I am so sick, SO SICK, of seeing all these articles depicting Barbie Dolls as products of the anti-christ. If you are a sad sack that blames all your failings on a damn doll you need more therapy then you realize, because that’s some deep-rooted mental issues you’ve got going on there. Barbie is a hunk of plastic that was modeled after dress-maker dummies and was meant to be a grown-up fashion doll. Her early proportions featured thick thighs, thick butt, and big boobs; not exactly waif-like material there.
Now, does Barbie show girls (and guys) they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up? Not really, again she’s just a hunk of molded plastic, not a teaching tool. However, she can (and often does) serve as a reflection of the child playing with her. What does the child do with her? How does the child make the doll behave or dress?
I’m a feminist. I have a great many feminist friends. We all remember very fondly the hours we spent playing with our Barbies. We took her on some great adventures. We practiced our first kiss/date with our Ken and Barbie dolls. We played with her in sunshine, snow, and when we were sick. She was a vehicle for our wildest imaginations. And as a feminist, I can’t tell you how delighted we are to walk down toy aisles and see this doll (in different races and looks – including freckles and moles) wearing lab coats (doctor and veterinarian Barbie), helmets (astronaut and race car driver Barbie), and guitars (bold and sassy musician Barbie). These are popular dolls because that’s what the little girls (and guys) of our society want to buy. Think about that.
Stop blaming your inadequacies on a hunk of plastic!