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.