D O L L S
Dolls made by independent American doll artists who create one-of-a-kind or limited edition dolls are usually completely crafted in America. However, I challenged myself to think of American companies who mass produce dolls that are completely manufactured in America. Sadly, I could not think of one.
Most American products, including the dolls we collect and buy for our children are usually manufactured offshore, outsourced to places like China in an effort to decrease the cost of manufacture and possibly, but not always, reduce the price we pay. I'm all for lowered prices but not at the expense of eliminating American jobs. Outsourcing reduces American jobs whether the outsourced product is food we eat or dolls we collect. In addition to job elimination, the outsourced products are often inferior compared to American made products.
I recall when My Twinn dolls were manufactured in the US and the superior quality of the original American- made dolls compared to the now China-made dolls. The exampled My Twinn, American-made dolls' vinyl is heavier, and the hair quality is more superior than the China-made dolls. There is also a noticeable difference in the former American-made Lee Middleton dolls compared to those made in China.
Recently, I heard a news story about US airlines outsourcing airplane repairs! Where will it end or will it ever end? Americans need jobs and need to be compensated for performing them based on their skills and job performance. We, Americans, need to support businesses and doll artists who produce American-made dolls and products.
Will I discontinue buying dolls that are not completely American made? How can I, if I continue to collect? But to counter the problem, I have and will continue to make a concerted effort to support doll artists whose dolls are completely made in America.
Can you think of doll artists and doll companies who make dolls solely in America ? Will you support them?
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