In an effort to keep his eight year old daughter quiet, a Chinese man bought her about two dozen Barbie dolls. The plan backfired because he started hearing the protests from his wife instead. The man was so desperate to please his daughter he spent 5,000 yuan ($625) on 10 school bags and 20 Barbie dolls. The father's shopping sprees ended up frightening his daughter who stopped making gift demands but the wasted money angered his wife who threatened to divorce him.

Researchers at the University of Bath found that some young girls will mutilate and torture their Barbie dolls, reports The Associated Press. Coming from the university's marketing and psychology departments, the researchers questioned 100 children about their feelings toward a number of products. The girls had the strongest reaction to Barbie. Children reported feeling "rejection, hatred and violence," says Agnes Naim, one of the researchers.

London, England (AHN) Britney Spears wants her family's likeness turned into dolls.