Growing Up Skipper Doll – She Grows Tall and Curvy
One of the most controversial dolls in 1975, just about every newspaper and radio program in the U.S.A. discussed a story about her. Some women’s groups & a few parents wrote to Mattel to complain.
Mattel expected sales to reach one and a half million units so the doll was produced and went to market.
Growing Up Skipper is nine inches tall with long reddish blonde hair. She was marketed as being Two dolls in One. Turn the left arm she grows a bigger bust line and becomes slightly taller. Turning the arm back again reverts Skipper to her previous doll.
Included with Skipper are a red headband, red body suit, blue collar, blue scarf, red socks, red flats, white platform shoes, two red, white plaid skirts, one short, one long.
Pictures: Growing Up Skipper Doll – Google Image Search
Politically Correct Version: Homely Doll To Improve Self-Image of Young Girls
Mattel also released a slightly older brown haired version known as Growing Up Ginger. Ginger would become a Tall Curvy Teenager with the twist of her arm. Also sold separately were coloring books for these dolls.
We have seen these dolls sell for over $100 each on ebay. Not a bad return on your investment considering the original price was under $5. Do any Hiddenfeet readers remember this doll? Anyone still have one?
If these dolls were released today, would public reaction be any different? Are dolls that demonstrate breast development harmful to the boys and girls who play with them? Would it matter if the doll grew breasts hiddenfeet sized?
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I remember hearing someone talk about Skipper a while ago. Any outrage to the doll obviously comes from ones sexualization of breasts.
Breasts grow. And from watching that video I have to admit its somewhat realistic apart from the turning the arm bit.
Breasts on any doll or toy will come under fire from parents because they wrongly believe breasts are for sexual purposes only. And they don’t want sexual things around their children.
The sad part is that breasts are not sexual unless men and women want them to be. Its a choice. Giving into societies view of breasts and viewing all breasts as sexual isn’t helping today’s children.
So would I buy a doll like this for my kids? Sure. I would be open with them about puberty and its possible changes to their bodies.
Those are my feelings as well. I read some of the youtube comments and they were way out of line. Some thought it was gross and said “whats next? a doll on her period?” Breasts are still viewed as “gross” by women and that’s pathetic. It has been mentioned on hiddenfeet before but its worth mentioning again, If girls grow up thinking that a part of their body is “gross” no wonder self confidence levels are so low with today’s youth.
I think there was some thought that went into this doll that people are not giving Matel credit for. Her breasts are small, positioned about right, and nothing like what Barbie looks like. Hiddenfeet sized breasts on the Skipper doll would have made women think the doll was for men and ideas of sexual fantasies would cloud their judgment. Its sad but still true that women think big breasts are sexual.
Perhaps its not the breasts that parents were worried about. The box says that the girl grows into a curvy teenager. Maybe parents were worried that it would give girls the wrong idea about puberty being easy and fun. Plus the fact that not all girls go through puberty the same.
Some don’t ever get tall. Some get no curves. Others get ample curves that make them look like Barbie.
Im not saying I don’t like the doll. I would just want it to have more options and be able to grow in many different ways. That would help girls understand how unpredictable their bodies are when they are young.
I love your sense of humor Sara. That onion article is funny. Thanks.
I think the doll is harmless. I would buy it for my daughters if I had any but I agree with the other girl that it should come with the ability to grow and develop in different ways.
haha! Love the onion link Sara!
I had one of these dolls when I was a little girl (how I wished I had kept it). The breasts grow to be the size of what an adult barbie doll already had. It was no big deal and I actually thought it was pretty neat at the time. I would turn the arm back and forth. I don’t even think my mom was that concerned about it either. It was very non-sexual believe me.
Hey I don’t Care About Skipper or Ginger “growing up”. I think its really cool and as long as they don’t try to make a “Grow Up Scooter” I’ll be fine.;}
Bye the way Scooter was one of Skipper’s friends. I think He was one of her first.