Reborn Dolls, Real Politics

The podcast details the phenomenon of "reborn dolls," which are hyper-realistic baby dolls that have generated both online fascination and political discussion in Brazil. These dolls have inspired influencers to create viral videos depicting scenes like birth simulations and strolls in shopping malls.

One key issue is the dolls' presence in the legislative sphere. In Rio de Janeiro, a bill is pending to honor the creators of these lifelike dolls. Conversely, lawmakers elsewhere in Brazil have debated imposing fines on individuals who seek medical assistance for such dolls, following a viral video purportedly showing a woman taking one to a hospital. Some legislators have even brought the dolls directly into legislative chambers. For instance, a state lawmaker from Amazonas, Joao Luiz, brought a doll to the State House to propose a ban on reborn dolls receiving care in the state's public health system, although local media reported no such cases had ever been recorded by health authorities. Congresswoman Talíria Petrone has criticized the attention given to this issue by her colleagues, urging a focus on more significant matters.

The dolls serve various purposes, often being used for grief therapy or parenting practice, with long-time collectors like Berenice Maria finding them to be a source of emotional comfort. Maria emphasized her right to take her dolls out in public, despite negative reactions.
The controversy has also brought about economic and safety considerations. Daniela Baccan, co-owner of a reborn doll shop, noted that the dolls range in price from 700 to nearly 10,000 reais (about $124 to $1,800 USD). Due to the rising controversy, safety concerns for doll shops are increasing, leading to measures like added security cameras, even as online demand and in-store traffic have grown.