Speaking Volumes

“Barbie.”
 
According to author Tanya Lee Stone, all you have to do is say the word and a debate will be sparked. Particularly from women, who often have strong feelings about Barbie, ranging from love and adoration to utter contempt. Tanya Lee Stone explores the history of Barbie and the range of opinions associated with the doll in her new book The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie; A Doll’s History and her Impact on Us. It came in an order of new books this week and the cover caught my eye. I brought it home out of curiosity and intended on browsing through it and bringing it right back. But, it’s fascinating! I can’t put it down, and I am on my way to reading it cover to cover.
 
  
 
The Good:
The story behind Barbie’s inventor, Ruth Handler, is definitely inspiring. Born in 1916, she broke the mold as she collaborated with her artist husband to build the biggest toy company of all time. Also, many of the women interviewed (including author Meg Cabot in her introduction) argued that they used Barbie to act out the dreams they had for their own futures, by making their Barbie be a teacher, detective, veterinarian, or astronaut.
 
The Bad:
Of course many people interviewed feel that Barbie has a very negative influence on young girls, with her unrealistic, unattainable body. One little girl quoted in the book sums it up like this, “The real message [Barbie sends], is you can be who wanna be… if you’re pretty enough.” Of course, over the years Mattel has definitely spurred on some of this negative backlash with products like 1965’s  ‘Slumber Party Barbie’ who came with a scale set at 110 and a book titled How to Lose Weight, Rule #1: Don’t eat!.
 
The Barbie:
 
      

       
 
Personally, I’m torn about Barbie. I had Barbies when I was young and I liked them. I liked changing their clothes, changing their names, and I REALLY liked cutting their hair. However, I don’t know how I would feel about buying Barbie and all her accessories if I was a mother to a young girl. Maybe by the time I finish this book I’ll have a more definite opinion. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Barbie – good, bad, or otherwise?


*******New Addition*******

Immediately after posting this blog Carol, Su and I got into a discussion about Barbie. Su brought up the Skipper that 'grew a chest' when you raised her arm. Now, I did not remember this, but it's true! Su quickly sent me the link to 'Growing up Skipper.' Advertised as "Two dolls in One," when you turned the left arm she grew a modest bust line, slimmer waist and became 3/4" taller (turning the arm back again changed her into the previous shape doll). Here she is:

  

Maybe not one of their best ideas!