Blogpost 5: The problem with Barbie's Curves

In today's society, if you aren't as slim as models are, you don't fit in. Barbie doll, once just considered a toy, really had a big impact in peoples' mind. The girl in the picture is Valeria Lukyanova. The controversial Ukrainian girl who altered almost everything in her physical appearance to look like Barbie. She even had several of her ribs taken out to achieve Barbie's physique. Why did she have to go under the knife undergo through all the pain? One of the reasons might be because she's not contented with what she looks, actually most of us are. Looking at how slim Valeria is at the picture, makes most of the female population envy her. Why? Probably because of peoples' high standards on body image. On the other hand the famous plastic doll, Barbie, is continuously condemned for the unattainable standards she set. Can it be possible that we have high expectation on body image because of a doll?

I read an article entitled, "The Negative Effects of Barbie On Young girls an the Long Term result" written by Stephanie Hoskins from the sight www.divinecaroline.com.

The article mentions an experiment called, "Does Barbie Makes Girls Want to be Thin? The Effect of Experimental Exposure to images of Dolls on Body Image of 5-8 girls." It was done by psychology professors Helga Dittmar and Suzanne Ive from the University of Sussex, and Emma Halliwell of the University of the West of England. The findings from their experiment have been published in Developmental Psychology in 2006. A total of 162 girls from ages 5-8 to Barbie doll, Emme dolls, and no dolls and did a body image assessment. It was confirmed that Emme dolls had no negative effects and the Barbie dolls has. Those exposed with Barbie dolls showed low self-esteem and wanted to be more thinner. Meanwhile, it didn't have prompt bad effect on the older kids. The study concludes that although the dolls attempt to discontinue being a role model for grown-up girls, young kids who sees barbie as a feign image unrealistic thin body may affect girls' preview on body image. This would increase the rate of probability of having weight cycling and eating disorder.

The doll has been accused to be the reason for girls with dysmorphic disorder. It's a disorder which causes someone to engross something about her body she doesn't like which may seem to be a minor problem. Kids exposed to Barbie dolls may develop this later in their life.This disease is believed by physiologist Debbie to be the reason why some women undergo through surgery to alter their look. The population of women who opt to mutilate their body is arousing to achieve the ideal body. These psychology professors were surprised at how young women feel the need to alter their body to meet unattainable expectation Barbie has set.

Hoskins stated, "Barbie isn’t just a toy, maybe she has a great influence and psychological effect on the young girls of the world and the those girls who will turn in to women. Barbie has negative influence on young girls and makes them self-conscious about their physical appearance because of Barbie’s unrealistic body features."

Barbie's impact has gotten too far. She had girls undergo surgery and one even having several of her ribs taken out. And if young kids will get too exposed to the doll, they will eventually do the same when they grow-up. These kids don't know how these dolls influence their preview on beauty and body image until they grow older. So, it's their parents job to censor the toys they let their kids play with to protect them from dolls that could affect them psychologically negative. Because for young kids, fantasy and play are important parts of socialization in which they learn values and ideas and dolls are tangible image of the body that can set an example for the kids' developing minds.

I read another article entitled, "Barbie Lead Designer Blames Moms, Not Doll’s Crazy Proportions, for Girls’ Body Issues" by Laura Stampler from the site newsfeed.time.com.

People took Barbie's measurement impact too much they researched that if she was a real woman, she would have half a liver and would possibly not be able to menstruate. Mattel defended their self by saying, Barbie's body was never intended to be real. And that she was designed to be easy to undress and get dressed. But again, the doll was scrutinized for it's big bust. People don't think her chest makes her easy to get dress and undress. With regard to the accusation of Barbie's unattainable curves affects girls' view of body image, Mattel has defended themselves again. They say that the children view things differently from the adults do. Dr. Leslie Lim, clinical director of Mayo Clinic, put the blame to the mothers. She said that the moms and their opinion shape the point of view of their kids. They're the most influential when it comes to their children's thinking. Mattel's side said that, they designed Barbie's shoulders back and chest proudly out to show that teenage girls should be proud of their bodies.

Stampler stated, "There is a large and growing body of literature that shows the negative impact these toys have on developing children."

We are decide to according to people or things that influence us the most. The article said the mothers' affects their kids decision, and I agree with that. Mothers' opinion will have big impact in our choices and so as the things we get exposed to for a long time. In this case, when kids are exposed too much with dolls, it has a high chance to affect them negatively. Specially with regard to an individuals' body image. Many researches has already been conducted and proved that Barbie dolls really affect kids' view on their body.

With all the social issues today, i think, mothers' should advice their kids. In that way, they would know that you don't need to change yourself in order to be beautiful and be accepted by the society. A child's future is much better if she/he has a positive perspective in things.

Blogpost 4: Pregnant dolls

Women's most important purpose is to reproduce. It's written in nature that every women will be a mother someday and take care of a family. An effigy of women, Barbie, the doll who had it all of course needed to have a family at some point. Mattel's production team thought of bringing the subject first with Barbie's friend, Midge. Some stores sell Midge as a part of happy family together with his husband Alan and their 3-year-old son Ryan. Midge had a round detachable stomach and a curled-up baby inside so when little girls felt it was time for her to deliver, they could pull the baby out themselves. Just imagine the joy kids get with playing a pregnant doll, pretending they're doctors. The dolls' manufacturer created a pregnant Midge to help parents discuss pregnancy without having to show the graphic descriptions of the reproductive process. But what could be the possible effects of playing a pregnant doll to kids?

Mommy doll

I read an article entitled, "Barbie's Pregnant friend yanked" by Sue Chan from the site www.cbsnews.com.

You probably heard about Skipper (barbie's little sister) and Christie (barbie's African-American friend). But are you aware of Barbie's pregnant friend, Midge? She comes along with her husband Alan, 3-year-old son and carries her curled-up second baby inside her detachable stomach. The doll eventually received bad ratings. What would preadolescent kids get from playing a pregnant doll? Critics say the doll promotes teenage pregnancy. Another issue Midge is facing is that the dolls of Happy Family is each sold separately, so it doesn't turn out to be a really happy family.

The issue with  Midge dolls provoked Wal-mart to pull out stock saying it was needed in the situation. They needed to do it because it's their task to listen to costumers. If ever anyone asks for one, they would just bring out one from the stocks. The doll still managed to gain positive reviews. According to some citizens, the pregnant dolls is a wonderful instrument for parents to show their children role-play family situation especially for those expecting a delivery of a new family member.

Chan noted, "Dolls are designed to satisfy the desire for nurturing play by girls age 5 to 8."

Dolls are made for young kids to play with. But the dolls are more than just toys, they influence children. Since children are innocent and learning new things at this early stage, the dolls help in developing their young minds. The Midge doll is a  part of the Happy Family together with her husband and son but each are sold separately. Meaning, they have to buy each doll. But what if the kids or their parents only buy one? So, you get a pregnant doll without a husband. Or you have a 3-year old toy doll without parents. This would be a negative influence to the kids. This shows kids the situation of a broken family and they might think it's okay. Since the Happy Family dolls aim to nourish family traits selling them separately would not be a good idea. Another concern that i have with regard to Midge dolls, is that playing with pregnant dolls would not be a good influence to young girls. Yes, pulling out a baby their self would be fun but just imagine what would the children gain in favor. Though it might help the parents in explaining the delivery of an infant, it might also affect the children in a negative way. The dolls promote teenage pregnancy, another negative influence to the kids.


I also read one article entitled, "Pregnant 'Midge' Is Too Much for some" by Sarah Sue Ingram from the site articles.dailypress.com.

The article discusses the controversial birthing doll, Midge, which was a part of Happy Family line together with the groom doll Alan and their son. Many admired the doll but there were more who don't. They said the opinions are 50-50 type thing. Because of the issue, Wal-Mart on York town decided to pull-out Midge from their shelves. It was the best way to escape the problem with the pregnant dolls before something bigger happens.

The pregnant look is accomplished by a detachable round belly  the kids can take it off and pull out the baby. Because of that, Midge's stomach instantly flattens faster than those who are in their 3rd week of ab exercise routine. The citizens' concern is that the kids need natural play and not sensitive affair at the early age. The Barbie should be a role model for young kids and what would they learn from playing pregnant dolls? The doll would probably promote teenage pregnancy. Mattel is to commended for introducing the doll married. If it was released pregnant without the parents legally married, the doll would have impose that premarital sex is okay.Cecilia Huffman, a barbie collector, said the doll was getting too real.

Ingram said, "Some customers told they wouldn't buy the new Midge dolls because they didn't want their little girl playing with a pregnant doll and that the Barbie line of dolls is supposed to be a role model for young girls."

The dolls are more of just a toy. It's the kids role model since in their young age because what they play influences them. In that matter, playing with pregnant dolls might affect their young minds negatively. The kids should engage in playing a more natural toy. The pregnant dolls, in my opinion, is a little too mature for the kids.

We should be careful of what we let our children play. As said earlier, their toys affect their thinking. Playing with pregnant dolls would promote negative things such as teenage pregnancy, broken family and premarital sex. It's just too early for them to be exposed in a sensitive topic. At the end of the day, teaching kids sex ad moral value is abdicated to the parents.

Blogpost 3: Barbie As a Symbol of Feminism

Mattel's Barbie doll has been continuously scrutinized for being a feign image of beauty and it's unattainable vital statistics from then up to now. But have you ever thought of what positive image she exudes? She represents 40 nationalities and 150 jobs. Have you thought of how different she is from the other dolls? Did you ever even consider her being career oriented as a good example to women? She represents an image of what females should be... an achiever. Barbie teaches us not to limit our dreams just because we are less masculine than the opposite sex. Now, do you realize how she could be a symbol of feminism?

What's wrong with Barbie?

I have read an article entitled, "In Defense of Barbie: Why She Might be the Most Feminist Doll Around" by Charlotte Alter from the site, http://time.com.

The famous Barbie has always been flaked for setting bizarre standards for beauty and body image. The 11-inch doll with with 36-inch-chest, 18-inch-waist and 33-inch-hips would absolutely get all the girls envy her. Study shows that if she were a real women, she would be 5 ft. 9 inch and 110 pounds. Her body would be similar to those anorexic. Because kids are influenced with what they play, Barbie has been labeled a role model. And for setting unattainable standards, she's considered as a bad one. The doll has always been  perceived to give children and women a wrong impression of beauty.

The irony of Barbie's case is about people noticing her looks but never her careers. She worked and now have 150 jobs since she was made in 1959. Lately, the sales of Barbie was down surpassed by the big head and thin legged Monster High dolls with pre-adolescent body. She may have set an impossible standard but at least she looked like a professional adult woman unlike those that look like a baby hooker. Studies show she affects the idea of body weight of women causing eating disorders. But it is over simplified to blame the toy alone for research also show that Mothers affect kids' preview of body image the most.

She surely represents beauty and materialism but people seldom focus on how she represents imagination and professional probabilities. Mattel has reinforced the issue by launching the #Unapologetic campaign which message is you don't have to apologize for what you look like. Barbie is just like a lot of women, judged by appearance and not the achievements.

 Alter noted, "If we took her work life half as seriously as we took her waist measurement, we could use Barbie as a way to talk to girls about the jobs they want, not the bodies they want."

We love to discriminate and judge physical appearance. Yes, people are a lot like that. We don't always have too look for the negative, we could also take a peek of the positive side. We should also give Barbie credits for setting standards for career possibilities. She shows that women can be anything they want. I believe, Babrbie does big help on the female population.


I read another article entitled, "#Unapologetic Barbie: Sorry campaign or shrewd controversy?" written by Michelle Maltais from the site http://www.latimes.com.

The controversial toy doll, Barbie, isn't sorry anymore. For many years she has been condemned for setting impossible standards of beauty and body image. To reinforce the issue, Mattel launched an #Unapologetic campaign. Barbie was the headliner of a sports illustrated swimsuit edition. Mattel spokeswoman Michelle Chidnoni talked about the purpose of the campaign which is accepting oneself. It aimed to make people believe that you don't have to be sorry for who you are just like all the legendary and iconic women who are more than just a pretty face. Chidoni added that Barbie has a place in conversation within the society with regard to diverse audiences.The response from the social-media are differing.

Maltais stated, "Barbie has endured the same kind of public dissection and judgment about her body that girls and women do."

The quote defends Barbie's unapologetic stance. If we look carefully at the case, she's just like any other girl judged by appearance. She receives criticisms just like most of us do. To think, Barbie is just a toy and anyone with a working brain can see that. Adults, with minds unlike dolls, should take initiative to advice what's right and wrong... that barbies are just plastic toys and a real girl is so much than having big bust and thin legs. We should know how to accept ourselves for who we are and not long for perfection. There’s no need for anyone to get worked up over something that isn’t even a true detriment to society.

Everything has two sides and we should look at both equally. In Barbie's case, we tend to look at the negative side more. If we look at how she helps promote feminism, Barbie would be a big help on women empowerment.

Blogpost 2: Black Beauties

People measure beauty by physical appearance. One should have charming eyes, genuine smile and flawless skin to be labeled beautiful. Some consider another person less of a human mainly because of the skin color, language and sometimes even the nationality. This is called racism. It is a powerful way of discrimination where a person considers someone inferior if he/she is different from what he's accustomed. Meanwhile, Mattel's barbie dolls has been famous for their physique and Caucasian features. It has also been scrutinized for it's plastic perfectness and lack of realism. But what people forget is to recognize how pivotal Mattel has been, trying to break barriers in society. The management decided to make the first African American barbie doll in  the. The doll aims to promote equality in all races.

Black-skinned Barbies

I read the article entitled, "Are Mattel's New Dolls black enough?", by Ann Zimmerman, from the site oynline.wsj.com. 

The main topic is Francie, the first black doll of Mattel  in l967 from their So In Style line. She's known as the "mod" cousin of Barbie. The article also tackled about other So In Style black dolls; Grace, Trichelle, Kara and Christie. Despite the company's effort to plead for good comments from the black community, some of them are still not satisfied. They say the dolls are not black enough for some of the models' features are still similar to the Caucasians. The article mentioned the grouse of Cheryl Nelson-Grimes with her daughter's Francie doll. She quibbled about the doll's fine-textured hair. Mrs. Nelson-Grimes wanted her daughter to learn that beauty isn't measured with how straight or long your hair is. The complaints justify how laborious it is for a commercial industry to please the entire African-American community with just a single or two image. 

On the other hand, black dolls of Mattel's So In Style line still managed to collect favorable outputs. The production wrote positive messages at the back of each box about the doll's interests. Some of which are educational and sports related because according to Stacey McBride-Irby, the designer of the So In Style dolls, she wanted to send good message to the buyers. She doesn't want the people to think that the dolls are just about fashion and fun. With regard to the complaints about it's hair, Mattel conducted a substantial survey. It conveyed that the kids wanted the hair to be easy to brush and style and so they made the dolls' hair fine-grained. Aside from that, it was mentioned in the article that Stephanie Archer the leader of Mocha Moms, an Africa-American group, gave positive statement about the So In Style Francie dolls. She indicated that Mattel did a good job not exaggerating and getting the features just right. It made her daughter feel special because the doll looks the same as her. 

Zimmerman stated, "The dolls are much better representation than what has been in the market place." 

Francie

I have also read one article, "Mattel's New Black Doll A Step in the right Direction" wrtitten by Dodai Stewart, from the site jezebel.com.

Mattel's S.I.S (So In Style) line which featured black dolls made publicity due to it's bold decision to produce dolls at variance from the stereotypical Barbies. It still had some trouble with regard to the features, gaining negative comments from the black community. Some of the dolls still carry Barbie's physical manifestation which are long legs, impracticably slender physique, big bust and thin waist. Though condemned, the So In Style black dolls was labeled a positive step forward. It was a great substitute for the traditional blue-eyed, blonde Barbie dolls. S.I.S designer Stacey McBride, who is black, said she got up with the idea of creating black dolls so her daughter can play with something that looks like her. The dolls are a good help since mothers had a difficulty reinforcing the "black is beauty" idea. It had also gained positive notes from some of the African-American Mothers for the dolls exude attributes almost similar to the black people.

Stewart noted, "The dolls comes in pairs of big and little sisters which  encourage mentoring relationships.… They may not be mirror-perfect, but they come closer to the fantasy than my childhood playthings."

The So In Style dolls gives off precise message since most of the African-American traits is emboldening relationships. Mattel did a good work on making the dolls' features somehow close to the real ones. It helps boosts the confidence of young girls since it looks a lot like them. It would probably teach them to love their self as they are. One good message the dolls manifest is that beauty is not defined through the skin color or the hair texture.


No human race is superior and no color is inferior so all of the collective judgements are wrong. These black dolls, i believe, discredit racism.

Blogpost 1: Barbie Syndrome

Every girl needs compliments. The praises give them satisfying feeling and boosts their self-esteem. Unfortunately, teenagers nowadays stress over their fat thighs, untoned belly, double chin and being overweight. And then, there's Barbie. The famous 50-year-old plastic doll with unrealistic body proportions manufactured by Mattel, Inc. whose market are girls ages 3-7 years old. But what if this doll isn't just a toy? Maybe she has a great influence on these young girls minds. These kids will eventually turn in to women and so as they grow old they bring with them the "physical perfection" mindset. "Barbie Syndrome" is used to depict the desire to have physical appearance and lifestyle representative of the Barbie doll. A person with this syndrome attempts to emulate the doll's physical appearance, even though the doll has unattainable body proportions. The effects of Barbie on body image runs deeper than you think.

Barbie Syndrome

I have read an article entitled, "Barbie Flu' Spreading in Ukraine", written by Katya Soldak, from the site www.forbes.com.

The article talks about Ukrainian girls who altered their appearance just to look like Barbie. The main topic is Anime, a 19-year-old makeup artist and hairdresser. It also talked about Anime's friend, Valeriya Lukyanova also known as Barbie who has already made publicity due to her Barbie physique. Anime spends hours applying makeup so she usually wakes up early. Her diet only consists of fruit and vegetables. She dresses unconventionally and paints her face extremely so she could get the perfect look. Unlike Anime, her friend known as "Barbie", has already undergone breast surgeries to accentuate her "barbieness." She even had to take a couple of ribs out in order to achieve her perfect figure. Anime is lost in her dream and plays like she's a princess in her own fairytale. She's a young confused girl  and insecure about her skin and physique. In the article, Anime said, the world is cruel and is full of unhappy people and it’s easier to live the way she does, creating a fairy tale for herself.
 

Soldak said, "What is it that makes these girls turn themselves into living dolls? A struggle for perfection or escape from reality? It seems to have a connection to “Barbie doll syndrome” – when young girls try to attain impossible standards of beauty."

Anime and Barbie, the living dolls

It was clear that people with the so-called Barbie Syndrome strive hard to achieve the "barbie" look. Because of the dolls unconventional physique, some girls with this syndrome even undergo plastic surgery. They are focused on a diet so they could maintain their slim body. They spend too much time putting makeup on so the could get Barbie's full lips and wide eyes. It is truly not easy to achieve perfection. But what if the syndrome might be a way of escaping reality? This may be the elucidation to why people want perfection so bad, they'd do anything to achieve it. Maybe they're tired of a world full of criticism. Discrimination is innate in us anyway. It's like we're born to judge people's personality and looks.So, it will be easier to live in a fairytale you made for yourself, not paying attention to other people's comments.

I also read one article entitled, "Barbie And Body Image", by Scott Mogul from the site www.mirorr-mirror.org.

Mattel's Barbie VS. Normal barbie

It talked about how barbies and our view on physical appearance is connected. The doll has set an obnoxious body standard to women causing eating disorders. Not everyone is easily influenced by the toy, but children are influenced with the toys they play. The average girls ages three to eleven own 10 or more barbies. Those girls most probably grow up surrounded with barbie dolls. This may be one factor on why most of the female population look up to barbies as their model.  A study mentioned in this article states, more than half women ages 18-25 would rather get their self killed than be overweight.

Mogul stated, "So what do Barbie dolls teach children about the world? They teach children it is desirable to be thin, very thin. They teach children to strive for unrealistic body image."

The effects of Barbie may have gotten too far. This caused young girls to inculcate in their mind that if you're not stick thin, you're ugly. If you don't look like a model, you don't fit in and you can't be beautiful. It somehow affects our preview on physical look. Because girls tend to look for something that would boost their self-esteem they  would do things such as starving their self. They do this to attain the barbie physique because that is what more than half of the population thinks pretty.

We sometimes forget that it isn't always about perfection but being contented with yourself because we're accustomed to look for the standards Barbie has set.

So what do Barbie dolls teach children about the world? They teach children that it is desirable to be thin, very thin. They teach children to strive for an unrealistic body image. - See more at: http://www.mirror-mirror.org/barbie-and-body-image.htm#sthash.O3pgBOyc.dpuf

So what do Barbie dolls teach children about the world? They teach children that it is desirable to be thin, very thin. They teach children to strive for an unrealistic body image. - See more at: http://www.mirror-mirror.org/barbie-and-body-image.htm#sthash.O3pgBOyc.dpufIt mentioned a woman who has been heavily influenced by barbies, Cindy Jackson. According to the article, Cindy Jackson sets World record with 52 plastic Surgeries, Cosmetic procedure from the site: abcnews.go.com, the title says it all. She is famous for setting the world for undergoing through knife 52 times to look youger and in the attempt of

So what do Barbie dolls teach children about the world? They teach children that it is desirable to be thin, very thin. They teach children to strive for an unrealistic body image. - See more at: http://www.mirror-mirror.org/barbie-and-body-image.htm#sthash.O3pgBOyc.dpu

Barbie And Body Image