The news about the new tween Dora hasn't gone down well with many parents who feel that the lovable, and tomboy-ish Dora should remain that way. For a month now, Mattel and Nick have refused to let out a picture of how the new tween Dora will look, promising that she will be unveiled later in the fall and choosing to release a silhouette instead. Many parents took offence at the new look, or what they could make of it. A feeling of outrage was spreading rapidly, with phrases like "Dora the streetwalker" and "Dora the tramp" hitting the blogosphere. Many were even comparing the tween Dora to the Bratz line of dolls.
Resulting from the uproar over the tween Dora and how she is being "exploited" by being forced to grow up, Mattel and Nick have retailated by releasing this animated picture of the new tween (actually 10 year old) Dora. They clarify that Dora isn't wearing a short skirt like her Bratz counterparts, but rather a dress and a pair of leggings. They also have to say that the tween Dora is portrayed to be a very wholesome character much like her younger self. Looking at her picture, I have to say I agree!
It remains to be seen just how "well" the tween Dora goes down with the kids. That is, if their parents let them have anything to do with her at all.
More about Tween Dora:
Dora stands for so much more than Nickelodeon can fathom. It is an icon to us moms wanting more for our children so how dare they think they can get away with this. Leave our Dora alone: http://www.mommyniri.com/2009/03/leave-our-dora-alone/
Love her. Completely impressed. SOOO kawaii
I think they should have just left in along. Thier will always be smaller children who will be interested in Dora.
Thanks.
i think dora is cute the way she is but dora cant stay the same age 4ever she will hav to grow up too jus like some kids will and may b she can encurage older kids too! so give the new look a try! jus like your not sapose to judge by the way people look!
I don’t know why Dora has to grow up, but if she dose, I don’t see anything wrong with the way she’s dressed. She still has a sweetness about her, and she’s very cute! I think Tween Dora seams to be a better role model than most anything else I’ve seen.
I don’t understand the change of Dora’s appearance. If you want to change something, change the color of her clothes not her entire image. Tweens do not watch Dora. The audience for Dora are infants/toddlers to seven year old children. It is bad enough that tween’s are wanting to imitate pop stars and such. The new Dora is setting a bad self image at an early stage/age.
The current Dora is fun and playful. The new Dora should have her own series on Teen Nick and represent Dora’s tween cousin (not Alicia from Go Diego) who will discuss teenage issues while teaching Espanol.
My two year old son enjoys both Dora and Diego however, if Dora’s image changes, I will not allow him to watch it. Please reconsider the change.
I think the new dora has finally grown up and yup she cannot stay the same age forever or else kids will start saying why doesnt dora ever growup and the way she is dressed is sooo cute its not a dress its a shirt….
I think Dora looks really cuye as a 10 year old young lady who is growing up, and is not the NickJR 5 year old anymore. And i can’t wait to see Diego! I love him, and I learn alot from him, even though i’m only 13. I used to love Dora, but i got over her. But the moms out there who hate tween Dora, then thats ok. thats their opinion. I have no problem with their comments.
I think dora is cute!!!!!!!! she cant stay a 5year old 4ever!!!!
I think this new Dora is cute. My little sister (age 2) loves Dora, so I asked my mother what she thought of her new look. My mom said she looked cute and didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. I’m fourteen, and personally I’m looking forward to seeing her older self in a new show. The little Dora gets on my nerves sometimes.
it’s sad to think insane mothers like this are parenting the next generation of children. The girl looks adorable! If you knew how to parent than a simple nicely dressed ten year old wouldn’t be enough to corrupt your child.
As a parent of six kids I say go for it! If she is going to be in high school I will have to watch it first b/c my children don’t fall into that age range yet. Personally I like seeing characters “grow up” that is what our kids do after all.
This dora is better than the 5 year old dora. She does need to grow up, everyone does. My cousin is 2 years old soon to be 3 and she loves dora but i can’t wait to tell my aunt that dora grew up. and my cousin i think she will be shocked althoughj she is only 2.
this dora is cute and it should have a new show. it should be called “My Tween Years”, on disney channels, from a girl who is 11 years old
I really thing that the tween Dora is really being blowed out of porportion. I think she emulates a little girl who grows up. You can’t stay 5 and 6 years old forever. I love her new look and so do my 5 and 2 year olds their exact words were Dora looks sooooo pretty with her hair and her ballerina shoes on. So I think Nick should advertise her she is totally what a nice kosher girl should look like as she grows up. I personally love her and think there is nothing wrong with her. Just like all characters as time pass they grow. Like the brady bunch like the high school muscial kids went from sophmores to seniors…..family matters ,full house and even you mom and dads who disapprove of a little girl character growing from 5 to 6 to 7 to 8 to 9 and what comes next 10!!!!!!!!!!! give me a break be honest when your kids got older they left dora alone because they went after something that they felt were age appropriate for them, now dora is growing with them how awesome is that. Give Dora a break.
I think what is important to realize is, although she may be growing up, she is still portrayed as the sweet, caring, adventurous girl she was as the younger version. She is not a BRATZ doll or anything like it.
As a parent I do have a few things to say to some of these other parents. First of all, this new Dora doesn’t look like a streetwalker or anything of the sort! At least not like any I’ve seen!! lol! She looks like a cute, normal 10 year old! I don’t see what the problem is lookwise? Second of all, I heard that Nick was going to keep running the younger version and the older version as well. But if they eventually stop running the younger version, so what? I grew up with the Rugrats and they grew up too. But guess what? I got over it! Shocking, huh? Third and final of all – and this is directed to the ones who are making the biggest stink – are you aware that the channels on your t.v. set change? And that you can have your children watch other programs? And that they don’t have to be Dora? Guess what parents? In this life your children ARE going to see other people and kids at school and even some t.v. characters change and maybe do some things you wouldn’t allow your children to do or aren’t comfortable with. So, seeing as how this is a fact of life and is inevitable, why don’t you use this “new dora” as an opportunity to talk with your kids and teach them the morals you believe in–instead of relying on the t.v. to do it for you. Just a thought.
Well new dora does seem like a ten year old of today but what’s the point of her? You have preschool and older dora, wouldn’t children be introduced to problems that you don’t see in preschool. If a preschooler had to choose between old dora and new dora, it would be new dora
I think she is a-Dora-ble as a tween.
I do not know what is your problem that she grows up.
She is not a slut, and never will be.
I mean seriously, this is a kids show, not some sort of rated ‘R’ movie.
I used to love Dora, then i grew out of it, but after seeing ‘tween’ dora, i think she absolutely normal.
i mean shes 10, what could possibly happen.
i dont think they will make a show that she will get prenant at 13.
its a kids show. give me a break.
Thank You Steph, for your comment above. You articulated so clearly EVERYTHING I have been thinking about this whole issue.
People should give it a go before taking on such a critical point of view. Talk about jumping the gun! Don’t be so one eyed and cynical, it’s a sad direction for society to go down.
I just showed my 6 year old daughter the picture of Tween Dora without telling her it was Dora and asked who she thought it was. She knew in an instant, and she thought she was beautiful.
I too, am under the impression that the young Dora and older Dora concept shows will both be running. I’m more keen for my 6 year old to watch the Tween Dora than I ever was for her to watch the original.
Great ideas Mattel and Nick, looking forward to what happens after here!
I am a mother of 3 i have a 5 year old twins(boy and girl) and a 10 year old daughter. My daughter who is 10 used to love Dora and now she has tried to find other things to watch but has found anything that is quite as much intresting that me and my husband approve of. So, when she saw the tween Dora she was ecstatic. I am happy that now she has something fun and wholesome to watch that is her age( not her little sister’s. And my little daughter will countinue to watch the little Dora and my son will watch Diego because he is a boy!!(Angela)So get off of Dora back everybody got to grow up now or later and Nick and Mattel picked now!!!
I am 8 and i hate the old dora she is annoying! I think that it would be fun to grow up with the new dora. she is fresh and cute! i love her! so parents if u dont like her let ur kids decide u cant make choices 4 them 4ever! if u dont like it then dont watch it. & dont ruin it 4 the rest of us!
Little girls look up to big girls. Why not give them a positive role model?
The old dora always was annoying, especially her voice. I think the new dora is a lot better because it will teach girls how to live when they get older. I like the way she is more preppy and pretty, and has new friends. This way, kids will know that you have to grow up someday.
i think that they should leave Dora alone.
they should have tween Dora as big kid show.
she looks good thought.
nahh this whole “tween dora” thing is stupid! they should leave dora alone and because ay the littel kids look up to her and not a tween one? its stupid. if they want to make a tween whatever make it a completely different show. but her look is preetyy =)))
you stupid people are making me mad ok she doesnt look sluty AT ALL she looks adorable! she is wearing a cute little sun dress with leggins that go OVER HER KNEES! i can imagine that you would get mad if she was wearing a little skirt that the little girls wear and a shirt that shows her belly but she looks fine you people over react for NOTHING!
I love the new dora. she is cute and hip. i think she needs to grow up… so what about all her friends? like tica, issa, boots and benny.. are they growing up too??? and are they doing the same with diego?
If people would actually look for things. They would see that NOTHING is happening to the original Little Dora.
The Tween Dora is for older girls who are still interested in the show and the character. And they said there will be no show for Tween Dora, it is all internet and clothing.
Which I think sucks, because Tween Dora is So Cute! I hope they reconsider and actually do animate her, by releasing an Original Animated Movie. This design can not be wasted!
If a doll comes out of Tween Dora, I am totally getting it… yes I am a big kid who can’t help but love cute characters.
I think that The new Tween Dora is good for girls that are older like 10 and 11 year olds they can be more like dolls to play with and to me she looks pretty and not like other adults say she looks pretty.
I think that the new tween Dora is a great idea!!!! What is wrong with older kids? It not like shes wearing a miniskirt with a tight belly shirt. Shes wearing something that is totally appropriate for a toddler.
the younger dora is cute but she is getting kinda annoying. i totally suport the tween dora she is really cool!!! so the angela that doesnt like it well then thats ur problem because DORA ROCKS!!! (i mean the older one).
And kids look up to Dora. So, if she doesnt grow, they will totally freak that they are. And i forget who said this, but someone metioned that kids will face problems that young dora cant fix, because shes too young. Older Dora is the perfect fix.
I think whatever side of this debate you fall on, you must remember two things. First of all, the marketing people don’t care what the consumers think until it effects their sales. Second, most level-headed people that are opposed to this change recognize that she does indeed look like most young girls who like to dress in pretty clothes and jewelry. The problem is that any influence such as this just adds to the bigger picture of how girls and women are portrayed in our society through media. I want to help my two daughters grow up to be strong, independant people that don’t get trapped and locked into the constraints of societies view of what girls should be or look like.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with either opinion. Both have facts to support opinion, and both have failing reasons. I personally support tween dora and how she is ok. I simply think that ok, well, maybe they did go a little orverboard with the change but, hey, is ALICIA from Diego a tween? And (angela) you allow your sons to watch that. And what about the backyardigins? They sing about getting dirty and AREN’T EVEN REAL. And I think that she is, as Jasmine would put it, a-DORA-able. And, hey, just on last thought, why should we care what they put on television if we try to get our children to do something else? THE TV IS NOT A BABYSITTER, AND IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE IT AS ONE THE RESULTS WILL NOT BE PRETTY.
she will be great give it a chance
Little kids will always have the old Dora through reruns and DVDs. Like the 8 year old above said, some girls who have grown up with Dora are tired of the old one and would enjoy this new version. Personally, I have a 13 year old with autism who has been overly preccupied with Dora and has gone through stress over liking a character that her same age peers have no interest in. This older Dora may offer her a gentler transition into more age appropriate interests. For all girls, it’s sad the way we push them from innocent characters like Dora into more “boy/fashion crazy” characters without much in between. Tween Dora would be a good addition for many youngsters… for many different reasons. And people who dislike her can certainly opt out of the situation with a flip of the remote.
I think that dora looks fine for 10 and up girls she can influence us just like the small dora and my mom thinks she look nice and all the parents out there that do not like her you just have to give her a chance and some of you have smaller kids and they still would have the small dora but stop thinking about your children and think about others that why 10 and up can watch the tween dora Also i want to say is that when tween dora only hade a shadow you wass already saying how bad she look and lats stop thinking about your children and thin about other I renee a 11 yerold girl want to say give tween dora a chance thankyou
Well.. I feel that the new dora is real cute and there is nothing wrong with her. I’m thirteen years old..and to tell the truth I find myself watchin dora sometimes.
There were A few times I got annoyed by how long she waited for you to reply to something she asked you . But I said that to say that some preteens do watch dora so you can’t just predict and say that like its a fact.
So I think that the new dora might just be a bit more interesting.She can’t stay five forever its about time she grew up..
I honestly think that the new Dora is ah-dorable! She’s dressed totally cute for a 10 year old. Yes, i’m only 3 years older than her, but I know in my heart that kids will love this, and maybe even attract the attention of some older children.
I think the new Dora Is sooo Cute! I am 12 years old and I miss watching Dora and can’t wait for the new one to come out because I’m not allowed to watch Hanna Montana and stuff because of the boy/girl situations and I think that the new Dora will Rock all tweens’ worlds and if she doesn’t well that’s their problem!
I think this is cute. What the heck is wrong with all those other parents? I’m a teen, but I still don’t like when people change cartoon characters. But this, I kinda like. It’s not like she’s wearing a shirt that shows her stomach, and she’s wearing a super short skirt. I honestly don’t see what’s wrong with it. My mom says she looks really cute as well. I’m not going to try and tell people how to think, but I believe this new Dora is super ahdorable. I really want to see the new show lol
Why do girls need to become more feminine when they get older? Why is Dora suddenly skinnier than any child can ever become? Shame on a beautiful Asian woman like you for sanctioning a doll who will change her eye & hair color! I had a 2nd grader 2 years ago whose mother dyed her hair blond so she would be more fashionable. Don’t we want our kids to think they are beautiful no matter what color her hair is or what her body type is? Did you ever hear of inner beauty?
One of the things that was cool about Dora was she is a soft tomboy who was accessible to boys as well as girly girls. She was no nonsense and wasn’t caught up with materialism.The new Dora is going to be interested in fashion & shopping, and as a reaction to the makeover, the image-makers now say she’ll get around to social issues. Excuse me, but the focus on Dora should still be exploration. Put her in real walking shoes. Make her look Latina again. She doesn’t need to conform. Here’s a news flash- the girls in the younger grades may wear dresses and lots of pink but my sixth grade students hardly wear pink at all.
I’d tap that.
I’m fourteen, and I like her new look.
What about boots????