Kerby Anderson

Last month, President Trump stirred up social media when he seemed to be proposing a two-doll limit. He recognized there might be some economic pain associated with his tariffs so he reasoned, “Maybe children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know, and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.”

I’m not sure how dolls got into the discussion. But I understand part of his motivation. Americans own lots of stuff. In the two books I have written on economics, I have a section on consumerism and materialism.

But I’m not so sure most girls in America have lots and lots of dolls. According to one market research firm, retail sales in 2024 of dolls and doll accessories was $2.7 billion. That may sound like a lot until you factor in that there are 19 million girls in the U.S. under the age of ten. This ends up being an average of $142 in sales per girl.

Barbie dolls with accessories can cost $25-40. An American Girl doll can cost $125-135, with accessories adding $100-200. Of course, you can get a doll for much less at a garage sale. That’s where we got our granddaughter an American Girl doll and an American Girl horse the doll could ride. I think she liked the horse more. Which is why she is at “horse camp” this week. For those of you in other parts of the country, horse camp is a “thing” here in Texas.

Anyway, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that girls in this country have too many dolls. Of course, you may know a young girl who has too many, but she is probably the exception. There is no need, Mr. President, to implement a two-doll limit anytime soon.