Really, Time Magazine? That’s all you’ve got for us? With all the real news happening daily? And Mattel, what’s going on — revenue down?
Last week we learned that Barbie would be given a more “realistic” body — three new body types, in fact. Beginning in March, we’ll see petite, curvy, and tall Barbies on store shelves, in addition to the original model. Are girls really going to buy these dolls, or are we just doing it to make ourselves feel better?
Go down any doll aisle in any big box store and you will find every shape, look, color, and style out there. It’s overwhelming, quite frankly. I recently took my 2-year-old daughter down said aisle. She looked around a bit, then headed straight toward Barbie and plopped her in our cart. “I want that one, Mama.” No problem, kiddo.
I mean, I grew up playing with the “old” Barbie. And I’m now a (relatively) normal, high-functioning adult with no body issues to speak of. Was that Barbie really so bad? People think she’ll give girls a negative body image. Since her look is so unattainable, girls will try to emulate it. Can one little doll really do so much damage?
I get Barbie’s body is not the size of the average American. But neither is Cinderella’s or Ariel’s or Jasmine’s — and we’re not talking about them. They’re make believe. Fiction, really. They’re not supposed to be real. I mean, boys play with Superman, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk — and they’re all jacked and six-packed. You don’t see them coming out with average-looking superheroes, now do you?
So, is this really front page news? Even Time caveats their front page with a quote from Barbie: “Now can we stop talking about my body?” Uh, yeah. We can. I have. Now stop putting it on your cover and let’s move on.
What do you ladies think? Agree, disagree? I know this is a hot topic right now. Post your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to hear them.
A doll cannot have a significant affect on a person’s view of themselves and to say that it is at fault for self esteem issues is like saying gun’s are the problem, not the people. It is always easier for society to blame an inanimate object rather than ourselves. My girls love Barbie and all of the other Disney characters that would look very abnormal if they were real life. The difference is that no way am I going to let any of life’s influences over shadow my ability as a parent and as a Father to show my 3 little girls the love, attention and acceptance they need from me, because that is my responsibility as a person in society to ensure I raise kids who are respectful, intelligent and mature to be able to contribute positively too society. Barbie does a lot to promote good behavior and friendship as well but no one credits her for that? So lets stop blaming the dolls, and the guns, and the video games and the movies and whatever else is easy to use as a scapegoat, and focus on teaching our children right from wrong, and respect and values about what is actually important in the world.