From the start, boys and girls have been separated into separate groups. As kids, they show noticeable distinctions in their toy choices, which often reflect their gender roles. Boys usually receive toys like race cars, tools, guns, and action figures as preparation for their future as men. On the other hand, girls are given makeup sets, kitchenware, stuffed animals, and dolls. While boys also experience some societal influence, this text will mainly focus on the psychological pressures that society puts on young girls through seemingly harmless toys.
Barbie, created by Mattel, has sparked controversy as a toy that promotes unrealistic body image for young girls. Despite being marketed as a children’s toy, Barbie represents the idealized version of a woman that is influenced by societal beauty standards. If Barbie were a real person, she would have measurements of 39″/19″/33″, which is significantly different from the average person and perpetuates an unattainable standard. In fact, her waistline would be 39 percent smaller than that of an anorexic individual.
The likelihood of a woman having Barbie’s proportions naturally is very slim, considering that Barbie and other fashion dolls do not portray realistic bodies. This lack of realism can severely impact the self-esteem of young girls who play with these dolls. Many girls who engage with Barbie toys aspire to look like her, leading to unrealistic body expectations from an early age. Given that girls have been playing with Barbie dolls since their childhood, they have become quite acquainted with her presence.
Griffin argues that toys like Barbie act as a symbol for “gender and adult responsibilities” and offer girls a visual depiction of societal norms and relationships. Many girls perceive Barbie as an exemplary figure, and the more they engage in playing with their Barbie dolls, the stronger her impact on them becomes, influencing their aspirations to imitate her. In response to backlash, Mattel made efforts during the 1990s to modify Barbie’s physical appearance. As part of this endeavor, a version of Barbie was introduced in 1998 featuring broader hips and a reduced bust size (“Barbie”).
Despite the efforts made by Mattel, Barbie’s influence on the physical appearance of young girls has been detrimental for a considerable period. The media’s depiction of extremely thin and flawlessly proportioned girls as the ultimate standard of beauty has led to many young girls developing eating disorders. These children, being so young, are highly susceptible to societal pressures and struggle to comprehend the unattainable nature of these ideals. Despite debuting in 1959 and commemorating her 50th anniversary in 2009, Barbie’s appearance has remained unchanged since her initial introduction.
Barbie is generating annual sales of $2 billion. Around 90% of girls aged 3 to 10 own a Barbie doll, with an average of 12 dolls per child aged 3 to 6 (Griffin). In 1965, the Barbie doll line released a version named “Slumber Party Barbie” that included a bathroom scale and a book called “How to Lose Weight.” These accessories were deemed inappropriate since they targeted young girls who should not be concerned about weight management.
The bathroom scale in the Slumber Party Barbie set was permanently set to 110 pounds, subtly implying that girls should not weigh more than that. The accompanying book, “How to Lose Weight,” suggests the advice of not eating. This dangerous message and nonsense being imparted to young girls greatly impacts their health and self-esteem. Despite this, the Slumber Party Barbie set also included a matching Ken doll, whose accessories were milk and cookies (Griffin).
The Slumber Party Barbie highlights the significant division in society’s treatment and influence on gender identity development for both genders. It is highly detrimental, potentially even risking one’s life, if any young girl were to emulate Barbie’s lifestyle. Measuring at 5’9″ with perfect proportions, weighing only 110 pounds, and promoting the message “don’t eat,” Barbie sets unattainable standards, particularly considering she is designed for the entertainment of young girls. It would be almost impossible to maintain a physique like Barbie’s without causing serious harm to one’s physical well-being and overall health.
Barbie not only delivers a misleading message about body image but also presents a mature concept of her long-time boyfriend Ken, which is inappropriate for young girls. Additionally, the absence of Barbie’s parents raises questions about their whereabouts over the years. Despite having met Barbie’s four younger siblings and even her cousin Midge, her parents have never been introduced. Considering the number of children in the family, it would be logical to have parents around for their care. Nevertheless, Barbie has been the sole member seen taking on the mothering role for these children.
Barbie assumes a significant amount of responsibility in caring for five children by herself, with some assistance from Ken. She is seen with her teenage sister Skipper, her twin younger siblings Stacie and Todd, her toddler sister Kelly, and even pushing her infant sister Krissy in a stroller. Nurturing instincts often come naturally to girls, so Barbie’s portrayal as a mother isn’t entirely negative. However, there are a few reasons why the messaging is being conveyed in the wrong context.
Is Barbie expected to parent all four of these kids by herself? Additionally, considering that Barbie and Ken are the oldest, they could potentially be the parents of all of them except Skipper. Barbie and Ken began their relationship when they were both teenagers, so when young girls see them taking on parental roles with young children, it could create a misleading perception. When children observe Barbie pushing strollers, holding bottles, and dropping kids off at school, their initial impression might be that young Barbie is their mother.
Barbie is often left unattended at home, without any rules or restrictions and the freedom to do whatever she wants. This behavior serves as a less-than-ideal example for children. Additionally, apart from living her own independent life, Barbie always has a group of friends by her side, contributing to her adult-like lifestyle. Over the years, Barbie has had more than 30 different friends, further increasing her popularity. It’s not surprising that she remains well-liked because she has a flawless appearance and perfectly coordinated outfits that are always in line with the latest fashion trends. With an extensive collection of outfits, Barbie promotes the idea that girls should also strive to keep up with current styles.
Contrary to her image as a sex symbol, Barbie delivers some encouraging messages. Aside from being portrayed as an attractive blonde, Barbie is also depicted as an ambitious and lovable woman with various dreams according to Griffin. Even though she started out as a teenage fashion model, Mattel introduced Barbie’s college journey in 1964. Ever since then, Barbie has represented more than 100 different professions, becoming a source of inspiration for young admirers and instilling in them the belief that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds on (Griffin).
Despite the debate surrounding Barbie’s potential negative effects on girls’ physical and emotional development, there is no solid evidence to support this claim (Griffin). Nevertheless, it is undeniable that Barbie’s unrealistic body shape perpetuates society’s idealization of thinness in women. Regardless of personal opinions, Barbie remains an enduring cultural icon both in America and worldwide (Griffin).
Works Cited
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By Julia Griffin, “Academics Like to Play With Barbies, Too.” Miller-McCune Online. Web. 06 Sept. 2010.http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/academics-like-to-play-with-barbies-too-3898/.
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