Kids' Dolls, Grownup Controversy

A popular doll that's on lots of kids' wish lists for the holidays is suddenly embroiled in a very grownup controversy.

The Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports that the American Girl doll is the subject of an anti-abortion boycott.

The dolls are a top seller among toys, ringing up almost $400 million dollars in sales last year.

Natalie Glitz, of Des Plaines, Ill. has four American Girl dolls, and lots of accessories.

"They're sort of like me," she tells Kauffman. "They're sort of like my friends, and … it's like their alive."

Raylee Aberman and her mom, Tracy, are also big fans.

Says Tracy, "I like these dolls because I think they're wholesome, and I think, today, there are so many dolls out there that aren't sending the message that I would like my child to get. And this doll, I think, teachers them a little bit about American history."

That, observes Kauffman, is why the American Girl flagship store in Chicago and its sister store in New York aren't just places to shop, they're happenings, where little girls and their families spend the day. They can take their dolls out to lunch, get their hair done, and of course, shop.

But, explains Kauffman, the doll company's wholesome image took a hit when it began a charitable campaign for real American girls.

The company chose "Girls, Inc." as this year's charity.

The organization's goals are to get girls involved in math and science, leadership, economic literacy, and sports. It also helps them with safety issues, and more.

But its Web site refers to girls' sexuality, and shows support of abortion rights.

And that's offended the Pro-Life Action League.

"To have them tied with an outfit that supports abortion is so disappointing," says Ann Scheidler, the group's executive director. "We're asking people not to buy anything else from American Girl.""We have just been absolutely shocked about the controversy in general and the boycott assumed specifically," says Joyce Roche, the president of Girls, Inc.

She points to what she calls a "wonderful example of a company doing a good thing": bracelets saying "I can," as in "I can make a difference in the world."

American Girl sells the bracelets for $1 each, and donates 70 cents from each sale to Girls, Inc.

"Until they break off that affiliation," asserts anti-abortion rights activist Wanda Glitz, Natalie's mother. "I would like to see an apology for that. We will not purchase any more American Girl dolls."

Though Natalie wants another doll for Christmas, she won't be getting one, now that her mom has joined the boycott.

"We're a pro-life family," Wanda says, "and we're very committed, and we can choose where we want to put our dollars."

Raylee wants a new doll for Chanukah, and she'll be getting one.

"From what I understand, the Girls Inc organization is after-school programming and educational programming for girls who really need that, and to me the overall message is a positive one," Tracy says.

American Girl says "I can" is one of many philanthropic endeavors undertaken by the company, and it says sales haven't been affected by the boycott.

"I wrote my letter to Mattel and protested," one visitor to the American Girl store told Kauffman, "but we already promised them the trip, so here we are."

"I think it's a bunch of crap, and I don't care about it," said another.

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, and it's the day that groups say they will protest at American Girl stores.

Wanda plans to be at the Chicago store.

Asked if she's told Natalie she's not getting anymore American Girls dolls, Wanda says, "I did. …She said, 'Oh, no!' "

Kauffman notes that, ironically, American Girl partnered with Girl's Inc only for the year 2005. The boycott will be heating up, just as the partnership is coming to an end.