ChristinaTherese Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 So, I'm writing a research paper about Barbies for my Globalization class, and wondered what you all think of them and their cultural impact. Are they good? If not, why? What do you think of "ethnic" Barbies, particularly for those of you who are not white Americans? What do they do to/for the little girls who play with them? These are just a few thoughts. Any ideas? (And, no, this won't likely have any bearing on my paper at all. I'm just curious.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLordsSouljah Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 While I don't think there is any inherent harm in a Barbie doll, the dolls themselves are actually an impossible figure for a woman to have. Far too tall, hips to tiny, etc. Even though they are only small the girls who play with them, the image that this is the picture of a woman that I need to be (which is pretty much impossible for most) so that people will think them beautiful cannot be a good thing. I think ethnics are fine, but I live in Australia where we are all of different ethnicities, and you can hardly have a 1000-person parish without about 40 different countries in it. However, the first reasons stated for Barbies in general don't change. Best of luck with your paper!! have fun!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) I hope this turns into a modesty thread. Edited May 23, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) I think that one of the things that bothers me about Barbies now is the figure. I think it would have been better if it was more realistic, not just because the girls might try to follow an unrealistic standard of beauty, but because it shows beauty as the very stereotypical and somewhat perhaps sexualized view. They can be pretty but in a more innocent sort of way, like dolls in the past. Also, the vanity and sometimes the clothing these days is not really appropriate. They're also painted as if they have tons of makeup on, as well. (like coloured eyeshadow etc). I've seen some dolls - not Barbies but others, new ones, I don't know what they're called - that kind of scared me because of just how they were and had sooooo much "makeup" on. I don't think that's necessary or helpful. It's like MTV in doll form :P I guess maybe I like old fashioned dolls more. That being said, as a kid maybe since I wasn't exposed to stuff like today's kids are (like them watching music videos of Lady Gaga, all the stuff on tv, etc) - maybe I didn't make that connection and it didn't have such a big effect on me as it could have. Also I think my first Barbies, had a bit of a different figure: maybe they weren't actual "Barbies" but another similar doll, I dont know. Edited May 23, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I played with G I Joes. Having all those older brothers meant I got boy hand me downs. I think the role playing is great for the imagination. I didn't really think about them sexually. Of course GI Joes are pretty asexual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) I had a few he-man figures which where all mega muscles, and i also had a transformer,a mighty machine man,some lego,a care bear(grumpy bear.) and a few other teddies. I used to play with the lego and other stuff at the same time,not including the teddies. Maybe that helped me to play better with a variety of different people. And i do seem to have a body complex in being ashamed of my body and wanting to be muscular, unsure if that is a consequence from the he-men. And always wanting to be the top player, he-man and the masters of the universe and the autobot transformers where always the best and never lost a battle, i avoid super hero stuff now, i actually hate it now and am trying to restore my dignity of being just a man, an ordinary man that wins sometimes and looses sometimes and doesn't have to chuck a tantrum when he looses and make a mess of his room, which i do by drinking excessive alcohol. I rekon super hero fantasy and other fantasy in general has a lot to do with low self esteem for myself and for alot of other people, and we all need a reality check. Edited May 23, 2013 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I didnt play with them much as a kid. I knew I didnt look anything like them but I dont know they did some sort of subconscious damage to my self esteem rofl. I chopped off all their hair and swung them around on a string....needless to say I preferred stuffed animals as a child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I think it's interesting that the age of the girls who play with them has gone way down since they came out. When I was a girl in the 70s, it was not unheard of for grade-school aged girls to play with them. In fact, I didn't even *get* my first real Barbie until I was ten! I never really thought much about the body shape. It didn't really influence me at all, I don't think. We also played with Fisher Price Little People well into grade school. It's funny that now these are both considered preschool age toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I played with Barbies as a kid. My brother would pull their heads off, my sister and I would get annoyed, and my dad would glue the heads back on, meaning the Barbies would no longer have necks. They looked better that way, somehow. I didn't really see them as wrong while I played with them. I don't see them as inherently "wrong" now, but the warped appearance of the Barbie could by all means have the potential to form a very skewed view of beauty and appearance in young girls. And don't even get me started on those Bratz doll things. They're just a recipe for disaster. If you haven't seen something like this already, it may be of interest to you: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/barbie-real-womaan-anatomically-impossible-article-1.1316533 Happy writing! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) So, I'm writing a research paper about Barbies for my Globalization class, and wondered what you all think of them and their cultural impact. Are they good? If not, why? What do you think of "ethnic" Barbies, particularly for those of you who are not white Americans? What do they do to/for the little girls who play with them? These are just a few thoughts. Any ideas? (And, no, this won't likely have any bearing on my paper at all. I'm just curious.) I Have always played with barbies growing up. The thing about barbies is that children are impressionable. They learn what society teaches them and they are thirsty to find out what everything is all about. So, when we give kids barbies, we are teaching them what they are supposed to look like. We are saying good girls are skinny and have all right curves in all the right places. This gets imprinted on their brain and will have some sort of effect of them even if its only subconscious. And with the Ken dolls we are teaching girls that good guys are buff. To teach kids this idealism is kinda ridiculous. But, if they stop playing with them early enough, they might just forget about them. So in that case no harm done. And let me also mention that all barbies are upper middle class to upper class citizens. I have not seen one barbie marketed for a lower class or homeless audience. Edited May 23, 2013 by Annie12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLordsSouljah Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I played with Barbies as a kid. My brother would pull their heads off, my sister and I would get annoyed, and my dad would glue the heads back on, meaning the Barbies would no longer have necks. They looked better that way, somehow. I didn't really see them as wrong while I played with them. I don't see them as inherently "wrong" now, but the warped appearance of the Barbie could by all means have the potential to form a very skewed view of beauty and appearance in young girls. And don't even get me started on those Bratz doll things. They're just a recipe for disaster. If you haven't seen something like this already, it may be of interest to you: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/barbie-real-womaan-anatomically-impossible-article-1.1316533 Happy writing! :) Wow, you should see monster dolls! https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS27FGj7-k2_IW1RP4xE_uKqkFpJ6SAQ04Ydv7gGP35d_V8LwzD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I never really thought about it. Although the majority of the Barbies I had weren't the "classic" Barbie but Ariel, Pocahontas, Belle, yadda yadda. I played Disney stories with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Not a fan. I don't think we will be getting Barbies for our daughter(s). Not that it will twist them into tarts or something, but rather the glamourness that accompanies it. I really loathe the Barbie themed stuff. I can't buy my daughter something pink w/o it being Barbie themed. Not even a sleeping bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Not a fan. I don't think we will be getting Barbies for our daughter(s). Not that it will twist them into tarts or something, but rather the glamourness that accompanies it. I really loathe the Barbie themed stuff. I can't buy my daughter something pink w/o it being Barbie themed. Not even a sleeping bag. There has definately been a shift. As I mentioned above, Barbie used to be a roll-playing toy for the 6-11 crowd-- girls who were generally too old for baby dolls. Now it's an industry with the Barbie logo splashed on everything. I can't even believe that many young girls who have them even play with them the same way my friends and I did. My daughter got a few for her fourth and fifth birthdays but I don't really think she played with them all that much. Maybe a handful of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 There has definately been a shift. As I mentioned above, Barbie used to be a roll-playing toy for the 6-11 crowd-- girls who were generally too old for baby dolls. Now it's an industry with the Barbie logo splashed on everything. I can't even believe that many young girls who have them even play with them the same way my friends and I did. My daughter got a few for her fourth and fifth birthdays but I don't really think she played with them all that much. Maybe a handful of times. Yes. I remember my sister playing with Barbie at about 10 years old. Personally, Barbies and firecrackers are a great way to torment you sister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now