Homeless 'American Girl' Doll Gets Attention

If the makers of the new American Girl doll wanted to bring attention to the problem of homeless families in the U.S., they sure did a good job of it. If they were just out to sell lots of $95 dolls, they'll probably manage that, too. Either way, the doll certainly is raising awareness of the problem of homelessness.

The limited-edition doll, named "Gwen," is described as a being homeless, according to a story on CBS.com. American Girl dolls each come with an attached story line that usually places the doll in a historical or social setting.

"In an accompanying book and movie, 'Chrissa Stands Strong,'" CBS.com reports, "a friend stands up for Gwen against bullying classmates."

One mother shopping in Manhattan's American Girl retail store told CBS.com that, "I think (a 'homeless' doll is) a good idea. It kind of shows awareness to what's going on in the world."

Some homeless advocates agree.

"I think it's really a good idea, because homelessness affects everybody, at different economic levels," Herb Smith, president of the Los Angeles Mission, told CBS.com. "I actually think it's a good teaching tool."

Other homeless advocates are more critical.

Children are "going to pick up the idea that it's OK, that it's an accepted segment of society that some children are homeless and some children are not," Tanya Tull, president of Beyond Shelter, told CBS.com.

For its part, the American Girl makers told CBS.com that the dolls "offer valuable lessons about life," and it is "disheartened that there has been any confusion over our fictional characters." Although none of the money made by selling the doll goes directly to charity, the doll makers said that "it has given almost $500,000 since 2006 to HomeAid, a national nonprofit group that tries to help the homeless find housing."

Photo courtesy of Yusuf C, via Flickr