Brazil enacts 30 laws amid reborn doll moral panic

Brazil is experiencing a heated political and social debate over hyper-realistic "reborn" baby dolls, prompting the introduction of around 30 bills nationwide aimed at restricting their use, including proposals to deny these dolls access to public healthcare and prevent collectors from using them to gain priority in public service queues. This legislative surge, primarily driven by right-wing and far-right lawmakers, appears to be more about political theater and distraction amid former president Jair Bolsonaro's ongoing trial for an attempted coup, rather than responses to widespread public safety concerns. The controversy intensified after viral social media videos showed collectors treating the dolls like real children and a disturbing incident where a man mistakenly slapped a real infant he thought was a doll. Despite the backlash and legislative attempts, experts note that actual cases justifying such laws are minimal, with only one confirmed incident involving a woman with psychiatric issues trying to bring a doll to a hospital. The reborn doll community, composed mostly of women artisans and collectors, faces significant social ridicule and threats, although many emphasize the dolls' therapeutic benefits and emotional comfort. Critics argue the focus should shift to more pressing national issues, while supporters defend the right to enjoy this hobby without harassment or undue legal restrictions.