Comments on: The Sex Addict Who Engineered Barbie http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/ Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:48:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kimberly http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Kimberly Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:14:00 +0000 http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=108#comment-6 I have noticed that at least recently, the shape of Barbie has been changed. Her breast size in particular is much smaller. Though they claim the message is different, it still persists. I was looking for dolls for my niece last summer and attempted to find one that sent a message that it was okay to be a professional in a non-traditional female role. The closest I cam was a doctor Barbie. The problem with that is that the only female dolls that were doctors were called "Baby Doctor Barbie". Even that would be fine if they had one that was maybe a general M.D. or surgeon of some type. No, they still enforce stereotypes with the types of messages they send with the dolls. Things like women are always associated with motherhood and/or being a good wife, etc. I have noticed that at least recently, the shape of Barbie has been changed. Her breast size in particular is much smaller. Though they claim the message is different, it still persists. I was looking for dolls for my niece last summer and attempted to find one that sent a message that it was okay to be a professional in a non-traditional female role. The closest I cam was a doctor Barbie. The problem with that is that the only female dolls that were doctors were called “Baby Doctor Barbie”. Even that would be fine if they had one that was maybe a general M.D. or surgeon of some type. No, they still enforce stereotypes with the types of messages they send with the dolls. Things like women are always associated with motherhood and/or being a good wife, etc.

]]> By: Greenpointer http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Greenpointer Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:24:06 +0000 http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=108#comment-5 Great report! Fascinating stuff. Great report! Fascinating stuff.

]]> By: Jacquelynne Bernstein http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jacquelynne Bernstein Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:55:23 +0000 http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=108#comment-4 All in all, I thought that both blogs were intriguing and informative. I agree with most of the points, but at the same time, almost anything made for kids could be construed negatively. This presents the question of, what DOES make an appropriate doll? I recently heard of young girls being upset that their heads were not over-sized like Bratz dolls. I personally was quite the tomboy, but was somewhat fond of American Girl dolls. They were accompanied by stories that reflected what it was like to grow up in various time periods, and they appeared as young girls. Of course, it could be argued that the African-American slave girl or the blond pioneer girl or the rich Victorian girl were stereotypical, but almost anything can be taken that way. Perhaps it is even wrong that an obese girl wasn't represented, though some would argue that that implies that obesity, which often correlates with health issues, is acceptable. There are many gray areas. What resonated most for me was the history of Barbie and the man behind it. Those facts make Barbie seem almost undeniably unsuitable for children. The Oreo Barbie was also definitely extreme. I also agree that Barbie's proportions should be different, but to account for every possible body type or anything like that would be far-reaching. Overall, many valid points were made, and it did instill within me some contempt for Mattel Barbie. All in all, I thought that both blogs were intriguing and informative. I agree with most of the points, but at the same time, almost anything made for kids could be construed negatively. This presents the question of, what DOES make an appropriate doll? I recently heard of young girls being upset that their heads were not over-sized like Bratz dolls. I personally was quite the tomboy, but was somewhat fond of American Girl dolls. They were accompanied by stories that reflected what it was like to grow up in various time periods, and they appeared as young girls. Of course, it could be argued that the African-American slave girl or the blond pioneer girl or the rich Victorian girl were stereotypical, but almost anything can be taken that way. Perhaps it is even wrong that an obese girl wasn’t represented, though some would argue that that implies that obesity, which often correlates with health issues, is acceptable. There are many gray areas. What resonated most for me was the history of Barbie and the man behind it. Those facts make Barbie seem almost undeniably unsuitable for children. The Oreo Barbie was also definitely extreme. I also agree that Barbie’s proportions should be different, but to account for every possible body type or anything like that would be far-reaching. Overall, many valid points were made, and it did instill within me some contempt for Mattel Barbie.

]]> By: Sara http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Sara Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:37:52 +0000 http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=108#comment-2 My future daughter will not have a barbie! When I was younger I hated Barbies. My sister loved them and I would pull the heads off her barbies. I guess I've always be a little weird. My future daughter will not have a barbie!

When I was younger I hated Barbies. My sister loved them and I would pull the heads off her barbies. I guess I’ve always be a little weird.

]]> By: Laura http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/03/the-sex-lies-behind-barbie-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Laura Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:16:20 +0000 http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=108#comment-3 Most of this can be very true for some girls but on the other hand, my 3 year old daughter is in love with barbie and she has absolutely no idea what a cup size is or anything like that. She likes the fact that its a mini-her that she can make mock things that she does. Maybe instead of banning barbies they should just change their figure to have more variety in size and shape, other than just pregnant barbie. I grew up on barbies and I don't think I ever once looked at my barbie and said that I was jealous of her, usually it was the girls at school getting the boys that make you more jealous than a doll. Most of this can be very true for some girls but on the other hand, my 3 year old daughter is in love with barbie and she has absolutely no idea what a cup size is or anything like that. She likes the fact that its a mini-her that she can make mock things that she does. Maybe instead of banning barbies they should just change their figure to have more variety in size and shape, other than just pregnant barbie. I grew up on barbies and I don’t think I ever once looked at my barbie and said that I was jealous of her, usually it was the girls at school getting the boys that make you more jealous than a doll.

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