My research site, webkinz.com is all aout identity. Children all over know what the "W" on the foot of an animal means that it's a webkinz. As soon as my daughter sees that "W" she knows that the person who has that stuffed animal share a similar identity. They both are interested in webkinz. Webkinz also want you to know all you have to do is register with their website and every animal you buy, which in my daughters mind she is the animal while online, they have a home and belong with the other furry friends. Every webkinz is special there. Every webkinz recieves a name chosen by you and a birth certificate.
You form different relationships with each animal. The animals have to be cared for and loved, even taken to the vet. As my daughter dresses and accessorieses with her animal she feels that each one likes different things and enjoys different games. I understand that children have a vivid imaggination but thats who webkinz are geares for. It indentifies with what the children want and gives parental controls and things parents want for safety on the website. Every webkinz online has there on role in the family/game. They each have there own belonging and expectations that children make for them and the website allows them to fantasize a little more.
Webkinz are a good form of interpellation. Interpellaton is when "individuals are compelled, through a mix of individual psychological and social imperatives, to identify with social roles offered them", accoring to Althusser. Children playing with webkinz is a social role that is offered to them when they get the webkinz. The children get to play on line and can play with thier friends or by themselves with these animals. My daughter loves every webkinz she has, her friends all love webkinz also, it's like a competition of who has more and which was you have.
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