View Full Version : Miss Bimbo
A new games site aimed at teenage girls where their characters can be kept skinny by using diet pills and opt for plastic surgery in an attempt to be the 'best' Bimbo is proving extremely popular with young girls according to the news today.
Naturally the makers (both young males..surprise surprise!) claim it is just a bit of fun.
I think it sends out some very alarming messages about what makes for success in todays world.
What do you reckon?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...-mostviewedbox (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/25/nweb225.xml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox)
Add that to the pressure from all the glam mags and fashion houses who insist on using size zero models.
It's just another angle on the likes of "Second Life"
One has to ask why are the parents allowing their kids to use such sites? Perhaps they should be showing these girls they need to get a First life.....
Metalattakk
25-Mar-08, 19:54
I reckon kids are able to see that it's not real. You do them a great disservice by suggesting otherwise.
percy toboggan
25-Mar-08, 19:56
When I heard of the nature of this site earlier I immediately formed a negative impression.
Given the coverage on BBC news tonight, and the confirmation of such a very silly and misguided concept...I feel the originators should be clad in irons for several months in a very damp place....and fed ryvita biscuits.
To fill impressionable heads with nonsense as breast enhancement surgery and diet pills amounts to a kind of sedition to me. Undermining childrens welfare.
I did briefly flirt with the idea of logging on, and feeding my bimbo nowt but 'steak and chips' just for the sheer hell of it....but my wife says I can't.
I reckon the crux of the matter lies in this quote from the newspaper report :-
"Many parents have no idea what their children are looking at on the internet and there are financial dangers for parents too if they do not know what their children are texting when they pick up mobile phones."
..........I did briefly flirt with the idea of logging on, and feeding my bimbo nowt but 'steak and chips' just for the sheer hell of it....but my wife says I can't.
Percy - steak and chips without red wine just would not cut the mustard. Your wife is spot on in realising that your bimbo could prove to be an expensive, if not expansive, hobby. ;)
It states the age of users as being between 9 and 16. How many 9 year-olds would have had a clue as to what breast enlargement and diet pills were all about before going on to this site.
Why are people so intent on making children act old before there time. As stated just how many parents are aware of what their children look at on the internet. Not all parents know how to check this out anyway apart from standing over them.
What makes this site even more worrrying is the fact that money can be involved through mobiles and texting. I did actually see a Paypal sign on the video about the site. One thing is for sure all those who didnt know about the site before will certainly be curious now with all the publicity its had today.
Whatever happened to dolls and prams.
It's a bit like the sims in a way. I reckon it's more do do with a mindset of perfectionism through control so by appealing to girls through body image it probalbly works. Reckon a lot of 9 years olds are far more clued up than we know. I read in the Sunday Times that a fifth of 9 year olds have watched porn on their PC's.
[quote=sweetpea;364377]Iy. I reckon it's more do do with a mindset of perfectionism through control /quote]
Which unfortunately describes Anorexia to a tee!:~(
[quote=sweetpea;364377]Iy. I reckon it's more do do with a mindset of perfectionism through control /quote]
Which unfortunately describes Anorexia to a tee!:~(
Exactly!:(
Oh to be able to channel that perfectionism into something beautiful!
I reckon kids are able to see that it's not real. You do them a great disservice by suggesting otherwise.
I wish you were right but am afraid that's wildly optimistic. You only have to look at the way young girls dress and the endless propaganda that appearance is all and content comes a long way behind. Television and the Internet plus lack of parental interest have seen to it that childhood innocence probably lasts until about the age of 3 these days.
Karia is right - this gives completely the wrong message. It doesn't say much for the adults behind it (and there must be some) - money is everything.
Boozeburglar
25-Mar-08, 21:53
I reckon kids are able to see that it's not real. You do them a great disservice by suggesting otherwise.
I know what you are saying, but there must be some reason that eating disorders are more or less 50/50 M/F until children reach a certain age, and girls start to become the major statistic.
This is surely going to be part of that conditioning?
:)
Maybe when boys/girls reach a certain age boys channel their energy and interest into different things than girls. Body conciousness. Plus the pressure from media/mags as someone said is overwhelming if your a girl.
Boozeburglar
25-Mar-08, 22:15
Maybe when boys/girls reach a certain age boys channel their energy and interest into different things than girls. Body conciousness. Plus the pressure from media/mags as someone said is overwhelming if your a girl.
That is the point I am making.
I helped do research on this with schoolchildren in Manchester in the early 90s.
Metalattack seems to be suggesting that because a child can tell something is not 'real' it will not have an effect.
I don't presume to paraphrase him, so will be glad if he clarifies that.
It is shown that the reason for the change in ratio is a combination of factors, social conditioning being the overwhelmingly important one.
:)
STUDMUFFIN
25-Mar-08, 23:17
just want to point out that our ten year old daughter constantly comments on how fat she is (built like a rake) and also how ugly she is(absolutely beautiful). she has a brilliant sense of humour, cracking personality and a kind nature. no amount of praise or love will help her to see how gorgeous she is. i couldn't of cared less what i looked like when i was ten i was more interested in having fun. something has changed dramatically over the last two decades and children don't seem to have as much of a child hood. its very worrying and also quite sad. these web sites may be fun and games to some but i will definately be keeping an eye on what the kids do on the computer.
Metalattakk
26-Mar-08, 00:02
Metalattack seems to be suggesting that because a child can tell something is not 'real' it will not have an effect.
I don't presume to paraphrase him, so will be glad if he clarifies that.
I will clarify.
I believe that to simply suggest that participating in this game will lead to children wanting 'boob jobs', or will lead to children becoming anorexic, is a slur on the intelligence of the vast, vast majority of sensible, reasonable children.
It's the same as suggesting that kids who play violent computer games will eventually go on to become violent themselves, simply because of their gaming choice. It's a fallacy.
It's the same as suggesting that certain plot-lines in popular TV soaps will lead to kids thinking that under-age sex and under-age pregnancy is 'cool'. It's a fallacy.
To the vast majority of kids today, none of these things is so.
Kids are not stupid. They can tell these soaps and computer games are not real. That there may be an effect on the stupid and easily-led, perhaps so. But that effect can come from many more sources than a mildly outrageous computer game.
Perhaps before forming the baying mobs and witch-hunting the computer games, people might like to consider the parents and the role they have in bringing up their kids as sensible, reasonable and independent of mind.
I know what you are saying, but there must be some reason that eating disorders are more or less 50/50 M/F until children reach a certain age, and girls start to become the major statistic.
This is surely going to be part of that conditioning?
:)This makes me really angry, not your post but what is it with conditioning.? Conditioning them for what, Paedophiles?
Boozeburglar
26-Mar-08, 05:07
You have lost me friend; elucidate?
:)
Boozeburglar
26-Mar-08, 05:12
I will clarify.
I believe that to simply suggest that participating in this game will lead to children wanting 'boob jobs', or will lead to children becoming anorexic, is a slur on the intelligence of the vast, vast majority of sensible, reasonable children.
It's the same as suggesting that kids who play violent computer games will eventually go on to become violent themselves, simply because of their gaming choice. It's a fallacy.
It's the same as suggesting that certain plot-lines in popular TV soaps will lead to kids thinking that under-age sex and under-age pregnancy is 'cool'. It's a fallacy.
To the vast majority of kids today, none of these things is so.
Kids are not stupid. They can tell these soaps and computer games are not real. That there may be an effect on the stupid and easily-led, perhaps so. But that effect can come from many more sources than a mildly outrageous computer game.
Perhaps before forming the baying mobs and witch-hunting the computer games, people might like to consider the parents and the role they have in bringing up their kids as sensible, reasonable and independent of mind.
Dude, there is a proven correlation between the image portrayed as ideal in the media and the eating disorders attendant to teens attempting to achieve this image.
It makes sense that anything validating that requirement may form part of social conditioning towards eating disorders.
:)
Mister Squiggle
26-Mar-08, 10:27
I've just been trying to access the site to see what it's all about, but I baulked at the registration bit (how to explain it to my family that it's all in the name of research?). I like Percy's idea of steak and chips though - couldn't we sabotage the site?
Can you programme your bimbo to study quantum physics or feed her massive amounts of ice cream sandwiches and white pudding suppers?
Can you enter her onto Countdown/University Challenge or list her favourite radio programme as "Gardener's Question Time"? Can you choose to dress her in lime green Berketex and a pair of fluffy slippers? And as for plastic surgery, the words "prolapsed bowel" spring to mind.
C'mon people, let's get creative!!
I will clarify.
I believe that to simply suggest that participating in this game will lead to children wanting 'boob jobs', or will lead to children becoming anorexic, is a slur on the intelligence of the vast, vast majority of sensible, reasonable children.
It's the same as suggesting that kids who play violent computer games will eventually go on to become violent themselves, simply because of their gaming choice. It's a fallacy.
It's the same as suggesting that certain plot-lines in popular TV soaps will lead to kids thinking that under-age sex and under-age pregnancy is 'cool'. It's a fallacy.
To the vast majority of kids today, none of these things is so.
Kids are not stupid. They can tell these soaps and computer games are not real. That there may be an effect on the stupid and easily-led, perhaps so. But that effect can come from many more sources than a mildly outrageous computer game.
Perhaps before forming the baying mobs and witch-hunting the computer games, people might like to consider the parents and the role they have in bringing up their kids as sensible, reasonable and independent of mind.
I'm sorry Metal I just don't think you're living in the real world. Yes parents have a lot to do with it and if children were brought up by their parents with high moral codes then maybe they would be able to resist the propaganda, although even then I think there would be some effect. The fact is that these days far too many children are left in front of television and computers with little or no supervision and are exposed to a huge variety of unsuitable material. They may, if they think about it, know it's not real, but the drip drip effect is there and their childhood is being taken away.
Why do companies spend vast sums on tv advertising if they don't believe it gets results?
Sex education in schools on the whole is telling children how to avoid getting pregnant and STIs (and obviously not working); it doesn't tell them it's OK to say No. This is backed up by soaps where there is no respect for existing relationships - anyone is fair game - and people jump into bed on the first date. Violent video games are producing a generation of children who don't see violence as a problem but as part of life.
I can remember when little girls wore pretty dresses to go to parties - now they dress like mini-teens and go to discos.
Metalattakk
26-Mar-08, 11:23
Dude, there is a proven correlation between the image portrayed as ideal in the media and the eating disorders attendant to teens attempting to achieve this image.
It makes sense that anything validating that requirement may form part of social conditioning towards eating disorders.
:)
As I said, there may be a correlation, but it is the parent's responsibility to dispel the 'social conditioning'. You can't simply blame the game/video/soap/magazine.
I'm sorry Metal I just don't think you're living in the real world. Yes parents have a lot to do with it and if children were brought up by their parents with high moral codes then maybe they would be able to resist the propaganda, although even then I think there would be some effect. The fact is that these days far too many children are left in front of television and computers with little or no supervision and are exposed to a huge variety of unsuitable material. They may, if they think about it, know it's not real, but the drip drip effect is there and their childhood is being taken away.
Why do companies spend vast sums on tv advertising if they don't believe it gets results?
Sex education in schools on the whole is telling children how to avoid getting pregnant and STIs (and obviously not working); it doesn't tell them it's OK to say No. This is backed up by soaps where there is no respect for existing relationships - anyone is fair game - and people jump into bed on the first date. Violent video games are producing a generation of children who don't see violence as a problem but as part of life.
I can remember when little girls wore pretty dresses to go to parties - now they dress like mini-teens and go to discos.
I agree with most of your post. It's ultimately the parents who have control (or not) of the situation. Maybe it's not the 'social conditioning' of the child that is the problem, it's the 'social conditioning' of the lazy, thoughtless and ignorant parent.
Why else would they allow their precious children to dress and behave like mini-adults?
Seriously, I worry for the future, when today's parenting standards are so low. It's not going to get any better and there's nothing we can do about it.
Right, better stop before I go right into 'rant' mode. ;)
Sapphire2803
26-Mar-08, 12:47
I don't think you can blame it all on the parents when there is so much media coverage of the "size zero" issue.
I grew up with my mother always being overweight and always on some new diet. At the time she was just offically 'fat' (sorry Mum). Nowadays she would be called clinically obese or even morbidly obese! She was healthy enough at the time although carrying all the weight has contributed to her osteo-arthritis. Having grown up with the diets ands fads and weight issues and also being a chubby child who got bullied at school mercilessly, I grew up to be a card carrying anorexic, I would've said 'no way am I, have you seen how much weight I put on when I'm not dieting?' but now I know better, the other side to anorexia is the weight gain in between sessions of starvation.
My girls have been brought up to believe that a nice figure is anything between (and excluding) being too thin (bony) and unhealthily overweight.
They saw pictures of Nicole Ritchie for example, they thought she looked nice being a clothes hanger, so I found pictures of her in a swimsuit. They agreed with me... Yuck! My 11 year old is a healthy weight with a nice figure (doesn't seem an appropriate word for an 11y/o), but she comes home from school crying that she has been called fat. The girls who call her fat are usually stick thin. I call in reinforcements, she is old enough (unfortunately) to be interested in boys, so I ask any male I know well enough, is she fat? The answer is always no. I ask her how many of the girls who say these things to her are constantly flirting with her boyfriend and trying to get him to dump her for them... the answer is all of them. I'm lucky, she sees the sense in this.
According to what most of these young girls believe, my daughter is fat, purely because she doesn't need a cushion to be able to sit down for more than 5 minutes, she has a backside for that. She is 11, but I have to buy her age 12/13 trousers because they seem to have been cut and designed for a beanpole. It annoys the hell out of me. To make matters worse my daughter has reached puberty. She (to my mind) is a little girl, but she's a 32c. She gets bullied for that too, I explain to her almost daily that the girls who bully her are jealous and that if they ate enough to stop their ribs sticking out that they might actually grow boobs too.
My daughter is very popular with the boys, she has a fairly grown up figure, blonde hair and a pretty face, but she likes to get out and play football or rugby. She's a real tomboy and gives as good as she gets when it comes to rough play. So, the boys think she's great. This makes the girls attack her even more.
She has a sensible outlook on the weight issue, but she's constantly under attack for it. It knocks her confidence and my worry is that some day, she will give in to the constant pressure and go on a crash diet.
I'm starting the whole thing all over again with my 9 year old too. She comes in complaining that someone has called her fat. She is not!
My girls end up living in jeans and tee shirts and jumpers because a lot of the clothes available for their age are just obscene (my opinion).
I think the biggest problem these days is that they grow up too fast and as a parent you can only try to slow that down. Many parents seem to be trying to speed up the growing up process, it makes me want to shake them.
My 11y/o's opinion on Miss Bimbo...
Yay! Starve the skinny moo to death, serves her right for being so stupid!
<Phew> Thank God for that!
Metalattakk
26-Mar-08, 13:03
Seems to me, from what you say, that you are doing the right thing by your kids. Well done. An example to all that all it takes is some common-sense. Keep up the good work!
[thumbs-up-smiley]
Why the hysteria?
Our children are merely mini versions of ourselves. Ask yourself whether you would have been sucked in by this when you were younger. In the vast majority of cases the answer would be no. The whole thing is dripping in irony as far as I can see. As has been said, kids by and large are not stupid.
What is far more harmful is real life morons such as Jordan and Kerry Katona being proclaimed as mum of the year and such nonsense. These are the things you should not be exposing your kids to. Unfortunately they command prime time TV slots. If your kids watch too much TV, I would suggest that is far more harmful to them than Miss Bimbo will ever be.
Sapphire2803
26-Mar-08, 13:09
Seems to me, from what you say, that you are doing the right thing by your kids. Well done. An example to all that all it takes is some common-sense. Keep up the good work!
[thumbs-up-smiley]
Well, I do my best and we'll just have to wait and see how they turn out. Thank you very much though.
I try to keep an eye on what they're up to, I was quite happy that my daughter had discovered msn because we don't live near any other children, so I thought it would be great for her to be able to chat to them. It is most of the time, but the girls who bully her send messages like "Die, fatty!" These girls are now blocked.
What the hell is happening to these kids?
Sapphire2803
26-Mar-08, 13:19
Why the hysteria?
Our children are merely mini versions of ourselves. Ask yourself whether you would have been sucked in by this when you were younger. In the vast majority of cases the answer would be no. The whole thing is dripping in irony as far as I can see. As has been said, kids by and large are not stupid.
What is far more harmful is real life morons such as Jordan and Kerry Katona being proclaimed as mum of the year and such nonsense. These are the things you should not be exposing your kids to. Unfortunately they command prime time TV slots. If your kids watch too much TV, I would suggest that is far more harmful to them than Miss Bimbo will ever be.
In history, children have always been dressed as mini adults, over the last 50 years or so this has evolved into what we have now. Children's clothes are mini adult clothes, but it just seems in a lot of cases to be the wrong sort of adult clothes. My son is ok, he wears what the the average bloke wears, jeans or track suits, depending on what he is doing. The choice of girls clothes tends to be more from the tarty end of young women's clothing. I think the other difference now is that child abuse is no longer hushed up, we are now very much aware of the problem and I for one, don't wish to dress my daughters like they are "on the pull".
You're absolutely right about TV, Ours spends it's time between the BBC childrens channels and BBC3 most of the time, so not too bad.
As for these Mum of the year things.... I can't comment on here... I'd get myself suspended if I used that sort of language!
Kids have always been, and always will be, bullies. Cyber-bullying is just another branch of an age old tree.
percy toboggan
26-Mar-08, 17:51
Our children are not mini-versions of ourselves, not in terms of what they are exposed to......they are growing up in a world of undue influence where the reach of intrusive media and cyber sites are clawing away at their individuality and their innocence.
The world has been stood upon its head since I was a child, and it's not much different for the succeeding generation, who are now rearing youngsters & adolescents of their own
Sapphire spoke so candidly, and with so much good sense in her post she deserves public acclamation.
CD - since when could bullies reach into your bedroom and your personal space?....answer: since the net and the advent of mobile phones. Both of these commodities should be viewed very suspiciously when it comes to furnishing them to kids.
Old fashioned bullying was confined to the street corner or the playground...the new versions are much more insidious...there can be little escape for victimns of this...it is a hateful, hurtful crime and so very frustrating and upsetting for parents ...not all of whom can openly tackle the 'opposition' to get it stopped.
The comment about nine year olds viewing porn has not been picked up.Am I surprised...no...because it's almost taken for granted.
I was about that age when I saw some pornography for the first time and it stuck in my head to this day. As we grow older we know how to deal with it, know where to place porn in the realm of things. My experience was a one off courtesy of a friend who'd rummaged in his old fellas wardrobe....grainy black and white shots. Kids who pick up on this today can bombard themselves with images which could distort their whole outlook on life before they have started to really live. It's a subject which will haunt future generations, believe you me.
I agree with you.
But then I dont own a mobile and have never sent or received a text message.
I dont, however, have any solution for it.
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