“Nuôi Dạy Con Cái Bằng Búp Bê” – A Modern Trend in China
In recent times, the trend of “raising children with dolls” in China has gained immense popularity. Xiong Yuelei, a graduate student, bought her first doll at the age of 31. Within a year, Xiong became an active member of an online community predominantly consisting of women who consider their dolls as their own children.
Xiong named her “daughter” Lucine, a one-year-old with light blue hair and a perpetual smile. Despite Lucine being a girl, Xiong drew inspiration for her appearance from a famous male artist. Xiong even spent money to upgrade Lucine’s skeletal structure so that she could stand and assume different positions, such as crossing her legs or tilting her head.
“This skeletal upgrade was meant to make my daughter look cuter,” Xiong shared, explaining how many others believe that it gives the doll a “soul.”
This is just one aspect of the unique playstyle displayed by the majority of the community members. They dress their dolls in specific styles and beautify them to create their unique personalities. Like any parent, they take great joy in receiving compliments for their “children.”
Community members frequently share images of their dolls as the main characters in everyday scenes, such as sitting in a cafe, traveling, or attending concerts. Xiong, who often posts pictures of Lucine, said, “I want people to see these photos and interact with you. I really enjoy that feeling.”
For some, the act of capturing beautiful photos serves as evidence of their exceptional parenting skills. In fact, owners tend to favor dolls that receive more interaction from the community.
Toffee, another doll, even has its own fan club on the Douban social network. “I think Toffee is adorable, and its charm is enhanced by the likes and compliments it receives. At first, I thought it was just a cute doll, but other ‘mothers’ breathed life into it,” one person said.
An unimaginable aspect of this “parenting” practice is that these dolls are enrolled in schools just like regular children. Hoa Xuan Kindergarten in Beijing promises to provide companionship and psychological counseling during playtime, ensuring that the doll parents are reassured about their “children” not feeling lonely or scared.
It is worth noting that doll owners are primarily young university students or young professionals, often single women who have chosen not to have children. “Many of those interviewed said they were considering not getting married or having children,” Xiong said.
The cost of designing and manufacturing these dolls ranges from 40 to 70 RMB per doll (approximately 150,000 to 300,000 VND) for quantities of 50 to 100 dolls at a time. Some individuals even choose to customize dolls according to their preferences, which can cost between 2,000 and 3,000 RMB (7 to 11.5 million VND).
However, very few share their interests with their parents or older relatives, as playing with dolls instead of preparing to have children could be seen as a “bad omen.” When Xiong learned that her mother, who lives in another city, planned to visit her home before the Lunar New Year, she spent an entire evening packing the dolls and hiding them in her wardrobe, fearing her mother’s disapproval.
Dr. Huang Weizi from the University of Macau stated that the world of doll parenting differs from the pressure of raising real children. Every doll is always dressed beautifully, and doll mothers praise each other, creating a sense of satisfaction for everyone. According to Huang, these young women primarily yearn for acceptance, recognition, and belonging. “It is precisely because this generation may have grown up in an overly harsh parenting environment,” Huang explained.
Dr. Huang also observed that most interviewees are in transitional stages of their lives, and doll parenting helps alleviate life’s pressures, making them feel less lonely. The dolls serve as emotional vessels and a means for them to connect with the outside world.