybe she was the one in the 1920s i remember one being in the 30s or 40s. i think one was felicity i only really remember addie because she was the only black one so it stuck out more to me. i think the doll i wanted was like the one from a rich southern home in the 1800s i liked her play sets the most lol. then again i wanted all the dolls sets cuz they were so much better than the shit we got for barbies. they were a rich girls toy though thats for sure and as a kid i was middle class so i could have maybe gotten the doll alone for x mas then maybe a playset for my birthday months later. but i sure as shit wasn't getting a doll and a playset together
edit: IT WAS KIRSTEN! THAT WAS THE ONE I WANTED! also rebecca once she came out. i think i HATED kitt though lmao
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my one friend got one and thats when i wanted one and i some how got a catalogue, maybe it was an old one my friend had but i wanted one sooo bad but after looking at the cost of it all i was like oh nvm lol. the doll itself was 400$ then each accessory set was like 100$ each clothing set was 50$. as an adult im like they did this not because it was quality products, they did it because of the pink tax BS maybe all of it together was gunna be 400$, ya know the doll, a playset and a clothing set. no child just wants the doll by itself which again is how they get you!
i feel like everything for women is always more expensive, even girl toys and american girl is proof if you ask me. i just dont understand why it all had to be sooo expensive if it wasn't a whole scam thing lol.
my thing was i just wanted the dolls to play with them, like, i didn't read their stories really other than the descriptions of who they were and what time period they came from. i just wanted to play with them and their playsets they had.
oh also i think i was 11 or 12 at the time so this was around 2000-2001. i know the company passed hands atleast once, idk when but we all know when that happens shit changes so lol. idk if i was into it before or AFTER big changes.
i remember the black doll addie from slave times lol, maybe im remembering wrong but i dont think i am maybe she was the one in the 1920s i remember one being in the 30s or 40s. i think one was felicity i only really remember addie because she was the only black one so it stuck out more to me. i think the doll i wanted was like the one from a rich southern home in the 1800s i liked her play sets the most lol. then again i wanted all the dolls sets cuz they were so much better than the shit we got for barbies. they were a rich girls toy though thats for sure and as a kid i was middle class so i could have maybe gotten the doll alone for x mas then maybe a playset for my birthday months later. but i sure as shit wasn't getting a doll and a playset together
edit: IT WAS KIRSTEN! THAT WAS THE ONE I WANTED! also rebecca once she came out. i think i HATED kitt though lmao
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TrobertABQ
I live in New Mexico and have Josefina’s entire collection. I also have taken a college class on New Mexico history.
Josefina is Hispanic (as described in the Pleasant Company catalogs, which includes being of Spanish descent. She is a pure blood Spaniard. Based on the hierarchical system created by the Spaniards, her family’s affluence and social status identifies them as a Spaniards.
Her grandfather brought Josefina’s aunt along with multiple ox carts of trade goods to Santa Fe from Mexico City up the El Camino Real as per Spanish rule to only trade within their territory. The family also had servants.
By Josefina Saves the Day the Santa Fe Trail had opened trade to American territory because the territory once ruled by Spain shifted to Mexico’s rule (1821. The territory shifted to the United States in 1848. The Americans were the immigrants.
The living history museum used to study her life is El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. It is 15 miles south of Santa Fe.
Mattel did not create Josefina. They have quietly overlooked her history in order for Hispanic, Latina, Chicano people, etc to accept her and buy her. Josefina was never a low income immigrant other than her European heritage being from Spain instead of England or Ireland.
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I live in New Mexico and have Josefina’s entire collection. I also have taken a college class on New Mexico history.
Josefina is Hispanic (as described in the Pleasant Company catalogs, which includes being of Spanish descent. She is a pure blood Spaniard. Based on the hierarchical system created by the Spaniards, her family’s affluence and social status identifies them as a Spaniards.
Her grandfather brought Josefina’s aunt along with multiple ox carts of trade goods to Santa Fe from Mexico City up the El Camino Real as per Spanish rule to only trade within their territory. The family also had servants.
By Josefina Saves the Day the Santa Fe Trail had opened trade to American territory because the territory once ruled by Spain shifted to Mexico’s rule (1821. The territory shifted to the United States in 1848. The Americans were the immigrants.
The living history museum used to study her life is El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. It is 15 miles south of Santa Fe.
Mattel did not create Josefina. They have quietly overlooked her history in order for Hispanic, Latina, Chicano people, etc to accept her and buy her. Josefina was never a low income immigrant other than her European heritage being from Spain instead of England or Ireland.
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bh3003
I turned 40 this year too. I was very, very fortunate and had Molly, Samantha, the custom doll and tons of accessories for all of them and of course the books. My grandmother introduced me to AG. We shared a love for history and reading (I still do, but sadly she passed away in March 2025. Because of that, AG holds a very special place in my heart. Whenever that catalog came in the mail, she knew she was in trouble LOL. Again, I was very, very fortunate and she could afford to buy AG and I was always extremely grateful. Even as little kid, I understood they were expensive and not regular dolls. I played with them, but I took extra care of everything and made sure every little item went back to its place and the clothes were put back onto its little doll hanger. They would probably be in pristine condition today if I still had them. My mother assumed I didn't want them anymore because I was older and no longer lived at home, so she donated everything. I hope they brought as much joy to other children (or maybe other adults) as they brought me.
I have to add that I HATE the changes they've made to their bodies. They're dolls and looked perfectly doll-shaped before. It's so unnecessary.
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I turned 40 this year too. I was very, very fortunate and had Molly, Samantha, the custom doll and tons of accessories for all of them and of course the books. My grandmother introduced me to AG. We shared a love for history and reading (I still do, but sadly she passed away in March 2025. Because of that, AG holds a very special place in my heart. Whenever that catalog came in the mail, she knew she was in trouble LOL. Again, I was very, very fortunate and she could afford to buy AG and I was always extremely grateful. Even as little kid, I understood they were expensive and not regular dolls. I played with them, but I took extra care of everything and made sure every little item went back to its place and the clothes were put back onto its little doll hanger. They would probably be in pristine condition today if I still had them. My mother assumed I didn't want them anymore because I was older and no longer lived at home, so she donated everything. I hope they brought as much joy to other children (or maybe other adults) as they brought me.
I have to add that I HATE the changes they've made to their bodies. They're dolls and looked perfectly doll-shaped before. It's so unnecessary.
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ninawatchesstuff
I remember growing up and being absolutely fascinated by Josefina. I had all her books, and I begged to have her doll. My mom and sister tried to steer me to Kirsten, because we have Swedish heritage, but I was never that interested in Kirsten's story. It felt too much like a rehash of 'Little House on the Prairie' to me, and instead of interesting me, the similarities between Kirsten's stories and my own upbringing (on account of the Swedish heritage) just bored the heck out of me. Josefina came from a culture very different from the one I was familiar with, and that captivated my interest like nothing else. I ended up with two dolls: Josefina (my fave) and Kirsten (appeasement. I have a greater appreciation for Kirsten as an adult because I ended up developing an interest in genealogy, and I still have those two somewhere (probably in my storage unit, given that I spent my twenties moving to a new place every two to three times a year. I started outgrowing the series around the time Kaya came onto the scene, but I still enjoy the stories and will sometimes go back to those books. If I had the money, I'd probably start up an American Girl doll collection.
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I remember growing up and being absolutely fascinated by Josefina. I had all her books, and I begged to have her doll. My mom and sister tried to steer me to Kirsten, because we have Swedish heritage, but I was never that interested in Kirsten's story. It felt too much like a rehash of 'Little House on the Prairie' to me, and instead of interesting me, the similarities between Kirsten's stories and my own upbringing (on account of the Swedish heritage) just bored the heck out of me. Josefina came from a culture very different from the one I was familiar with, and that captivated my interest like nothing else. I ended up with two dolls: Josefina (my fave) and Kirsten (appeasement. I have a greater appreciation for Kirsten as an adult because I ended up developing an interest in genealogy, and I still have those two somewhere (probably in my storage unit, given that I spent my twenties moving to a new place every two to three times a year. I started outgrowing the series around the time Kaya came onto the scene, but I still enjoy the stories and will sometimes go back to those books. If I had the money, I'd probably start up an American Girl doll collection.
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EilonwyG
I got Samantha for my 10th birthday, back when it was just the original 3. I was obsessed with the dolls for years. Collected every catalogue that came to the house. Read every girl's books as they came out and I found them at the library. I searched for new clothes at craft fairs, often looking for more historic, rather than modern, outfits. I loved the history of it all. I did save up and bought myself a girl of today, a girl I named Alex who became my Samantha's new sister. But it was the historical girls where my heart was truly at. It's sad that these girls aren't really the focus of the company any more in lue of their more modern girls. I liked it as an option, not the focus. I feel like the historic girls are more of an after thought now, with their stories not as deep and their time periods not as accurate. And they just seem more cheaply made than my OG girl.
I still want to get a Felicity some day.
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I got Samantha for my 10th birthday, back when it was just the original 3. I was obsessed with the dolls for years. Collected every catalogue that came to the house. Read every girl's books as they came out and I found them at the library. I searched for new clothes at craft fairs, often looking for more historic, rather than modern, outfits. I loved the history of it all. I did save up and bought myself a girl of today, a girl I named Alex who became my Samantha's new sister. But it was the historical girls where my heart was truly at. It's sad that these girls aren't really the focus of the company any more in lue of their more modern girls. I liked it as an option, not the focus. I feel like the historic girls are more of an after thought now, with their stories not as deep and their time periods not as accurate. And they just seem more cheaply made than my OG girl.
I still want to get a Felicity some day.
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Munchkin325
I got Addy for Christmas 1994 and I was beyond thrilled. I have a semi-long story behind that Christmas but I'll spare y'all lol. My mom was not concerned with Addy's story as being that of a runway slave, but more concerned with giving her black daughter a doll that looked like her, which was not her experience growing up, even in NYC. Slavery is an unfortunate part of our history as black people. As an adult now, I think Addy was created thoughtfully and carefully, making her story age appropriate for modern readers without watering down the horrors of slavery and the struggles she and her mom faced once arriving to freedom in Philly. I'm just sorry I don't have any daughters to give these beautiful dolls to. Maybe granddaughters someday. I have a second American Girl doll I got for my 11th birthday in 1996, but she was one of the then called Girl of Today. I didn't enjoy her as much.
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I got Addy for Christmas 1994 and I was beyond thrilled. I have a semi-long story behind that Christmas but I'll spare y'all lol. My mom was not concerned with Addy's story as being that of a runway slave, but more concerned with giving her black daughter a doll that looked like her, which was not her experience growing up, even in NYC. Slavery is an unfortunate part of our history as black people. As an adult now, I think Addy was created thoughtfully and carefully, making her story age appropriate for modern readers without watering down the horrors of slavery and the struggles she and her mom faced once arriving to freedom in Philly. I'm just sorry I don't have any daughters to give these beautiful dolls to. Maybe granddaughters someday. I have a second American Girl doll I got for my 11th birthday in 1996, but she was one of the then called Girl of Today. I didn't enjoy her as much.
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galloe8933
Here to watch this, but even as a kid back in the early 00s I got my first Official job at Mc. D's and that summer we had Happy Meals with an American Girl doll.
The year is 2003 or 4, and people started ordering so many Happy Meals that you couldn't order 7 of them to get try and get the doll you wanted because every other car in the drive through wanted to do the same.
People got upset, and would just ask the buy the Happy Meal toy, and we couldn't do that.
We are in a City (Tacoma) and too many people wanted soecial treatment to get what they wanted, like they were the only ones keen on the perceived value of the toy they want.
Swear, I knew nothing about Anerican Gril Dolls until that fiasco, and I've been done with the ever sense.
I felt like this was my Tickle me Elmo before Christmas at a Walmart moment.
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Here to watch this, but even as a kid back in the early 00s I got my first Official job at Mc. D's and that summer we had Happy Meals with an American Girl doll.
The year is 2003 or 4, and people started ordering so many Happy Meals that you couldn't order 7 of them to get try and get the doll you wanted because every other car in the drive through wanted to do the same.
People got upset, and would just ask the buy the Happy Meal toy, and we couldn't do that.
We are in a City (Tacoma) and too many people wanted soecial treatment to get what they wanted, like they were the only ones keen on the perceived value of the toy they want.
Swear, I knew nothing about Anerican Gril Dolls until that fiasco, and I've been done with the ever sense.
I felt like this was my Tickle me Elmo before Christmas at a Walmart moment.
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sailorjupoak
Mattel kind of mess things up, if you ask me. They aren't as careful with AG when it was an independent company.
Oh, and I do still have my Felicity doll, and I only had 1 doll growing up. I remember others having a few dolls, and I just couldn't understand where their families were getting the money from. I had to save up my money in order to get the books, the clothes, etc, but other kids just got the whole sets for the dolls without having to do anything.
I do have a niece, and her family cannot afford a new AG doll. Luckily, she has 2 aunts, and she's already gotten Samantha from her other aunt. I've given some of my books and accessories, and will most likely give her Felicity for Christmas later this year. She's been taking good care of Samantha, and that's what I want her to do with Felicity as well.
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Mattel kind of mess things up, if you ask me. They aren't as careful with AG when it was an independent company.
Oh, and I do still have my Felicity doll, and I only had 1 doll growing up. I remember others having a few dolls, and I just couldn't understand where their families were getting the money from. I had to save up my money in order to get the books, the clothes, etc, but other kids just got the whole sets for the dolls without having to do anything.
I do have a niece, and her family cannot afford a new AG doll. Luckily, she has 2 aunts, and she's already gotten Samantha from her other aunt. I've given some of my books and accessories, and will most likely give her Felicity for Christmas later this year. She's been taking good care of Samantha, and that's what I want her to do with Felicity as well.
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lovefool. 99
I was born in 1987 and I grew up playing and loving Barbies and Polly Pockets. And I was the only girl I knew who had Polly Pockets and I looooved them and took such good care of all my toys - kids were always impressed because no one I knew took care of toys. Anyways I always wanted a SAMANTHA doll as that’s my name and I loved her books and everything. Sadly we never could afford the dolls. But every girl I knew who had the dolls - never took care of them. They were always thrown in the bottom of the toy box or not played with or anything. One mean little rich girl had the entire Samantha set up and kept saying how much she hates the doll. I literally never met one little girl who loved the dolls - it made me so angry as a kid. Lol
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I was born in 1987 and I grew up playing and loving Barbies and Polly Pockets. And I was the only girl I knew who had Polly Pockets and I looooved them and took such good care of all my toys - kids were always impressed because no one I knew took care of toys. Anyways I always wanted a SAMANTHA doll as that’s my name and I loved her books and everything. Sadly we never could afford the dolls. But every girl I knew who had the dolls - never took care of them. They were always thrown in the bottom of the toy box or not played with or anything. One mean little rich girl had the entire Samantha set up and kept saying how much she hates the doll. I literally never met one little girl who loved the dolls - it made me so angry as a kid. Lol
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itsmaryo
This is my childhood! My mom didn't believe in spending this kind of money on a doll, so as a kid I saved my own report card/birthday/Christmas money and finally bought myself an Addy. I loved her so much and I still have her. When AG released their anniversary dolls a few years ago, I bought that Addy as well. She looks like a brand new version of my very loved and played with original Addy. It also took me back to being a kid and thinking about how long it took to save for that one doll vs buying Addy again as an adult. I've also got discontinued Cecile, a Girl of Today, a Welliewisher, and a bitty baby. I've been to 6 of the AG stores across the US (rip to AG Atlanta. My love for this brand runs deep
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This is my childhood! My mom didn't believe in spending this kind of money on a doll, so as a kid I saved my own report card/birthday/Christmas money and finally bought myself an Addy. I loved her so much and I still have her. When AG released their anniversary dolls a few years ago, I bought that Addy as well. She looks like a brand new version of my very loved and played with original Addy. It also took me back to being a kid and thinking about how long it took to save for that one doll vs buying Addy again as an adult. I've also got discontinued Cecile, a Girl of Today, a Welliewisher, and a bitty baby. I've been to 6 of the AG stores across the US (rip to AG Atlanta. My love for this brand runs deep
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goatsandroses4258
The earliest AG dolls (I don't know after the company was sold) were VERY high quality and the clothing and accessories were extremely well-made. I've never heard anyone complain that Madame Alexander dolls are too expensive, and I think by the 90s the AG dolls were still play dolls and honestly taught a lot of girls about history. If a person couldn't afford an AG, there were doll kits and later a lot of 18 lesser-priced versions that could still wear the AG clothes (and there were even lots of patterns to sew clothes)
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The earliest AG dolls (I don't know after the company was sold) were VERY high quality and the clothing and accessories were extremely well-made. I've never heard anyone complain that Madame Alexander dolls are too expensive, and I think by the 90s the AG dolls were still play dolls and honestly taught a lot of girls about history. If a person couldn't afford an AG, there were doll kits and later a lot of 18 lesser-priced versions that could still wear the AG clothes (and there were even lots of patterns to sew clothes)
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AmandaMMMBOPhanson
Pleasant Roland did an awesome job, and achieved her goal. The stories were great, and did introduce us in 90’s / early 00’s to delicate topics in a way that we were able to understand. and by we- I mean literally any girl ( or even boy) that read the stories.
The problems showed up when the big names took over and saw the protection for more $$ by making a doll and story for everything under the sun. That’s not what this was meant to be the dolls and stories are meant to teach us about the past.
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Pleasant Roland did an awesome job, and achieved her goal. The stories were great, and did introduce us in 90’s / early 00’s to delicate topics in a way that we were able to understand. and by we- I mean literally any girl ( or even boy) that read the stories.
The problems showed up when the big names took over and saw the protection for more $$ by making a doll and story for everything under the sun. That’s not what this was meant to be the dolls and stories are meant to teach us about the past.
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carolwarn7497
I loved american girl dolls! Yes the history, but also you could order a doll with darker skin (olive) with lighter hair and light eyes. Basically my daughters looks. I just wanted her to see that all people are not white, blond and blue eyed. Her dad is, but thats okay. Its just that the dolls at the major stores are either white blue-eyed or African American, nothing wrong with that. I just wanted her to have a doll that looked like het, because shes different, and special. JUST LIKE ALL CHILDREN ARE!
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I loved american girl dolls! Yes the history, but also you could order a doll with darker skin (olive) with lighter hair and light eyes. Basically my daughters looks. I just wanted her to see that all people are not white, blond and blue eyed. Her dad is, but thats okay. Its just that the dolls at the major stores are either white blue-eyed or African American, nothing wrong with that. I just wanted her to have a doll that looked like het, because shes different, and special. JUST LIKE ALL CHILDREN ARE!
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jasoncowgill752
My sister, who was born in 1990, was the target market for these dolls during their initial heyday. We both enjoyed the six books that were created for each doll if I remember correctly and definitely learned some true history through personal stories. It was then really cool to see my daughter and later my stepdaughters when they came into my life be into these as well in the 2010s and we would take them to the American girl store in Chesterfield Missouri until they outgrew it and it has since closed.
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My sister, who was born in 1990, was the target market for these dolls during their initial heyday. We both enjoyed the six books that were created for each doll if I remember correctly and definitely learned some true history through personal stories. It was then really cool to see my daughter and later my stepdaughters when they came into my life be into these as well in the 2010s and we would take them to the American girl store in Chesterfield Missouri until they outgrew it and it has since closed.
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historybuff7491
Yes, I know about some of the controversies, but mostly, my children got good experiences from having the dolls. Here is why: these are expensive dolls, and I needed each child (in turn) to feel the expense of the doll so hopefully they would take good care of it. So starting more than a year from their 8th birthday, I encouraged them to save up half the cost for the doll of their choice, I would cover the rest. They each got a doll, that way, and continued to save for other dolls and clothes.
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Yes, I know about some of the controversies, but mostly, my children got good experiences from having the dolls. Here is why: these are expensive dolls, and I needed each child (in turn) to feel the expense of the doll so hopefully they would take good care of it. So starting more than a year from their 8th birthday, I encouraged them to save up half the cost for the doll of their choice, I would cover the rest. They each got a doll, that way, and continued to save for other dolls and clothes.
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usagi32211
I got my first AG doll around 1990, and one of my favorite things they offered was sewing patterns for their clothes. My grandmother and mother both spent hours with me making outfits, and I still have all of them. I ended up with 3 dolls over the years (Kirsten, Molly, and Felicity) and most of their clothing was made at home. My grandfather even made me a replica of Kirsten's trunk. When I think of those dolls, I think of time spent with family before anything else.
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I got my first AG doll around 1990, and one of my favorite things they offered was sewing patterns for their clothes. My grandmother and mother both spent hours with me making outfits, and I still have all of them. I ended up with 3 dolls over the years (Kirsten, Molly, and Felicity) and most of their clothing was made at home. My grandfather even made me a replica of Kirsten's trunk. When I think of those dolls, I think of time spent with family before anything else.
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dawfydd
The people who dislike the fact Addy is a slave are just honestly the worst people.
they don't really give a shit. they're just looking to whine.
They understand the whole point is to TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE HISTORY. and the doll with a history is required, but they're too busy being victims.
Sadly much of the African american population of america are self titled victims always making sure they find something to complain about rather than improve their situation.
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The people who dislike the fact Addy is a slave are just honestly the worst people.
they don't really give a shit. they're just looking to whine.
They understand the whole point is to TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE HISTORY. and the doll with a history is required, but they're too busy being victims.
Sadly much of the African american population of america are self titled victims always making sure they find something to complain about rather than improve their situation.
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Pearlie_e
I shared a paper route with a neighbor boy during the summer ages 8-10 and saved every penny to buy the Felicity doll and books from all characters available at the time. My best friend saved to buy the Samantha doll. We had so much fun learning about these time periods.
These characters fostered my ongoing love of history and historical research. I am now a scientist and believe that the American Girl books helped me learn how to communicate difficult concepts
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I shared a paper route with a neighbor boy during the summer ages 8-10 and saved every penny to buy the Felicity doll and books from all characters available at the time. My best friend saved to buy the Samantha doll. We had so much fun learning about these time periods.
These characters fostered my ongoing love of history and historical research. I am now a scientist and believe that the American Girl books helped me learn how to communicate difficult concepts
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ladynikkie
It's like the moment the American girl doll was sold to Mattel everything changed The true purpose of these dolls was to teach children American history through the eyes of these young American girls. And yes even when I was a child these dolls were very expensive. And honestly for the 40th anniversary of those dolls they should have just went with the original version of the six American girls it would have made sense to have a classic reprint.
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It's like the moment the American girl doll was sold to Mattel everything changed The true purpose of these dolls was to teach children American history through the eyes of these young American girls. And yes even when I was a child these dolls were very expensive. And honestly for the 40th anniversary of those dolls they should have just went with the original version of the six American girls it would have made sense to have a classic reprint.
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weird_history
Also, I think the purpose of the dolls was teaching history. So the context of education, and tackling the difficult issues that faced the people that were living at that time. Those difficult issues were integral to the time those dolls were set in. A doll representing homelessness may not have been affordable to kids who were actually homeless, but they could teach kids who weren’t homeless about homelessness.
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Also, I think the purpose of the dolls was teaching history. So the context of education, and tackling the difficult issues that faced the people that were living at that time. Those difficult issues were integral to the time those dolls were set in. A doll representing homelessness may not have been affordable to kids who were actually homeless, but they could teach kids who weren’t homeless about homelessness.
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