Ever since March of 1959, the Barbie doll has been influencing girls and young women around the world, and especially in the United States, to upkeep an unrealistic image of beauty through the standards of a disproportionate little play doll. The Barbie doll started out as a teenage fashion doll in her black and white one piece swim suit, but quickly went past a fashion toy and became an object for girls to idolize and try to become. This idolization of Barbie was so tragic and unhealthy because Barbie is so disproportionate that if she was scaled up to the size of a human being, she would lack the body fat necessary in order to even menstruate!
She has become an idol for girls not only because of her seemingly desirable body shape, but also because she has evolved over the decades to become almost any profession that exists. Barbie is a doctor, teacher, astronaut, and many other things, and who would have thought she could fit all of these things into her schedule while shopping so often? However, when keeping the historical context in mind, it is important to realize that Barbie did not become a doctor or teacher until women starting entering the workforce more commonly. This is a direct mirroring of culture, because the Barbie started out in 1959, when a woman in the workforce was more of an unheard-of phenomenon. Barbie actually started out as a feminine toolkit for girls to learn how to become proper women based off of their Barbie dolls. Clothing items such as girdles and wedding dresses, as well as physical features such as a large bust line, bright red lips, and freckle-free skin all suggested how little girls should grow up to be nice pretty feminine women.
Barbie dolls are still very popular among young girls, a fact which 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 advertisement companies who appeal to these aforementioned populations, should realize the damage that can be done when idolizing such an object.
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