Barbie: Girl Sterotype?

[The Dork Knight]

Barbie.... America's favorite doll. Sure, she may be a role model for small girls, but do you think she is a true role model? Frankly I think she is'nt. Recently Mattel released a video game that was a take off of "Tomb Raider". In it Barbie wears the same as Laura, yet they are pink. Frankly I think Laura Croft is a much, much better role model for girls. Do you agree?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

It depends on your tastes. There's nothing wrong with being feminine. If a girl chooses to like pink, dress like a girl and do girly things, go right ahead. If a girl chooses to be more active, aggressive and such, that's okay too.

Sure you could say that both of them promote unrealistic body shapes (though I personally don't have a problem with girls eating right, but also working out to look good and healthy), but in the end, the best role model is the type of person who isn't afraid to be what she is. A girl who wants to be a homemaker? Why not? If that's really her ambition, there's nothing wrong with that. As long as she realizes there are other options (but still chooses to live a quiet life regardless), I don't see anything wrong with that. Sometimes overzealous feminists push too hard for girls to be pro-active and overly aggressive, which is all right, but not necessarily what ALL girls want to be.

[langden alger]

well as much as i'm not a barbie fan, there's really nothing wrong with her...the whole basic idea behind the barbie doll is to give little girls the idea that they can grow up to be anything they want..be it an astronaut, scientist, athlete etc..so they always give barbie all of these different identities in order to inspire young women..all the while she looks pretty damn fashionable at the same time ;)...pretty much the 'ultimate female' i'd guess. i don't really see anything wrong with mattell for making her. she's probably a better influence than a bunch of brittany spears videos.

[Trent Lane]

Yeah, most Barbie's tell girls to be anything you want to be, but there was that one that "talked" that had the phrase "Math is hard!" or something to that extent. Hmmmm, kinda makes you wonder....

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by flhero311
Yeah, most Barbie's tell girls to be anything you want to be, but there was that one that "talked" that had the phrase "Math is hard!" or something to that extent. Hmmmm, kinda makes you wonder....

That was in the 70s-early 80s. Different era, too.

And let me tell you: Calculus is hard.

[Calhoun07]

I have a hard time believing Barbie is a great influential aspect on the lives of millions of young girls around this country. She is a character, that is all. Did GI Joe have an impact on the lives of young boys? I mean, other than being a cool toy and representing something patriotic and brave, did GI Joe toys instill those things into boys? If it did, it's miminal at best.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

That's true. But speaking theoretically, IF Barbie is a role model is what we're discussing.

I had no role models, actually. I was a fan of many personalities, but I never hero-worship.

[Lodoss War Fan]

I basically see it more as a hobby for girls.
girls tend to like playing with dolls and boystend to like to play with toy trucks or action figures.Just sometime to play with or an hobby for them.Role models are mostly associated with a famous figure like a rockstar or movie star