Subconscious Conformity

This past week I've been visiting my family who live in Paris, one of which includes my little sister of 6, Louise. While roaming the streets with her the other day, we passed every adult wallet's nightmare - A TOY STORE. Unfortunately for me, my sister views me as an adult and she insisted on entering (and let me just tell you now, with eyes like hers, persuasion is an art). 

I presented her with various sweet little trinkets and toys that I would have enjoyed buying for her but she shook her head to each, was very unimpressed and dragged me to another aisle she knows far too well. "Monster High"... Monster High toys, Monster High outfits, Monster High pencil-cases, Monster High jewellery, Monster High bags, Monster High bubbles, Monster High sweets... I could go on forever if you'd like? Apparently according to her "Everyone has one" (and her favourite is "Draculaura"). When I asked her why exactly she has such a liking for these scary dolls she didn't have an answer for me.

Now, when I talk about conformity such as this, it obviously doesn't apply to everyone - some children may actually enjoy playing with dolls that look like alien monsters in tiny skirts BUT some... perhaps most, like them because others like them. The constant kid-clever advertising aimed at out little ones doesn't help grow their individuality one little bit!
I remember my 7th birthday coming up, supposedly the 'age of reason' and having people ask me what I wanted. Who knows what I actually wanted because I repeated what all my friends answered - "The latest beach barbie, please!". And just like these scary Monster dolls, Barbies were a matter of being hypnotised into liking what all my friends did... it doesn't just end at age 7 - it continues! From Barbies, I moved on to Bratz Dolls, Heelies, High-waisted shorts, bubble skirts, pants etc etc etc, and maybe I did in fact like some of the fads but in my opinion, can you ever know? Even beyond the  age of reason, once 10 of your friends have something.. you feel a certain desire to have it too, no? 

X Zo