Inside the world of 'reborn' doll lovers

Why some women turn to hyper-realistic dolls for comfort: ‘They don’t grow up, leave you or die’

Is it healthy to have a reborn doll?

Role playing itself is an essential part of being human. Children play with dolls or treasure their blankets as transitional objects to represent the parent, before eventually separating from caretakers.

Some coping mechanisms are adaptive and move our life forward — hugging a doll to de-stress or to keep the memory of a late child alive, sharing a love of dolls with those close to us — and others are maladaptive, used to avoid real relationships or keep grief at bay. Loss is something we all have to negotiate.

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Chris Watts has sent 'racy love letters' from prison after murdering family

Chris Watts is currently serving five life sentences in prison for the brutal murder of his pregnant wife and two young daughters — but that apparently hasn't stopped him racking up plenty of admirers.

It turns out the killer, who was the subject of Netflix's true crime documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door has been receiving 'racy' love letters from women who have fallen in love with him, despite the murder charges.

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Kim Kardashian cries after son Saint sees ad for alleged sex tape

While Kardashian’s specific predicament isn’t too probable, many children are curious about their parents’ past and if the information isn’t favorable, it can be an awkward — but not impossible — conversation. “It’s first important to understand the age, maturity level, and developmental capability of the child asking the question,. That way, you avoid concepts that children may not be able to metabolize.”

So make sure you truly understand what your child is asking. For example, Kardashian’s son may have been more curious about why his mom’s photo appeared during his Roblox game rather than what it meant. 

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Jessie James Decker 'treated' herself to breast implants. Here's why her honesty rocks.

Posts like these integrate the idea that women can be maternal and sexy, especially as the average human lifespanis longer than ever before and with celebrity moms like Paulina Porizkova and Jennifer Lopez leading the charge.

It's healthy for mothers to see the physical work it often takes to look like a celebrity - being honest about this piece of motherhood so women don't buy into the fantasy of perfection.

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Kourtney Kardashian's Boyfriend Travis Barker Tattooed her Name on his Chest. Is the New Couple 'Cursed?'

Most of Kardashian's commenters admired the design but some couldn't hold back. "Well that escalated quickly," wrote one, with others adding, "Way too soon" and "You'll regret this." Someone wrote, "…y'all just [cursed] yourselves," referring to a superstition that name tattoos preface breakups. ⁠

There are risks to making such a permanent gesture during courtship. Becoming a couple is a developmental stage of a healthy relationship and a name tattoo forecloses the ambiguity and mystery of a newly-developing bond. Couples with ink dreams should feel comfortable with the relationship's pace. It could be difficult to dial it down later.⁠

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Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton: Why People Are Cringe-Watching Old Interviews

Media treatment of women can also be attributed to herd mentality, the instinct to conform to group behavior, especially when older white men, such as in media, have decided cultural norms. Asking the 'tough questions' became a power trip and a rationalization for humiliating people for ratings. But now you have people on social media with a voice. Me Too has better identified predatory behavior by "breaking our collective denial."

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Salma Hayek, Elizabeth Hurley and Paulina Porizkova Are Stripping Down On Social Media. Why Is That Triggering?

Why are some triggered by celebrities in bikinis? There is a fine line between jealousy, which is a competitive or hopeful feeling (‘Maybe I can look like that’) and envy, which drives our impulse to destroy. (‘You have something I want and there’s no hope of me getting it’). That last emotion drives angry social media comments.

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We Can't Cancel Love — But Should We Cancel Weddings? Experts Weigh In.

“Weddings are part of our evolutionary heritage — historically, they’re less about the couple themselves and more about uniting a community and committing to ensure the survival of our species. Today there’s also a type of ‘princess culture’ associated with weddings that doesn’t simply disappear because there’s a pandemic.

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CDC Advises Retail Employees: Don't Argue with Anti-Maskers

The agency might classify mask wars as a public health crisis or associated health threat to COVID-19, as it does mental health. Its mission statement is to “protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S.” and says it “conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

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Pornography Threatens a Marriage

A couple struggles to overcome a threat to their marriage. Sheryl and Paul Giesbrect are preparing to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary. The sweethearts cherish their life together, which began when they met while attending a Christian university.

It's where they found religion and each other. Today, Paul is a minister in California and Sheryl broadcasts spiritual messages. Both counsel troubled couples, but now they find themselves in need of counseling. Their marriage holds a secret, one the 50-year-old parents of two say rattled their union.

For 10 years, Paul kept the fact that he was addicted to Internet pornography a secret from Sheryl.

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How to Deal When Your Guy Is Best Friends With a Woman

You trust your partner. Honestly, you do. But there’s one little thing that drives you batty: his female friend. Their friendship is platonic—hell, she even has a boyfriend—but you’re just not comfortable with it. You feel petty, especially because he’s assured you that there’s nothing going on, but you can’t shake the feeling that irks you.

“If you can’t think clearly, consult your sibling or some well-intentioned friends—preferably those in healthy relationships—for their objective opinions.”

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Why we care so much about Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall’s falling out

Dr. Bethany Marshall contributes to Yahoo Lifestyle's article on Sex and the City co-stars Kim Cattrell and Sarah Jessica Park's falling out. 

“Identifying with other people is how we learn and locate our place in life and the show provided examples, solutions, and happy endings for people navigating friendship and dating,” she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “The show was a cultural awakening and to learn there was trouble behind the scenes can feel disillusioning or even like a betrayal.”

Read the entire article here!

© Copyright Dr. Bethany Marshall 2022