Objects can often tell stories about their owners or the individuals who interacted with them (Brown, 1998; Reid-Walsh, 2013). In this sense, the objects and artifacts from our childhoods may greatly contribute to our production and understanding of memories, and thus, our childhoods. The objects themselves can tell stories about their owners’ lives, as well as serve to prompt the telling of stories by the owner herself. In addition, when it comes to the objects of our childhoods, these can be used to express a sentiment, and more importantly the owner can attach sentiment to them. This paper explores the sentiments explored through the production and giving of artifacts of friendship, specifically friendship bracelets and best friend necklaces.
Through an analysis of the objects themselves and the feelings expressed by those who used them, this paper examines the role of symbols of girlhood friendship in females’ childhoods. It asks what meanings were attached to these artifacts and how they were used by girls. Further, it takes a look at the commodification of these artifacts in the present, by investigating what is available through stores for girls such as Claire’s, Justice, and Gymboree. By doing so this paper inquires if the commercialization of these sentiments of girlhood friendships has led to the degradation of the sentiments expressed by and/or attached to these artifacts.
About the presenterEmily Rose Aguilo-Perez
Emily is an Associate Professor of English (Children’s literature and culture) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania