Reborn Dolls In Brazil Raise Concerns

Brazil's Artificial Babies: How Lifelike Dolls Ignited a Political Firestorm

A peculiar cultural phenomenon involving incredibly lifelike infant figurines has unexpectedly erupted into a major political and social controversy across Brazil. These meticulously crafted creations, which people call ‘reborns,’ have transitioned from a niche hobby into the subject of nationwide debate, sparking dozens of legislative proposals and a fierce online backlash. This sudden notoriety has left collectors and artists facing public ridicule and threats, while politicians seize the moment for their own purposes. The strange saga of the reborns reveals deep-seated societal anxieties and the potent influence of social media in shaping national conversations, all set against a backdrop of significant political turbulence.

A Nation Distracted

Major national political dramas are unfolding, including one ex-president facing a trial over an alleged coup attempt, while the sitting head of state confronts the lowest approval ratings of his three terms. Yet, a considerable portion of the Brazilian public has found its attention captivated by a different matter entirely. The sudden ubiquity of extremely realistic infant dolls has been astounding. These creations have appeared everywhere from social media feeds and television soap operas to the very halls of the nation’s legislatures. The intense focus on these inanimate objects provides a curious counterpoint to the grave political and economic issues facing the country.

The Legislative Uproar

The controversy has prompted a flurry of legislative activity. Lawmakers have presented approximately three dozen legislative proposals throughout the nation, all targeting these particular figurines. The proposed laws are varied and often prohibitive. They include measures that would deny them access to government medical facilities or stop collectors from asserting special privileges in lines for state-provided services. This legislative reaction has been swift and widespread. The sheer volume of bills presented within a brief span is a testament to the dolls' sudden and impactful emergence into the public consciousness.

Viral Storm and Public Ridicule

The legislative push followed a deluge of online content that catapulted the reborn doll community into the national spotlight. Online clips showing hobbyists performing routine actions like washing their dolls, putting them to sleep, or taking them out in strollers gained immense traction. These posts frequently attracted negative reactions and derision. The ridicule took various forms, including one parody rap track that prompted listeners to physically assault the dolls on public roads. This online hostility created a toxic environment for enthusiasts, turning their pastime into a source of public scorn.

A Shocking Escalation

The entire affair took a frightening turn on June 6. In a shocking incident, a man struck an actual four-month-old infant on the head. He later asserted that he had confused the living child with one of the inanimate figurines. The baby was reportedly unharmed, and the man was released on bail. This event marked a frightening real-world consequence of the moral panic, illustrating how vitriolic online discourse can spill over into tangible harm. The incident amplified the controversy, adding a layer of genuine fear to the already contentious debate and providing further ammunition for those calling for regulation.

Image Credit - Freepik

Political Theatre and Questionable Motives

A professor of anthropology and political science at FESPSP university, Isabela Kalil, stated she could not think of another topic that prompted so many legislative bills at various governmental tiers in such a condensed timeframe. However, a more detailed examination shows that the proposed statutes are addressing activities that are not actually occurring. To date, authorities have confirmed just a single incident where a person tried to bring a figurine into a state-run medical center, and this reportedly involved an individual diagnosed with a psychological condition. This suggests the legislative frenzy may be more about political posturing than addressing a genuine societal problem.

The Right-Wing Connection

The political dimension of the controversy is hard to ignore. The news outlet UOL noted that right-leaning and extreme-right politicians proposed every bill related to reborn dolls during the month of May. Kalil, who also leads a research initiative studying Brazil's far-right movement, suggests this is a deliberate strategy. She argues that these politicians often seize on trending topics to propose laws, regardless of their practicality, simply to gain attention. This tactic appears particularly useful at a time when the right-leaning political faction is in disarray.

A Crisis of Leadership

The political turmoil surrounding Jair Bolsonaro has created a vacuum of leadership on the Brazilian right. The nation's most prominent far-right personality, former head of state Jair Bolsonaro, is currently undergoing a trial for his alleged involvement in a coup. Additionally, a previous verdict from the electoral court already prohibits him from participating in the elections scheduled for the following year. With his political future uncertain, there is a scramble among right-wing politicians to capture the public's attention and establish themselves as potential successors. The debate over the dolls becomes a proxy battleground for larger political ambitions.

A Calculated Distraction

Kalil added that this situation therefore contains an aspect of capturing public focus and advancing a particular set of beliefs, particularly as the right-leaning political faction experiences a crisis surrounding the Bolsonaro trial and uncertainty about who will take his place as its new figurehead. Instead of grappling with the serious allegations against Bolsonaro or articulating a coherent political vision, they can engage in a culture war over a relatively trivial issue. The dolls, in this sense, have become unwitting pawns in a larger political game.

Cross-Spectrum Criticism

While right-wing politicians have been the primary drivers of the legislative push, the denigration and mockery on social networks originated from people across the political spectrum. Kalil observed that individuals on the left have also participated in the online ridicule. This widespread condemnation suggests that the issue taps into broader societal anxieties and prejudices that transcend partisan lines. The controversy is not simply a product of right-wing opportunism but also reflects a more general discomfort with the hobby and the women who practice it. This bipartisan ridicule has intensified the suffering of the collectors.

The Human Cost of Controversy

Ultimately, the individuals who suffer most are the women who constitute the bulk of the artisans, enthusiasts, and creators of content on this topic. They have found themselves at the centre of a storm of abuse. They face not only ridicule but also direct threats of violence. The online harassment has taken a severe emotional toll, turning a beloved hobby into a source of fear and distress. These women, who are simply pursuing a personal interest, have been unfairly targeted and demonised in a controversy that has spiralled far beyond their control.

Image Credit - Freepik

Voices from the Community

Larissa Vedolin, a 25-year-old creator and collector who operates online under the pseudonym Emily Reborn, said she is enduring constant intimidation via social platforms. She reported receiving messages from undisclosed accounts with comments saying they were eager to get a weapon and discover her location in public. This level of vitriol is a stark illustration of the dangers faced by those caught in the crossfire of this moral panic. Vedolin's experience is not unique; many in the community have been subjected to similar forms of harassment.

Seeking Understanding

The ‘reborn community’ has been attempting to figure out the source of this severe opposition against a hobby that has been present in Brazil since the early 2000s, at the very least. A general agreement exists that a TikTok video started the most recent cascade of events. The video, uploaded by an enthusiast, described how someone had branded her as "insane" for bringing a doll to a retail complex. This seemingly minor incident appears to have been the spark that ignited a firestorm of public debate and condemnation.

The Tipping Point

Not long after, a separate clip showing a doll receiving "care" in a hospital setting became extremely popular. While the hobbyist later clarified that it was merely a role-playing scenario, this did not prevent numerous shares that depicted the event as authentic. This misrepresentation played a key role in escalating the controversy, transforming a niche hobby into a perceived social menace and providing the pretext for the legislative crackdown that followed.

A Misunderstood Reality

Bianca Miranda, a 27-year-old artist and enthusiast, states that during her fourteen years inside the reborn subculture, she has never met a single person who regards the figurines as genuine human infants. She declared that she has always recognized they were dolls and consistently handled them in that manner, and now she comprehends the immense affection and labor that goes into crafting one. Her perspective, shared by many in the community, is that the collectors are not delusional but are hobbyists who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship involved.

The Art of Creation

Creating a single doll, with a price ranging from £200 to £2,500, is a meticulous and time-consuming process. These are not mass-produced toys but handcrafted works of art. Completing one might require several weeks based on its level of detail—for example, whether an artist paints the hair or implants each follicle individually. Artists painstakingly paint the vinyl or silicone to create realistic skin tones, complete with mottling and veins. The cost reflects the high level of artistry and labour involved.

The Media's Gaze

YouTuber Chico Barney, who recorded a gathering of collectors in São Paulo for his film "Reborn Babies Don’t Cry," observed that the immediate impulse of a typical person online today is to locate an object for their outrage. He explained that they attended a reborn figurine event with an unprejudiced perspective to witness what takes place there. Upon their arrival, he was taken aback by how completely conventional everything felt. He described the scene as just a group of individuals sharing thoughts on an activity that brings them happiness. His experience offers a stark contrast to the sensationalised portrayal of collectors.

Pathologising Women's Hobbies

For anthropologist Kalil, the uproar also exposes a tendency to treat women's activities as a medical problem, as though possessing or engaging with these lifelike dolls is indicative of a mental health issue. She commented that grown men can amass action figures or immerse themselves in video games without anyone questioning it. Yet, she feels, grown women are denied the simple pleasure of their own pastimes. The reborn doll controversy, in her view, is a clear example of this gendered double standard.

Image Credit - Freepik

Art, Not Toys

The creator Vedolin insists that these items "are not playthings, but artistic creations." This distinction is crucial for many in the community, who see themselves as patrons and creators of a unique art form. However, participating in her craft has acquired distressing qualities that creators had not previously experienced. The joy of creation has been overshadowed by the bitterness of public condemnation. The controversy has not only threatened the reputation of the community but has also stifled the creative expression of its artists.

The Emotional Toll on Artists

The relentless online abuse has had a devastating impact on the artists who create these dolls. Vedolin concluded by saying that she is aware of creators who have spent entire days in tears because they find it unbearable to check their online profiles and see insults on every video and image they upload. In her view, this whole response is rooted in animosity—individuals are just searching for a target for their resentment. This emotional toll is a significant, yet often overlooked, aspect of the controversy.

Psychological Perspectives

Psychologists offer various perspectives on the phenomenon of collecting these dolls. Viviane Cunha, a psychologist, suggests that the hobby is only a disorder if it causes "social, emotional or economic harm." She links the interest in reborns to a broader search for emotional connection, potentially exacerbated by the social isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Research into adult doll collecting has identified two main groups: those with a secure sense of self, who use the dolls for creative expression, and those with an insecure sense of self, who may use them for self-therapy.

Therapeutic Uses

The therapeutic potential of these dolls is a complex and often misunderstood aspect of the hobby. For some, they offer emotional comfort and a way to cope with grief, such as the loss of a child or empty nest syndrome. They can also be used in therapy for conditions like anxiety or dementia. The act of caring for a doll can provide a sense of purpose and routine, offering a non-judgmental form of companionship. However, collectors are quick to point out that they are aware the dolls are not real, which is precisely what makes the hobby a source of stress relief.

A Divided Response

While many have condemned the hobby, others have come to its defence. The Rio de Janeiro city council initially passed a bill to create a "Reborn Stork Day" to honour the artists. However, the city's mayor, Eduardo Paes, ultimately vetoed the proposal. This divided response reflects the broader societal ambivalence towards the dolls. Some, like congresswoman Talíria Petrone, have argued that lawmakers should focus on more pressing issues. Her sentiment, "If someone wants to have a doll, let them," captures the frustration of many who see the controversy as a manufactured crisis.

An Uncertain Future

As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of the reborn doll community in Brazil remains uncertain. The intense public scrutiny and legislative pressure have created a hostile environment. While some, like shop owner Daniela Baccan, have seen an increase in online demand and foot traffic, they have also had to increase security measures due to safety concerns. The debate has raised important questions about gender norms, political priorities, and the power of viral culture. For the women at the centre of the storm, the hope is that the moral panic will eventually subside.