So there’s a documentary that’s been circulating in the last few weeks called ‘Secrets of the Living Dolls’ that chronicles the lives of men who identify as ‘female maskers’, and dress up as life-size dolls. They don full latex suits called ‘Femskins’ complete with ‘lifelike’ breasts and vaginas-some even with pubic hair from the men inside the suits, to create a more realistic Doll. “Femskins” are actually made from the molds of two women- the top half is molded from a German woman, the bottom half from a Brazilian. One woman’s body did not suffice, evidently.
Throughout the documentary, many of the men use the terms ‘doll’, ‘female’, and ‘woman’, interchangeably, and that’s what makes this little-known subgroup so problematic.
I am overwhelmingly curious and fascinated by the many cultures and subcultures in our world. Even if I don’t agree with the way of life, I am always so intent on knowing where people come from and why they believe what they do. Only in trying to understand people different from ourselves can we find common ground. I must admit though that I have never been so spine-shudderingly creeped out by a documentary. And I have pretty much watched the complete works of Louis Theroux, who documents the lives of a whole range of colourful people, including members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church. But in my mind, none of them compare to this kind of fucked-up.
It must be stressed that living dolls are not categorically identifiable as “cross dressers” or trans. However, while most describe it as a harmless hobby, I can’t help but be completely outraged by it. These are not Cosplayers, who dress up as characters from movies or TV shows. In the lives of many of these men, dolls have replaced real-life women, or are regarded as superior to them. One man in featured in the documentary, John, describes his hobby as the emulation of a “sexy woman”. The very essence of a woman is reduced to her sexual allure, which isn’t a brand new concept, but it does take it to a whole new level. So of course I have a problem with this. However, what I find most abhorrent about this “hobby” is what these men consider to be sexually alluring. They seem to be under the impression that the stares they attract when they walk down the street are ones of pure lust. To be fair, if I saw a Doll walking down the street, I would probably stare too: in horror at the inanimate object come to life. The expressionless, staring faces mounted atop a moving body, covered in either tons of jewellery and layers of clothing, or conversely bikini triangles over latex boobs, are truly unnerving to see. To these men, this is how women should ideally look. Yes, they look like dolls. Blow up dolls.
Seventy-year-old Robert, who transforms into ‘Cherry’, a buxom bouncy blonde doll, epitomizes the notion that the Dolls represent and replace real-life women. He marvels at his reflection in the mirror, noting that if he saw an actual woman who looked this “exciting” in the street, he would pursue her. He regards himself with deliriously orgasmic excitement, gasping and sighing heavily at his reflection. He notes that women he’s dated in their 50s and 60s are “in good shape for their age” but concludes breathily that “they just don’t look anything like this…and it’s very difficult to date when you have this to come home to.”
So to Robert, a brainless, passive latex suit is more interesting than a real life 60 year old woman, who yes, probably doesn’t have the most perky breasts, but is hilarious and well-read, or has travelled the world, or loves others with a generous spirit. Why does this not surprise me?
Although these men are creating a character of sorts, a professed extension of self, they have completely neglected to attach a brain to it. There’s no acknowledgement that a woman (as a human being) should be capable of complex thoughts and emotions, of facial expressions, for God’s sake.
I am all for expressing one’s true inner self, and if that happens to be as a person born as a man dressing in female clothing or undergoing surgery to make the outside match the perceived internal gender, then so be it. But Living Dolls are not expressing “an extension of self”. No, they are creating a gross misrepresentation of the female sex for the pleasure of the men inside the suits: brainless, ageless, expressionless, passive “beauties” who serve to undermine the basic fact that women are people too.
Perhaps it was the fault of the documentary for not delving deeply enough into the motivations for female masking. However, with the information presented, I believe that the subculture of Living Dolls speaks to a broader societal problem of masculine expectations. But surely there is a better, more systemic way to escape the throes of masculinity. Embrace the supposed “feminine side” by being in touch with emotions and communicating honestly. Hell, chuck on a dress and some make up. But don’t don a latex mask and idealize it as the sexiest, most perfect kind of woman. It’s degrading.
Critiquing Culture 