For 57 years Barbie has been a staple in the world of beauty, fashion, and toys. The image that the name conjures, from the blonde hair to the size zero waist, presented an imaginative concept of the ideal female body. After a while, Mattel began marketing her as more than just looks, attempting to prove she was a real woman. Ironically, despite all of these outfits and professions that Barbie has mastered, she’s remained mostly true to the original design.
After generations, we’re finally getting a Barbie worthy of being called a woman.
Finally, Some Variety
Barbie hasn’t simply gained a few pounds. While curvy Barbie is of course an option, she is now joined by a tall version as well as a petite. In addition to some choices in realistic body type, Barbie now comes in a variety of hair and skin color, and cultures.
The importance of these changes cannot be understated. The toys our children play with have proven to not only reinforce the information they’re receiving from their parents, school, and society, but also to help them develop their own identities. It’s one thing to play with a generic representation of a female. It’s entirely different to have a doll that truly represents who they feel they are.
Can’t Please Everyone
As with any sort of change like this, there are those that disagree. The opinions thrown around range from the dolls promoting obesity, to the belief that dolls shouldn’t be responsible for teaching your child how to feel about their body. Both claims have no real basis in fact, the latter being flat out wrong as the toys your child plays with has a direct impact on your child’s development.
When responsibility isn’t taken for the toys our children play with, any problems that may arise because of them are far harder to cope with. There are studies that show girls suffer a much higher rate of mental illness, including depression. There’s far more harm to be done with sticking with a doll that represents a completely unrealistic body type as opposed to one that represents real women in all of their variety and beauty.
Adults Benefit Too
This isn’t just about the children. By preparing this new generation of kids to accept differing body types, we help them become adults more accepting, not only of others but of themselves. Not only does this raise girls who are more confident in themselves, but also boys who expect girls to come in all shapes and sizes, and not simply hold up a plastic ideal.
No matter how you look at it, the updated models are a step right direction to help girls accept who they are.
Tyler Jacobson is a father, husband, and freelancer, with experience in writing and outreach for parent and organizations that help troubled teen girls. Tyler has offered humor and research backed advice to readers on parenting tactics, problems in education, issues with social media, mental disorders, addiction, and troublesome issues raising teen boys. Connect with Tyler on: Twitter | Linkedin
