barbie Question?

Question

Ok, I need help gang. In some individuals mind's Barbie is a toy - nothing more. Alternatively, barbie is a social phenomenon that creates unrealistic goals for the "perfect" woman. I am so stuck on 1 last point I can argue for and against Barbie only being a toy. here is what I have so far:

VII.1. Children's play is a major contributor to the process of socialization and that objects children play with demand some internal representation
Vs.
Barbie is a toy doll that allows children to understand the process of socialization and stimulates imagination to grow.

2. Barbie creates unrealistic expectations for young girls by allowing them to believe thin and pretty is the expectation set for women.
Vs.
If Barbie so unhealthy with her shape-then why are there no complaints about Mr. Potato head’s portly protrusion? Can we not blame Mr. Potato head for plastic surgery and being stuck with our own eyes, ears, nose and mouth?

Can anyone help me create a 3rd point?! PLEASE

Answer 1

An important aspect to a child's development is its need to identify itself and it does so by its relation to others. A child will see its relationship to a 'Mr. Potato Head' as simply a toy. A Barbie however is something that it recognizes to be human, and therefore identifies with it. As such, an identification with Barbie will result due to a young child's need to determine oneself, while it will not with a Mr. Potato Head because it understands that the relationship is non-existant.

Answer 2

The Mattel corporation received so much complaint about Barbie's figure that in 1997 they gave Barbie a new figure with more realistic proportions. She was given smaller hips and a smaller bustline, along with a more realistically curved waistline. I think her eyes might have been scaled down a little too.
According to Wikipedia
One of the most common criticisms of Barbie is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for a woman, leading to a risk that women who attempt to emulate her will become anorexic. Critics have argued that for a woman to have Barbie's body, she would need to be 7 feet 2 inches tall, weigh 115-130 pounds, have 30 to 36 inch hips, an 18 to 23 inch waist and a 38 to 48 inch bust. Additionally, she would lack the 17 to 22 percent body fat required for a woman to menstruate. In 1997 Barbie was redesigned and given a wider waist, with Mattel saying that this would make the doll better suited to contemporary fashion designs

Vs.

Why is Barbie's body image in particular so impressionable to society that adults would demand she has a more realistic body image after 38 years, when other popular dolls such as Bratz or Polly Pocket are obviously not realistically proportioned.

Answer 3

How about something along the idea that most of Barbie's "Careers" have focused on traditional female roles (flight attendant, ice skater, princess) withouth allowing for any sort of non-traditional roles (granted there is dr. barbie.. but there isn't a professor barbie, or scientist barbie, or race car driver barbie).

Also there is the idea that even when Barbie makes a vain attempt to be more well rounded, such as including other cultures/skin tones, they are completely untrue to the originating culture. I.e. Native Americans did not wear high heeled shoes, and some ethnicities have (in general) a different body shape. (And there was also the fun debacle where the Wheelchair Barbie couldn't fit through the door of Barbie's dream house)

Answer 4

My sister had a barbie many years ago. Her boobs (the dolls)were nice as soon as her clothes came off. Then it was just "another doll". Plastic make believe doll.

I would not loose to much sleep over a plastic doll. I think your comparisons are a lot of poppycock.

I have a barbie of my own now. Has nice legs and a nice rack on her. When I get her covers off and all opened up, I then fool around with her till she gets well heated and then I throw some meat to her and,
Boy She, really starts cookin then!!!
I just keep her there in the back yard so I know where she is.

Answer 5

Personally I am stuck on the second scenario. Barbie, creates unrealistic expectations for young girls, in many ways. When first introduced was only Caucasian, then to branch out into minority pockets an African American Barbie was introduced and was introduced at a time of heightened racial tension. When my aunt bought me my first Barbie, I want to say in 66 or 67, she was my most unplayed with doll. I couldn't relate to the car, the house, or the occupations, it was just too unreal in my all "Black" household and my all "Black" life. Not to mention that even the African American Barbie doesn't have an African American shapeor African American features. I never bought a Barbie doll for any of my daughters until 2003 when my middle daughter graduated from college and she requested the 2003 doll for her collection and more than likely I will not purchase a Barbie for any of my granddaughters. Barbie while she is just a doll she has been an American institution for many young girls, of many colors, personally she will never run reign in the Black Community, because in Barbie's vast life and achievements, none of them of even touched anywhere near a "Black" lifestyle, yes the young African American girls will want them and yes their parents will buy them, but what lesson will Barbie teach them, Barbie could never relate or even survive in many "Black" households. Barbie is one toy Mattel did not get and will not get my money for.

Answer 6

How about using an imagination angle,such as why do little girls make up a whole events that Barbie can do.

Answer 7

3. Barbie appears to be idle. Yet, she is beautiful and rich. It seems to send the message all a girl needs in life is her looks. It discourages girls from thinking they have to be responsible for their own destinies and seems to imply hard work, intelligence and perseverance are only desirable qualities in a man and don't matter in a woman.