I still haven’t finished my thoughts about Barbie. Is she a suitable role model for young girls, or is she the Devil in high heels?
She only comes in blonde. She only comes in a size 2. She doesn’t age, and she wears mini skirts that don’t even cover her bottom. I don’t think she’s into family values. Sure, she holds a steady job, but other than throwing parties for her friends in the Dream House, she’s not known to share the wealth. She’s completely self-absorbed in her Malibu world, and the only thing I can find about her that’s down-to-earth is she’s known to go camping.
Barbie appears sweet and innocent, but she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Shouldn’t I just eradicate Barbie from my house right now? Shouldn’t I protect my girls from this ungodly woman?
Come to think of it, I used to love to play with Barbie. She was my favorite toy, and my most memorable Christmas is the Barbie Town House with the three-story elevator. My mother never banned Barbie, and if she had I would have wanted to play with her all the more. Sure, I went through a phase when I wore those tacky mini-skirts, but I never died my hair blonde or tried to escape to Malibu.
So, instead of worrying about Barbie, I’m going to tackle more important issues with my girls. It’s all about picking the battles (and I’ve got bigger fish to fry).
Any Barbie fans out there? No disrespect, I really didn’t mean to compare her to the Devil.
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8 comments:
I think Barbie is harmless. I do find it interesting that her lips are a little fuller and her eyes larger and further apart than those I played with as a child.
As long as she remains a figure in the imaginative world I think she's fine. It's when our girls start to see those qualities you ran through become valued by their peers and/or parents that we have a problem. It then becomes a reality.
As mothers we will never be able to completely shelter our girls from the pressure of visible values (looks, money, clothes, etc.). What we can do is remind them time and time again that God values who they are, just the way they are, and we do, too.
Tough battle, ladies. It's gonna be a long one.
As a woman, advocate for other women (I facilitate spiritual/meditational circles) and mother of two little girls, I can say with heart felt conviction that (in my opinion), Barbie is no good.
I wouldn't go so far as to say she's evil, but her makers may be.
You said it all in your blog - she's about nothing, really. And outwardly she conveys nothing we'd want our daughters to learn about being a woman, or our sons to learn about what to expect from a woman.
Is it possible Barbie is just one more in a long line of things created to keep folks occupied, sell stuff, dumb us down and support a male view. Oh, methinks so.
Nice blog.
hahaha--there's a HUMONGOUS Barbie exhibit in my hometown Children's Museum right now. Saw it on Monday. Cringed at most of it. Except the hippie Barbie & Ken from the 70's. They were cool. Made my uber-glad I have all sons. We never set foot in "the pink aisle." (P.S. We have a mutual friend--Christie--on our prayer teams! :) Love her!) And congrats on your book!!!
Well, I think the verdict on Barbie is still out. Let's just say I'm not going to be investing in any new Barbie stuff soon (and I've hidden that Barbie book Abby kept making me read over and over again). Yes, I'm thankful to have my son. I asked him what he thinks about Barbie, and he said he thinks she is "stupid."
Thanks for your comments.
My former father-in-law gave me my first-ever Barbie for Christmas when I was 27. I was so moved that I cried. Somehow, I had felt as though I had missed out on some symbol of innocence and youth. Funny, since those who craft Barbie, with her busty figure and sexy face/clothes aren't shooting for innocence, I know. Still, I treasure the doll, because it was a gift from the heart of someone hoping to inspire a smile. He was successful. I'm guessing the same is true for most little girls today who receive one. It's not to model Barbie - it's to enjoy her.
First, I love you blog-style. It is unpretentious and you sound like a likeable person :-)
My parents never bought me a Barbie, but then, they never bought me a Cabbage Patch Kid either. Like them, I'm more against "brand" toys, than specific toys. A doll is a doll.
I like Barbie. After three boys and all their guy gear, I welcomed her in all her pink plastic glory.(Yes I finally got my girl!) Stepping on her shoes barefoot at three in the morning? Well that's a different issue.
I think Barbie is a mixed bag. She provokes much imagination, but the question is...what kind? I remember playing Barbies for hours when I was a kid. It was my way of playing out the stories in my head. I think, in the end, it depends on the child.
I would love to have seen that Barbie exhibit!
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