The passion for acquiring dolls is not limited to children, but continues with some until advanced stages of life, turning into a whole world, and perhaps a future, that the “childhood doll” can draw.
Scientific research indicates that dolls provide psychological satisfaction and treatment for problems related to a sense of security and identity, but things go further for some, with many secrets, benefits, and stories.
These people still have their dolls
When she was a child, the Egyptian engineer, writer, and novelist Lamia Naguib asked her mother a question that she has not forgotten until now. She told Al Jazeera Net, “I wondered: Why don’t adults play with dolls and dolls, my mother? She told me when you grow up, you will find that you suddenly stopped owning them without prior introductions. You will not think about them, or want to play with them again, but I told her in disbelief, it is not possible.” This would never happen, and it did.”
Lamia’s passion continues until now. She does not prefer to mention how many years she is, but she knows very well that none of her friends have this hobby.
She says, “I own dolls and dolls in large quantities, both female and male, but I do not buy randomly. The issue is not just acquisition. For example, I do not agree to have my friends give me dolls or dolls. It is related to a certain feeling that controls me and drives me to buy a specific one, like that doll that I saw.” In one of the stores, and next to her were dozens that looked like her, but she was the only one who had one half-closed eye, as if she was injured or hurting. My heart warmed to her as if she needed me, and I bought them immediately. There are certain dolls that I feel are calling me to buy them, and I give them names as well, including For example, an orange, Abu Halmous and Anus, a ruby and a ruby, and Lulu and Lulu.”
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Lamia subjects her group to photo sessions, and is keen to buy accessories and clothes for them, an issue she explains by saying, “This is the way in which it is possible to return to childhood sometimes, or fly with them to another completely imaginary world, full of situations and endless stories of reality. I imagine situations in particular.” With comedic games, dolls for me are a source of endless joy and happiness. Some say that they satisfy people’s need for motherhood, but I do not see that they satisfy this aspect alone, as there are many other aspects that make me feel the world, its adornment, and the happiness possible in it.”
It may seem strange to some, but the surprising thing is that there is a general federation of doll clubs around the world, which is considered one of the largest amateur groups ever after the stamp collection, and includes approximately 16 thousand members from around the world.
Unexpected psychological benefits
Psychologists and neurologists divide doll collectors into two basic types: the first has a secure sense of self, and the second shows an insecure sense of self.
Therefore, the function performed by the dolls is different in the two cases. Neuroscience researcher and author of “Inside the Collector’s Mind,” Dr. Shirley M. Mueller, says that adults who collect dolls do so not only for pleasure, but also for a therapeutic purpose, as a group of psychological factors lie behind the matter. Those who have an insecure sense of self use This hobby is a way to deal with problems of self-doubt and unstable identity by creating other worlds, through which they can compensate for lost feelings and details in reality, and resolve internal conflicts and tensions.
As for the group that has a secure self, they use this hobby as a means to bear and tolerate negative events in life.
In their book “The Aesthetics of Emotion,” researchers at the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto, Angeli Ignacio and Gerald Kupchik, state that doll collectors with a secure sense of self use playing with dolls and building an imaginary world as a way to create and have fun.
For those who suffer from self-insecurity, their activities using dolls become a way to resolve internal tensions, engage in self-therapy, and heal from unresolved issues in their lives.
Research indicates a number of psychological benefits of collecting dolls, including:
- Relieve stress
- Sense of identity
- Stimulate the pleasure center
- Self-knowledge
Passion turned into work
Samia Eid’s passion for dolls and puppets began in kindergarten, but her passion later turned into “work,” and despite her graduation from the College of Engineering months ago, her childhood hobby charted a completely different path for her.
She told Al Jazeera, “I loved dolls as a game, but with time, things developed. Dolls became a means to realize my dreams of fashion design. This is how I began to implement the clothes I saw in old movies, and the ideas I had on dolls, and the results improved with time, so I began to acquire more toys.” Dolls change shape and dimensions on a regular basis. After finishing primary school, my interest in design and fashion increased, so I displayed my designs on the Internet to great surprises.”
She added, “I received huge encouragement to move from designing dolls for children, so I thought about developing myself further and having my own brand. I had already received many requests, so I began designing the dress for the children, along with a similar design for her doll, so the child would wear clothes similar to what her doll was wearing.” With time, I moved to detailing for adults.”
Samia began and continued her journey of complete self-learning. Thus, she mastered pattern drawing and detailing without a teacher, and she delved more with her dolls into the world of Victorian era dresses and the designs of the past two centuries. Her dolls began to carry her designs as models, bringing her more fans and those wishing to transfer the design from the world of dolls. To the human world.
As for Aya Salah, she was fond of dolls and old movies in her childhood, and she wished she could dress like those movies, so she began applying what she saw to dolls and dolls. Then she began learning the principles of fashion design, and began applying what she saw to old dolls that now had clothes. From “Vintage” with fine details.
When the 30-year-old Aya posted the photos on social media, fans showered her with requests to make clothes for the dolls, but the matter developed and she began to make the “wedding bride” so that the bride carried a doll wearing the same dress, which was a striking idea for many girls who wanted a different look. At their weddings.
Aya says to Al Jazeera Net, “The matter has developed to the point that I have started importing old dolls from abroad, and I find a way to convince people to buy dolls, through the pictures that I publish of my clothes and the dolls’ clothes, and the matter has turned into a project. Currently, I am working in the field of toys and detailing toys. My love is for dolls.” It still exists. If this was not my job, my life would be very depressing. This is the source of my happiness, when I gather brides, comb their hair, and give them new clothes. I also love photography.”
She concludes, “I have been working for more than 6 years, and I consider what I have achieved to be an achievement. Currently, I am seeking to own a store for dolls from the Victorian era, rare toys, and antique dolls. In fact, dolls and dolls are not just for children. Many doll collectors buy them for themselves and enjoy them before they are for their children.” .
