Every little girl has come in contact with a Barbie doll since they were first introduced in 1945. Since than, Barbie has taught those many little girls that they could become whatever they want to be when they grow up, from doctors and dentist to astronauts and Olympic athletes. But there is something that isn’t obvious that Barbie has taught these little girls, which is how females should look.
It is often overlooked theses days when you go down the toy isle. There are so many other toys that are far worse when it comes to teaching little girls about self appearance. But it is and has always been there with Barbie but isn’t that noticeable when first glance. Of course when you first see Barbie in her bright pink box you are atomically are drawn to her. With her stylish outfit and what ever career she might have at that moment. But after looking at the fabulous woman that she is, you realize that she isn’t such a great role model after all. With her plastic tan glow and her huge breast and her teeny tiny waist, it is hard to think that she is a good role model for girls. Like it isn’t shown enough in the media today with celebrity woman that are to thin and that have huge breast. Not only does Barbie represent an unfortunate outcome on body image but also how she dresses. Barbie has always worn outfits that have shown her curves, but it seems like her outfits have gotten smaller and smaller through out the years. Although it doesn’t help that the fashion world plays a huge part in that. From skirts that are super short to tops that show too much skin and not enough coverage. It is showing these little girls if your not skinny and if your don’t have perfect skin and if you don’t have huge boobs than your not going to be a great career woman after all. But it is also telling these little girls that if you don’t dress so skimpy either you won’t land your dream career. When you think about it, in reality many female doctors and dentist and astronauts that you know or have come across don’t look like your typical Barbie doll. They aren’t big breasted or super skinny. They are what we “Americans” call average. Don’t get me wrong Barbie compared too many of the other dolls out there in the toy isle today is a great roll model to little girls. But that still doesn’t change how little girls view Barbie and how she relates to themselves.
Good job in your discussion about how Barbie is represented by the American public. It's true that it's unfortunate that Barbie gives girls impossible standards on body image with her curves and such, but you explored the aspect after childhood, where you point out the realities of what women really look like. However, I disagree with you when you say that Barbie is a great role model to little girls. I personally think that dolls are terrible role models for all girls. They should play video games instead. Or choreograph a dance project.
ReplyDeleteGood connection with the Barbie. I like alot of your observations and thoughts on the representation about it all.
ReplyDeleteHey Peter, at first I thought it was cool you had done your historical homework--but then I discovered, sigh, you hadn't--Barbie was invented in 1959!! See http://www.newsweek.com/id/185788. The other missed opportunity I see here is the chance to quote Barthes' "Toys" on why a doll is not necessarily just a doll (probably there's a good line from "Plastic" that applies too!). There are a few editing issues, too, you might address (isle v. aisle--spellchecker can't help you there!). Overall you've got the Barthes idea down--though I imagine he'd get down to even more micrscopic issues--the touch and the texture of a Barbie--the stuff we don't think abotu but might shape our experience anyway?
ReplyDeleteMan, some links would help you here! There's a lot about Barbie out there in the internets.