American Girl angers parents with book teaching kids about gender expression

Angry parents have blasted a book from the American Girl doll brand that discusses body image and gender, claiming it’s pushing impressionable children to change their gender.

“A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image: How to love yourself, live life to the fullest, and celebrate all kinds of bodies,” sets out to teach girls to “live comfortably in their own skin,” according to American Girl — but some parents disagree.

“Incredibly disappointed in your book ‘Body Image’ Let these little girls be little girls. Stop the disgusting push to introduce topics too mature. It is NOT your place,” one mother wrote on Twitter.

The 96- page book explains to its targeted audience of girls ages 8 to 11 that, “The way you show your gender to the world through clothes and behaviors is your gender expression.”

“Your gender expression can be feminine, masculine, or somewhere in between — and it might change! Maybe you’ll experiment with bright dresses and long, feminine hairstyles. Or you might try baggy shorts, plaid shirts, and a buzzed haircut. Your gender expression should make you feel at home in your body,” the book states, according to the Daily Mail.

“Parts of your body may make you feel uncomfortable and you may want to change the way you look. … ‘That’s totally OK!”

The book later adds, “If you haven’t gone through puberty yet, the doctor might offer medicine to delay your body’s changes, giving you more time to think about your gender identity.”

“You can appreciate your body for everything it allows you to experience and still want to change certain things about it,” the book advises.

American Girl

American Girl

American Girl

After word of the progressive book spread, irate parents took to social media to question its appropriateness. Some even left negative reviews on American Girl’s website claiming they are so angered they will now boycott the brand entirely.

“How sad that a book tells a child there are medicines to take to stop puberty or if parents won’t listen seek organizations that will, this is all gender-related,” one displeased customer said. “How sad this world is becoming that American Doll takes on the role (sic) of thinking they should give gender assignment advice in a book. Shame on you.”

Conservative commentator and podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey commented on the book on Twitter, advising parents to “Return your AG Christmas gifts asap.”

“Gone are the days when American Girl taught girls about history and femininity. Now they’re encouraging our daughters to hate their bodies, halt their puberty, & cut off their breasts in the name of ‘self-love,” Stuckey said.

One reviewer snapped at the brand, which is owned by Mattel, to “stay in their lane.”

“I will no longer buy any of your dolls or accessories for my grandchildren! Shame on you for introducing a book to young girls to change their gender. No more stay in your lane,” the commentator wrote.

The American Girl doll was created by Pleasant Rowland, a school teacher and news reporter who was inspired to fill a void in the doll industry after being unable to find gifts for her nieces.

The company was later bought by Mattel in 1998 and has since made modern dolls and books teaching young girls about their bodies, hygiene, and their feelings.