Are You a Barbie Girl?, Revised. (301 )

Since 1959, “Barbie” has been influencing girls around the world, specifically in the United States, to upkeep a warped image of beauty. The Barbie doll started as a teenage fashion doll, clad in her black and white one piece. However, Barbie quickly went farther and became an idol for young girls, although she is an inanimate object. This idolization of Barbie was tragic and unhealthy because Barbie is so disproportionate that if she was scaled up to human size, she would lack the body fat necessary to menstruate!

She has become an idol for girls because of her seemingly desirable body shape, and because of her evolution through the decades to become almost any profession that exists. Barbie is a doctor, teacher, astronaut, and many others. Who would have thought she could fit all of this into her schedule between trips to the shopping mall?

However, when keeping the historical context in mind, it is important to realize that Barbie did not become a professional until women started entering the workforce in society. This is a direct mirroring of culture, as the Barbie was created in 1959, when women were generally not in the workforce. Barbie actually started out as a “feminine toolkit” for girls to learn how to become proper women modeled after their Barbies. Clothing items such as girdles and wedding dresses, as well as physical features such as a large bust, red lipstick, and freckle-free skin all suggested how girls should grow up to be nice feminine women.

Barbie dolls are still popular among young girls. This makes clear Mattel’s good market skills and evolution as a company. However, before it’s too late, young girls, teens, women, as well as companies who appeal to them, should realize the damage that can be done when idolizing such an object.