Spookily realistic dolls create a stir in Brazil
In a shocking turn of events, a video surfaced on TikTok featuring a young woman claiming it was a busy and scary day for her as she prepared her "son," Bento, for a hospital trip. But hold on — little Bento wasn't a real child. He was a hyperrealistic reborn doll, handcrafted to look and feel like a baby, and this scene was all part of a captivating social media trend sparking heated discussions in Brazil and beyond.
The video, which racked up over 16 million views on TikTok, shows the woman packing a diaper bag with onesies, bottles, and medical documents before placing Bento in the back seat of a car. At the hospital, she weighed the doll, changed his diaper, and fed him a bottle. However, things were not as they seemed — this was just a play scenario by a content creator, and little Bento was indeed a riveting reborn doll.
This reborn doll craze has swept over Brazil like a storm, with videos showing women taking these lifelike dolls on park adventures, celebrating their "birthdays" with cakes and songs, and even simulating childbirth — or, in a throwback to those "wild and crazy days" in diapers, potty training. Juliana Drusz Magri, a 36-year-old HR professional from Curitiba, proudly admits she's into it, having collected 22 reborn dolls since 2018. For Juliana, the world of make-believe gives her an escape. "It's not a real baby," she insists.
Reborn dolls are cropping up everywhere, from pop culture to social media. A recent prime-time telenovela featured them, and a rap song about a gang walking the streets "kicking reborn dolls" is trending. Yet, opinions regarding these dolls are far from unified. Newspaper columnists, influencers, and lawmakers have all weighed in, torn between seeing them as a harmless pastime and a threat to societal order.
In the northern state of Amazonas, legislator João Luiz proposed a ban on public benefits for reborn dolls, claiming—without evidence—that some women were requesting them. His colleague, Joana Darc, voiced her concern, asking, "Where does it end? With reborn pets going to the veterinarian for neutering?" The Curitiba City Council, however, poked fun at the situation with a friendly warning: "Reborns are cute, but they don't guarantee a spot in the yellow seat on the bus, OK?"
Meanwhile, the Rio de Janeiro City Council recognized the artistry behind reborn dolls, intending to establish September 4th as Reborn Stork Day. Yet, the proposal was vetoed by the city's mayor. As of now, there are at least 30 bills filed in various legislative houses across the country, aiming to restrict the use of reborn dolls in public healthcare facilities; however, documented instances of such incidents are scarce.
The controversy around reborn dolls extends to their psychological and emotional impacts. For some, these dolls provide solace and an outlet for emotional expression, helping those grieving the loss of a child or offering a way to practice parenting skills. However, critics argue that excessive attachment to reborn dolls might hinder the emotional healing process for the grieving.
Vivi Louhrinci, a doll maker from Curitiba who has been crafting reborn dolls since 2020, acknowledges the upswing of interest in her work. "My life is chaotic due to this boom," she lamented, but recognizes it as a unique opportunity for exposure.
The reborn doll craze has mobilized artists, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide since the 1990s when people began transforming store-bought vinyl dolls into more lifelike reborn dolls. Today, these dolls cost around $200 to $250 on average, although some special edition, silicone dolls have sold for over $4,000. Dave Stack, the owner of the online marketplace Reborns, reports an increase in sales since he launched the site in 2012, now selling 40 to 60 dolls daily — up from 10 per day five years ago.
In conclusion, reborn dolls in Brazil have generated a surge of cultural and political discussions, as they offer emotional support for some while sparking controversy for others. Whether it's a therapeutic hideaway, a harmless hobby, or a suspicious symbol, one thing is clear: the reborn doll craze is here to stay. It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold in Brazilian society and why so many are captivated by these lifelike dolls.
- The reborn doll craze, sparked by a social media trend, has captivated society, leading to heated discussions on general news platforms, with opinions ranging from seeing them as harmless pastimes to threats to societal order.
- These lifelike dolls have extended their influence across various aspects of pop culture and entertainment, with reborn dolls appearing in prime-time telenovelas and a popular rap song about gangs walking the streets "kicking reborn dolls."
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development, reborn dolls are used as an outlet for emotional expression, aiding grieving individuals and providing opportunities for parenting practice, although critics argue excessive attachment might hinder the emotional healing process.
- In the political sphere, legislation regarding reborn dolls has been proposed, such as a ban on public benefits and restrictions in healthcare facilities, while other bills aim to recognize their artistry, with debates centered on their impact on society.
- The popularity of reborn dolls has surged globally, with artists, collectors, and enthusiasts being drawn to the craft since the 1990s, resulting in an increase in sales and an average price range of $200 to $250 for a standard reborn doll, while some special edition, silicone ones sell for over $4,000.
