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In 2005 there were an estimated three-quarter of a million homeless persons residing in the United States according to USA Today. In 2007, just prior to the largest economic downturn in our most recent history, the homeless population decreased to about 644 thousand. That is according to reports from National Alliance to End Homelessness. Most reports expect that the estimate now would be much higher than estimated 2007 levels due to the increase of mortgage foreclosures, lay-offs, and multi-billion dollar corporations failing.  Children ask the darndest things, don’t they? Daddy, why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly? What keeps the moon up in the sky? Why is that man living in a box? Every parent dreads getting asked the questions we cannot answer. Every parent dreads the question society doesn’t seem to broach. With over 1.5 million autistic persons living in the United States, it is pretty likely that a child will have an experience with another who suffers from autism. Depending on where people live is greatly influential of whether their children will ever really encounter a homeless family or person. We teach about acceptance and the ability to cope, to let the children understand that it is okay to be different, that just because they are afflicted with something doesn’t make the person any more or less than their neighbor. Yet, when a company who makes toys for children tries to do something which brings out a child’s understanding, which promotes their ability to understand why things happen, they get chastised because it might promote the reasoning that it is okay to be homeless. That is a crass thing to worry about. Instead, one might fear others will turn even more of a blind eye to the homeless as time goes on. Children learn by playing, by interacting with their surroundings and by role-playing. Much like any other beast, humans teach themselves when they are young. The makers of the American Girl doll series realize this and have made many different creations purported to be from many different nations across the globe. One of their most current series, Gwen, is a homeless child. GENIUS! Never mind that every child who comes in contact with Gwen will ask the multitude of questions about what homeless is, what it feels like to be homeless, why would anyone want to be…, it is obvious what this will do, they will become aware. Isn’t that what every parent wants from their children, to be empathetic and understand the world around them? The only objection about Gwen should be that this hasn’t been done before. Perhaps the $95 price tag offends some people, as though because the doll is homeless, it should be cheaper than the other dolls, but it shouldn’t be offensive. The dolls are really well made and have lasted for many years. And while the proceeds do not support the homeless, the Company does donate to HomeAid. Add into account the story behind the doll. It isn’t to poke fun or demoralize, rather, to portray how a friend should stand up for another. Chrissa, the accompanying or matched doll, according to the stories each doll comes with, stands up and defends Gwen in school against someone who is bullying Gwen. Still think this doll is a bad idea? Again, children learn by playing. If they learn to defend their friends against bullying and understand that homeless is not a communicable disease but rather a condition a person is subjected to for some misfortune, perhaps our children will really make this world a better place.  image: American Girl “Gwen” http://www.homeaid.org/shapeimage_20_link_0