Rethinking Barbie (the doll) and her positive impact

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, as a short, stocky girl, I really didn't appreciate Barbie-encouraged body norms. I starved myself, but ultimately, I was still short and broad, even when bony, and Barbieness was unattainable.

Unfortunate that none of the adults in your life helped you develop some self-esteem.

[Anonymous]

Agree op! I had this revelation recently too. She wasn’t just some fluffy bimbo. She was single and childless and a career woman and she was considered fabulous, not pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw the Barbie movie and it’s very much Grrrlll Power and all about women running the world and not being defined by a man. It’s a fun movie with a message.

And everyone in the audience was wearing pink—even boys.

So much fun!

I honestly hate that type of message. Saying “don’t be defined by a man” is still positioning women in relation to men. Just leave men out of it, the way non-Bechdel test movies leave out women.

[Anonymous]

I was a figure skater so naturally this was my favorite Barbie as a kid. I’ve been dying to see the movie since photos leaked of that roller blading scene.

And like a PP said, Barbie didn’t give me body image issues, comments from adults did. I’m glad there are more representative dolls now, though.

[Anonymous]

As a brown girl, I detested Barbies. It was just a reminder of what society expected me to look like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes a doll is just a doll.

Barbie was a very fun toy to play with. I loved her outfits and I had the cutest Barbie house and furniture. It really wasn’t more meaningful than that.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a brown girl, I detested Barbies. It was just a reminder of what society expected me to look like.

Anybody of any race can say that . Not all white girls are blonde with blue eyes, you know.

[Anonymous]

So the big question is: do grown men have these hang ups overGIJoe? And yes, this is sarcasm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a brown girl, I detested Barbies. It was just a reminder of what society expected me to look like.

I totally agree. I would never support the sick Barbie image.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Barbies at our house are mostly naked in the Dream House pool, regardless of whatever job Mattel gives them.

. I just spit out my wine I laughed so hard. This is so true!

[Anonymous]

Please. You bethesda moms were so threatened when my Dd insisted on bringing her Barbie to the pool. You would not let your dds near her. She was ostracized! My dd loved dressing her Barbie up and creating new outfits for her. Today my dd is a fashion designer in a private design house. Did I mention how much I hate Bethesda mothers? F u all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a brown girl, I detested Barbies. It was just a reminder of what society expected me to look like.

Anybody of any race can say that . Not all white girls are blonde with blue eyes, you know.

My first Barbie was Julia the brown nurse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had barbies and never thought my body should look like hers. It's clearly freakishly unhuman.

Sure, it’s a freak, but that’s not how children see it. That freak never made an appearance in our home.

Ahhh. Too bad. They have missed out. I played with Barbies for hours, and so did my daughters…gorgeous confident multiracial girls who had the privilege of getting lost in world-building, making furniture, creating stories …they did this with calico critters, American girls, but nothing was as exciting as Barbie. btw…my DDs preferred the brunette and brown skinned Barbies, as well as the plumper ones… so many options now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the big question is: do grown men have these hang ups overGIJoe? And yes, this is sarcasm

When you see the number of men who listen to Jordan Petersen, I’d say yes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I was a figure skater so naturally this was my favorite Barbie as a kid. I’ve been dying to see the movie since photos leaked of that roller blading scene.

And like a PP said, Barbie didn’t give me body image issues, comments from adults did. I’m glad there are more representative dolls now, though.

Do you have the Tessa Virtue Barbie?