Barbie

People have been saying consistently over the years that barbie acts as a negative role model for both our young boys and girls, however parents keep buying them for their children. Why? If these dolls are such bad roll models then why do parents keep shelling out the money to buy them year after year, day after day? The answer lies with the fact that many parents do not think anything of this unassuming piece of plastic named "Barbie". They view it as just a doll for their daughters and nothing more; not some kind of propaganda aimed at giving all of our nations young girls the idea that they must be incredibly skinny to suceed in life. Sure, I'll admit that these dolls may have some effect on our nations youth but they are not the leading cause of this poor self image our young girls hold within themselves. To be honest, I find that barbie dolls create more of a positive image for young girls than a negative one. The negative aspect is there, but the positives outweight them. Barbie shows girls that they can be anything they want to; she has been in almost every career imaginable and acts as a somewhat positive roll model for young girls. In my opinion, the most damaging "roll models" are the ever-present actresses and models that cover almost every piece of merchandise in society. If there is anything that will give girls a poor self-image it's these advertisements and posters. Barbies may be a reminder of the "perfect woman" at home, but these other women are EVERYWHERE else.

Comments

[Aubrey Levesque]

Preston, I think you made some amazing points in your post. As a whole I agree with basically the entire thing. You are right about how their has been controversy about the Barbie doll over the years, and how no matter what, parents still supply their children with them anyway. I think there is just not enough bad thoughts about the Barbie doll to diminish her popularity. Your right about parents seeing her as just a doll for children, because the children see her as just a doll as well. Not anything that should be bashed. Your right about the doll not being something that teaches young girls to be self concious and it actually being movie stars and models doing it. That really is what it is, not a doll. Girls know and understand that the doll is not a real person and they should be comfortable with themselves.
I agree, and actually put in my post about Barbie being a role model because of her many talents. Like how she was a doctor, teacher and many other careers and showed many other talents. This shows girls to be anything they want and learn new things. Her image has changed over the years, so the problems that people once had have changed and technically been resolved.
I think you did a great job with this post and make important and new points. I agree with everything you said and think that Barbie is a good role model for girls. Just because she is attractive, does not mean that is a bad thing and will hurt girls in the long run. Barbie is accomplished and a great role model for girls, generation after generation and she still grows in popularity.