One of the most famous fashion icons is turning 50. She has had over one hundred careers, thousands of styles, and she is plastic. Barbie’s 50th anniversary marks her half century as one of little girl’s favorite dolls. Mattel launched Barbie in March 1959 and has since become one of their most successful and most notorious toys. During New York Fashion Week there was a special tribute to Barbie’s iconic trends. American designers, including Diane Von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein, designed life size outfits for models to strut down the runway, chronicling Barbie’s past looks (seen left) and extended into future fashions. However, Barbie's 50th milestone is not being celebrated without debate. While Barbie has had huge victories, she has also had many failures. Controversies surrounding her career choices, her disproportionate body, and some of her doll friends are once again coming to the forefront. The same time as her birthday, officially March 9th, came the release of a new Barbie, Totally Stylin’ Tattoos Barbie. Barbie has been a teacher, astronaut, and doctor, just to name a few. Along with a lengthy list of professions, Barbie can now add tattoo enthusiast. Not everyone is elated with the new doll, which features a purple tattoo gun and dozens of tattoos that can be placed anywhere on Barbie or a child’s skin. This week I have examined a post by JR Raphael for The Inquisitr, which takes a closer look at the new dolls reception from the public. Additionally, I reflected on a post entitled “Barbie Gets Edgy New Makeover” by Emerald Catron. This post also speaks of Barbie’s new look, but in addition the author examines West Virginia’s State Delegate Jeff Eldridge’s campaign for a ban on not just Tattoo Barbie, but all of them. My response to both these posts may be found below, as well as at their respective sites.
“Tattooed Barbie Stirs Up Controversy”
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Some parents do not love Barbie’s new affinity for tattoos. Though, as your post states, Mattel thinks Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie can be used as a creative outlet for children, parents are not as enthused. Parents criticize TV shows and movies for makings today’s youth more violent, sexualized, or rebellious, they are following the same theory with Tattoo Barbie, without taking any responsibility themselves. Firstly, if parents do not buy the doll for
their daughter she will not play with it. It is the adults who have the power. Secondly, just because children are surrounded by media, and in this case a toy, does not mean parents can stop parenting. Instead of decrying a doll for possibly making a child want a tattoo, parents should talk to their kids about that decision. As one parent states, “Now she’s teaching our little girls how to apply tramp stamps.” That is giving Barbie a lot of credit. If parents do not want their daughter to have a “tramp stamp” then it is up to them to talk to their child. This goes for several situations. Just as parents should not rely on movies for their children to learn about sex, dolls should not teach kids behaviors, such as getting a tattoo, which is permanent and can be dangerous.Furthermore, although there is abundant talk about the affect toys can have on a child’s behavior, there is no empirical research about the impact of Barbie on girl’s lives. Therefore, parents should stop putting responsibility on outside entities, and instead focus on relationships with their children. After all, parents are the one’s that should ultimately guide and shape a child’s decisions, not a toy. Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie is just that and should be treated as such.
“Barbie Gets Edgy New Makeover”
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Many things need to be put on the political agenda today, especially in this economic crisis; Barbie is not one of them. West Virginia State Delegate Jeff Eldridge apparently does not agree. In your post you quote Eldridge as stating, “I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart.” Who says Barbie is not smart? She is a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian, nurse, teacher, and the list continues. Granted, she is also a fairy princess, but I do not think it is accurate to assume Barbie’s looks have anything to do with her IQ. One of Barbie’s most controversial identities was Teen Talk Barbie; in which on of her phrases was “math class is tough.” However, Mattel quickly corrected the talking computer chip when the American Association of University Women attacked the company. Because the company was so receptive to the complaint back in the early 1990’s I think it only shows how concerned the company is about Barbie’s reputation. Barbie is everywoman. She can be as smart or dumb as a child’s imagination will take her. Eldridge states he is concerned that Barbie has an unhealthy body image, but he neglects to note any of the positives Barbie possesses.
While toys are becoming more technologically driven, they in turn, are creating a lack of imagination it takes to play with them. It takes creativity when playing with a doll like Barbie. The world of pretend and make believe are getting pushed aside for video games and TV programming. This is the true travesty. Video games can harm childhood development in several ways including lack of social interaction. Although I do not think these should be banned any more than Barbie should, they are much more detrimental. Barbie uses imagination and social interaction. She is far less harmful than other games children play. Barbie’s possess many positive qualities which Eldridge is choosing to overlook. Barbie has been around for 50 years, and we will be lucky and in no worse condition if she is around for 50 more.
Kelly, I greatly enjoyed reading your post about one of America’s most popular and widespread creations. You accurately and professionally depicted the controversy which is now surrounding a seemingly harmless toy nearly all American children have encountered. I follow your logic in finding it a bit ridiculous for people to create such boisterous qualms over a children’s toy. If it were discovered that Barbie’s tattoos had lead paint in it or that one of her tattoo applicator posed as a choking hazard for children to play with then I could understand the outrage of politicians; however, Barbie simply has not done this, in stead her makers are simply trying to diversify their product in an extremely competitive market. Furthermore, if parents are so concerned about the impressionability of their children, then they should realize what their children’s greatest influence is—their own parenting. Again I agree with your assertion that if parents are so outraged then the simple solution is to not purchase this product. This post’s issues seems to fall into a growing debate of whether regulating our children’s lives should fall into the hands of government or parents. I am a firm believer—and after reading this post I think you are too—that in stead of sterilizing our children’s lives from harm, we should teach them how to make their own correct decisions.
ReplyDeleteOverall this is a great post which highlights a current and relevant topic in our lives today. You show both sides of the debate and further the argument with your own thoughts and opinions for which I applaud you.