Baby simulators scare women

2008-09-07 13:03

Oldenburg, Germany - Baby simulators disturb a young woman's confidence and delay her chances of becoming pregnant, according to an empirical study at the University of Oldenburg.

In the study, women were surveyed before and after being asked to care for a baby doll with an integrated computer designed to give them their first contact with a baby.

The project was rigged so that the girls would fail in their attempts to care for the simulators making them think twice about having a baby, said Professor Anke Spies. The girls were overwhelmed, publicly shamed and feelings insecure.

The experiences forced the girls to question some of their basic assumptions about parenting, the Aerzte Magazine quoted Spies as saying. Once they had experienced the US-manufactured baby simulator, the girls were no longer eager to become pregnant early.

- DPA