Barbie Doll: A Fashion Icon and a Cultural Phenomenon
Barbie doll is one of the most popular and recognizable toys in the world. Since its debut in 1959, it has sold over a billion units, inspired countless movies, games, books, and merchandise, and influenced generations of children's play and development. But Barbie is more than just a toy. It is also a fashion icon, a cultural phenomenon, and a source of controversy. In this article, we will explore the history, benefits, and challenges of Barbie doll, and how it has shaped and reflected our society.
barbie doll
Introduction
What is Barbie and how did it start?
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. It was created by Ruth Handler, who used a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she was named after Ruth's daughter. She is from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin, where she attended high school. Barbie dolls are the most well-known dolls ever produced and are sold in over 100 countries. It is estimated that two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world every second of every day, which earns them roughly $1.5 billion dollars per year.
What are the benefits of playing with Barbie dolls?
Playing with dolls, such as Barbie, offers major benefits in preparing children for the future through nurturing social skills like empathy. According to a landmark study by Cardiff University, doll play activates brain regions that allow children to develop social processing skills like empathy. The study monitored the brain activity of children ages 4-8 as they played with a range of Barbie dolls and playsets. The key findings apply to all children, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
Playing with dolls also encourages children to talk more about others' thoughts and emotions, which allows them to practice social skills they can use when interacting with people in the real world. Doll play also enhances creativity and imagination, as children create imaginary worlds and role play with dolls. Furthermore, playing with dolls promotes positive role models and career aspirations, as Barbie has had over 200 careers throughout her history, ranging from astronaut to president.
What are the controversies and criticisms of Barbie dolls?
Despite its popularity and success, Barbie has also faced many controversies and challenges over the years. Two of the most common criticisms of Barbie are of an excessive materialism communicated through the doll's "lifestyle" and the doll's unrealistic body proportions. Items sold as accessories to the Barbie doll included cars, planes, houses, animals, and more, all of which, according to critics, idealize wealth accumulation. Moreover, Barbie's body shape has been criticized for being too thin, too busty, too white, and too perfect, which could negatively affect children's body image and self-esteem. How Barbie dolls enhance creativity and imagination
Another benefit of playing with dolls is that they enhance creativity and imagination, which are crucial for cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Creativity is the ability to produce original and valuable ideas, while imagination is the ability to form mental images of things that are not present or real.
Playing with dolls stimulates creativity and imagination by allowing children to create imaginary worlds and stories with their dolls. They can use their dolls as characters, props, and tools to express their thoughts and feelings. They can also experiment with different roles, scenarios, and outcomes, which expands their horizons and perspectives.
Barbie dolls are especially conducive to creativity and imagination, as they offer a wide range of possibilities and options for children to explore. Barbie dolls have diverse personalities, backgrounds, interests, and careers, which inspire children to imagine themselves in different situations and professions. Barbie dolls also have various accessories, clothing, furniture, vehicles, and playsets, which enable children to customize their dolls and create different environments and themes.
How Barbie dolls promote positive role models and career aspirations
A third benefit of playing with dolls is that they promote positive role models and career aspirations, which are important for self-confidence and motivation. Role models are people who inspire others by their actions, achievements, and qualities. Career aspirations are the goals and ambitions that one has for their future work.
Playing with dolls exposes children to different role models and career options that they can look up to and emulate. They can learn from the experiences, challenges, and successes of their dolls, and apply them to their own lives. They can also discover their own interests, talents, and passions, and pursue them with enthusiasm and determination.
Barbie dolls are particularly effective in promoting positive role models and career aspirations, as they showcase a variety of fields and occupations that children can aspire to. Barbie dolls have had over 200 careers throughout her history, ranging from astronaut to president. She has also collaborated with many influential figures and organizations, such as NASA, National Geographic, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, and more. Barbie dolls demonstrate that girls can be anything they want to be, and encourage them to dream big and work hard.
barbie extra doll and accessories
barbie dreamhouse adventures doll
barbie fashionistas doll with wheelchair
barbie color reveal doll with 7 surprises
barbie princess adventure deluxe princess doll
barbie career of the year campaign team giftset
barbie made to move soccer player doll
barbie signature 2020 holiday collector doll
barbie bmr1959 fully poseable fashion doll
barbie travel helicopter with spinning rotors
barbie skipper babysitters inc nap n nurture nursery playset
barbie dreamtopia mermaid nursery playset with two mermaid dolls
barbie dreamplane transformable playset with reclining seats and working overhead compartments
barbie malibu house playset with 25+ themed accessories
barbie ultimate closet portable fashion toy with doll, clothing, accessories and hangars
barbie glam convertible pink car with rolling wheels
barbie dolphin magic snorkel fun friends playset with puppy and dolphin figures
barbie dream camper playset with pool, slide and 50+ accessories
barbie dreamtopia brush n sparkle unicorn with lights and sounds
barbie cake decorating playset with blonde doll, baking island, molds, cake mix and accessories
barbie gymnastics coach dolls and playset with balance beam, flipping student and accessories
barbie veterinarian doll and playset with puppy, kitten, carrier and accessories
barbie coffee shop playset with blonde doll, coffee machine, counter and accessories
barbie fashionista ultimate closet accessory case with 10+ pieces of clothing and accessories
barbie dreamtopia rainbow magic mermaid doll with color-change hair and tail
barbie babysitting playset with skipper doll, baby doll, high chair and crib
barbie pizza chef doll and playset with oven, pizza dough, toppings and accessories
barbie club chelsea camper playset with chelsea doll, puppy, car, camper, firepit and accessories
barbie sweet orchard farm truck and dolls playset with hay bales and crates of produce
barbie fairytopia magic of the rainbow elina doll with light-up wings and necklace
barbie happy birthday doll in pink dress with tiara and gift box accessory
barbie ken fashionistas broad doll in red checked shirt and blue jeans
barbie ballet instructor playset with blonde ballerina doll, student in tutu and accessories
barbie teacher doll with flippin fun classroom playset and student dolls
barbie nurse doll in blue scrubs uniform with stethoscope accessory
barbie rock n royals singing courtney doll in pink princess dress that transforms into a rockstar outfit
barbie endless hair kingdom snap n style princess doll with extra-long blonde hair and styling accessories
barbie pop-up camper vehicle that transforms into a three-story play set with pool, slide and fire pit
barbie sisters snow fun giftset featuring stacie, skipper and chelsea dolls in winter outfits
barbie i can be president asian doll in red white and blue dress with microphone accessory
barbie collector twilight saga bella doll in blue dress from the movie breaking dawn part 2
barbie loves beauty styling head blonde hair styling toy for kids
barbie video game hero match game princess doll in pink skirt that lights up
barbie fashion fever teresa shopping boutique playset
barbie as rapunzel talking styling head brunette hair styling toy for kids
barbie fairytopia mermaidia nori the mermaid doll in purple outfit
barbie collector hunger games katniss everdeen doll in black jumpsuit from the movie mockingjay part 2
barbie life in the dreamhouse summer doll in pink floral dress
The controversies and challenges of Barbie dolls in society
The unrealistic body proportions and beauty standards of Barbie dolls
Despite the benefits of playing with dolls, there are also some controversies and challenges that Barbie dolls face in society. One of the most common criticisms of Barbie dolls is that they have unrealistic body proportions and beauty standards that could harm children's body image and self-esteem. Body image is the perception that one has of their physical appearance, while self-esteem is the evaluation that one has of their worth as a person.
Many studies have shown that Barbie dolls have a negative impact on body image and self-esteem among girls who play with them. For example, a study by Helga Dittmar et al. found that girls aged 5-8 who played with Barbie dolls reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape than girls who played with other dolls or no dolls at all. Another study by Tara Kuther et al. found that adolescent girls who were exposed to images of Barbie dolls had lower self-esteem than those who were exposed to images of Emme dolls (a plus-sized doll) or no images at all.
The reason why Barbie dolls have such a negative effect on body image and self-esteem is that they represent an unrealistic and unattainable ideal of beauty that is impossible for most girls to achieve. According to research by Rehabs.com, if Barbie were a real woman, she would have a 16-inch waist, a 39-inch bust, a 33-inch hip, a 6-inch wrist, a 3-inch ankle, a 9-inch neck, a size 3 shoe, a weight of 110 pounds, and a height of 5 feet 9 inches. She would also have a body mass index (BMI) of 16.24, which is considered severely underweight and unhealthy. She would also have many health problems, such as chronic back pain, infertility, osteoporosis, and organ failure. She would also need to walk on all fours due to her proportions.
Therefore, playing with Barbie dolls could make girls feel dissatisfied and insecure about their own bodies, and lead them to develop eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
The excessive materialism and consumerism of Barbie dolls
Another criticism of Barbie dolls is that they promote excessive materialism and consumerism among children who play with them. Materialism is the belief that material possessions and wealth are the most important things in life, while consumerism is the tendency to buy and consume goods and services in excess of one's needs.
Many critics argue that Barbie dolls encourage children to value material things over other aspects of life, such as relationships, education, health, and happiness. They claim that Barbie dolls represent a lavish and luxurious lifestyle that is unrealistic and unsustainable for most people. They also point out that Barbie dolls create a constant demand for more products and accessories, which fuels a cycle of consumption and waste.
According to research by Agnes Nairn et al., children who play with Barbie dolls show more signs of materialism than children who play with other toys or no toys at all. The study observed the behavior of children aged 7-11 as they played with different toys in a laboratory setting. The study found that children who played with Barbie dolls were more likely to choose expensive items over cheaper ones, to prefer branded items over generic ones, to express dissatisfaction with their current possessions, and to request more items from their parents.
Therefore, playing with Barbie dolls could make children more materialistic and consumerist, which could affect their values, attitudes, and behaviors in the future.
The cultural appropriation and stereotyping of Barbie dolls
A third criticism of Barbie dolls is that they engage in cultural appropriation and stereotyping of different ethnicities, cultures, and regions. Cultural appropriation is the act of taking or using elements from another culture without proper respect or acknowledgment, while stereotyping is the act of making generalized and oversimplified assumptions about a group of people based on their characteristics.
Many critics accuse Barbie dolls of appropriating and stereotyping various cultures and regions by dressing them in exotic costumes, giving them inaccurate names, or portraying them in a superficial or offensive way. Some examples of these are the Native American Barbie (1992), which wore a feather headdress and a fringed dress; the Oriental Barbie (1980), which had slanted eyes and wore a kimono; the Eskimo Barbie (1981), which wore a fur coat and boots; the Spanish Barbie (1989), which wore a flamenco dress and a mantilla; and the African American Christie (1968), which was essentially a white doll painted brown.
Therefore, playing with Barbie dolls could make children less aware and respectful of the diversity and complexity of different cultures and regions, and more prone to adopt stereotypes and prejudices about them.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Barbie doll is a fashion icon and a cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of children's play and development. It has a rich history and evolution that reflects the changing times and technologies. It has many benefits and impacts on children's development, such as stimulating the brain and fostering empathy, enhancing creativity and imagination, and promoting positive role models and career aspirations. However, it also faces many controversies and challenges in society, such as having unrealistic body proportions and beauty standards, promoting excessive materialism and consumerism, and engaging in cultural appropriation and stereotyping of different ethnicities, cultures, and regions.
Recommendations for parents and educators
Given the benefits and challenges of Barbie dolls, what can parents and educators do to help children enjoy playing with them in a healthy and positive way? Here are some recommendations:
Encourage children to play with a variety of dolls and toys, not just Barbie dolls. This can help them develop a more balanced and realistic view of themselves and others, and expose them to different cultures and perspectives.
Monitor and limit the amount of time and money that children spend on Barbie dolls and related products. This can help them avoid becoming too materialistic and consumerist, and focus more on other aspects of life, such as relationships, education, health, and happiness.
Discuss and educate children about the issues and controversies that Barbie dolls raise, such as body image, beauty standards, cultural appropriation, and stereotyping. This can help them develop critical thinking and media literacy skills, and become more aware and respectful of the diversity and complexity of different cultures and regions.
Future prospects for Barbie dolls
What does the future hold for Barbie dolls? Will they continue to be popular and influential, or will they fade away and be replaced by other toys? Based on the current trends and developments, it seems that Barbie dolls will remain relevant and successful for the foreseeable future. Here are some reasons why:
Barbie dolls are constantly evolving and adapting to the changing times and technologies. They are always introducing new products and characters that reflect the current trends and preferences of the consumers. They are also embracing the digital age by creating online platforms and content that engage and entertain the audience.
Barbie dolls are expanding their reach and appeal to a wider and more diverse market. They are creating dolls that represent different ethnicities, cultures, regions, body types, fashion styles, personalities, interests, and careers. They are also collaborating with influential figures and organizations that inspire and empower girls around the world.
Barbie dolls are addressing their controversies and challenges by listening to the feedback and criticism of their stakeholders. They are making efforts to improve their products and practices to be more inclusive, realistic, respectful, and responsible. They are also supporting social causes and initiatives that align with their values and vision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Barbie doll is a fashion icon and a cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of children's play and development. It has a rich history and evolution that reflects the changing times and technologies. It has many benefits and impacts on children's development, such as stimulating the brain and fostering empathy, enhancing creativity and imagination, and promoting positive role models and career aspirations. However, it also faces many controversies and challenges in society, such as having unrealistic body proportions and beauty standards, promoting excessive materialism and consumerism, and engaging in cultural appropriation and stereotyping of different ethnicities, cultures, and regions. Therefore, parents and educators should encourage children to play with a variety of dolls and toys, monitor and limit their time and money spent on Barbie dolls and related products, and discuss and educate them about the issues and controversies that Barbie dolls raise. Barbie dolls will likely remain relevant and successful for the foreseeable future, as they are constantly evolving and adapting to the changing times and technologies, expanding their reach and appeal to a wider and more diverse market, and addressing their controversies and challenges by listening to the feedback and criticism of their stakeholders.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Barbie dolls:
When was Barbie doll invented?
Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler, who used a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. She named the doll after her daughter Barbara.
How many Barbie dolls are sold each year?
It is estimated that two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world every second of every day, which earns them roughly $1.5 billion dollars per year.
What are some of the most popular Barbie dolls?
Some of the most popular Barbie dolls are the original 1959 Barbie doll, the 1965 Astronaut Barbie doll, the 1977 Superstar Barbie doll, the 1980 Black Barbie doll, the 1992 Totally Hair Barbie doll, the 2009 Computer Engineer Barbie doll, and the 2016 Fashionistas Barbie doll.
What are some of the most controversial Barbie dolls?
Some of the most controversial Barbie dolls are the 1963 Babysitter Barbie doll, which came with a book titled "How to Lose Weight" that advised "Don't eat"; the 1975 Growing Up Skipper doll, which grew breasts when her arm was twisted; the 1985 Day-to-Night Barbie doll, which transformed from a businesswoman to a party girl; the 1997 Share-a-Smile Becky doll, which was a wheelchair-using friend of Barbie that could not fit into the elevator of the Barbie Dreamhouse; and the 2003 Oreo Fun Barbie doll, which was a black version of a doll that shared its name with a derogatory term for a person who is "black on the outside and white on the inside".
What are some of the future plans for Barbie dolls?
Some of the future plans for Barbie dolls are to create more diverse and inclusive dolls that represent different ethnicities, cultures, regions, body types, fashion styles, personalities, interests, and careers; to collaborate with more influential figures and organizations that inspire and empower girls around the world; to support more social causes and initiatives that align with their values and vision; and to create more online platforms and content that engage and entertain the audience.
44f88ac181
Comments