We’ve all been infected, I mean affected, by Barbie in some way throughout our lives. We’ve either loved her or hated her and most of us forgot about her……until recently.
Barbie was created by Ruth Handler and introduced to the world by Mattel, Inc., the toy company she co-founded with her husband Elliot, at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959, the date of Barbie’s official birthday, (Barbie was born 19 years old).
Ruth Handler got the idea for Barbie when she noticed her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls and giving them adult roles. Until then, most dolls represented infants. Ruth suggested the idea of an adult-bodied doll to her husband and the other Mattel executives, but they were unenthusiastic. On a trip to Europe, Ruth Handler came across a German doll named Bild Lilli, which was more or less what she had in mind — a doll with an adult body. She bought a few of them and brought them back to the United States. Mattel then reworked the design of the doll and named her Barbie, after Ruth and Elliot Handler’s daughter, Barbara.
The first Barbie doll wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit and had a ponytail, available as either a blonde or brunette. The doll was an instant success, and Barbie has since become one of the best-selling toys in history, with billions of Barbie dolls sold in over 150 countries. Over the years, Barbie has evolved to reflect changing social trends and public opinion, becoming available in a range of body types, skin tones, and careers which is exactly what Ruth originally wanted: a doll that encouraged little girls to believe they could become whatever they wanted.
Experiences with Barbie have varied greatly from person to person. Positively she enabled kids to use their imagination. Role-playing with Barbies helps in the development of storytelling abilities, creative thinking, and vocabulary since children often create complex scenarios and narratives around their dolls, which is beneficial for cognitive development.
Barbie has created diverse career representations over the years because she has taken on many roles, from astronaut to doctor to computer engineer, introducing children to a variety of careers that encourages children, especially girls, to aspire to careers beyond traditional gender roles. Mattel has made strides in making the Barbie line more diverse and inclusive. They now have Barbies of different ethnicities, body types, and abilities, which helps children see themselves represented and understand the value of diversity.
Playing with Barbie dolls often involves multiple players, facilitating social interactions and cooperation between children. They can develop negotiation skills, empathy, and understanding of social norms and cues through their play while tuning their fine motor skills by dressing and undressing the dolls, brushing their hair, or changing their shoes. Some Barbies even come with educational materials like books or apps that provide additional learning opportunities. For example, a Barbie that is a veterinarian might come with information about animal care.
Barbies are durable toys that can last for a long time, providing enduring entertainment value. They’re also collectible items for both children and adults. It’s important to note that while Barbies can offer these benefits, they should be one of many types of toys children have access to for a well-rounded play experience.
While Barbie dolls have many positive aspects as mentioned above, they also have faced many oppositions over the years.
For example, traditional Barbie dolls have been criticized for promoting an unrealistic body image. The original Barbie’s proportions, if translated into a real woman, would be physically impossible to achieve. This could potentially lead to body dissatisfaction or unhealthy attitudes towards food and exercise in impressionable children.
Barbie dolls and their multitude of accessories can also promote materialistic values since many Barbie sets come with an abundance of clothes, accessories, vehicles, and even houses, which may contribute to the perception that owning many material goods is essential for happiness or social status.
Despite the diverse range of careers Barbie has held, many Barbie dolls and playsets are still centered around traditional feminine roles or beauty-related activities. This could contribute to the reinforcement of certain gender stereotypes. And let’s not forget about the lack of diversity. Through recent years, Barbie’s historical lack of diversity in terms of race, body type, and physical abilities has been a topic of concern. Many feel that the line does not adequately represent the wide array of human diversity, which could influence children’s understanding of beauty norms and cause unrealistic expectations.
Unrealistic expectations in children might manifest in various ways, depending on the nature of the expectations and the individual child’s temperament and circumstances. Potential signs include:
1. Persistent Dissatisfaction: If a child seems continually unhappy with their abilities, appearance, or possessions, despite evidence of their adequacy or even excellence, it might indicate that they’re holding themselves to unrealistic standards.
2. Excessive Perfectionism: While it’s normal for children to want to do well, excessive perfectionism might be a sign of unrealistic expectations. If a child is extremely upset by small mistakes or minor imperfections, they may be setting unrealistically high standards for themselves.
3. Anxiety or Stress: Unrealistic expectations can lead to anxiety and stress. If a child frequently seems worried, nervous, or overwhelmed, especially in relation to tasks or activities they think they should excel at, they might be struggling with unrealistic expectations.
4. Negative Self-Talk: Listen to how your child talks about themselves. If they frequently use negative or self-deprecating language, particularly in relation to their abilities or appearance, they might be comparing themselves to unrealistic standards.
5. Extreme Focus on Material Possessions: If your child is overly focused on having the latest or most expensive toys, clothes, or gadgets, and becomes upset if they don’t get them, they may have unrealistic expectations about material possessions.
6. Changes in Eating or Exercise Habits: If your child begins to show unusual behavior around food or exercise, like eating significantly less than usual or exercising excessively, they might be influenced by unrealistic expectations around body image.
If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to start a conversation about it. Validate their feelings, help them understand that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and that it’s okay to make mistakes. If you’re concerned about their wellbeing, it might be helpful to consult with a counselor that shares in your core beliefs. They can provide guidance and, if necessary, refer you to further resources or support.
Psalm 139:13-14 ESV
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
