Barbie Dolls - Friend or Foe?

Given Barbie's popularity and influence toward children, Barbie has been a subject to controversy over the years. Given her marketing and packaging, this line of dolls has been criticized by parents for promoting objectification, negative female development, and the internalization of stereotypical female roles. Although it is true that Barbie fails to represent the average female, many should not overlook the doll's contribution in redefining societal expectations.

When people first see the doll's packaging, many decry that the Barbie doll brand helps fuel the gender divide, given her cute, colorful accessories and appearance. Only a few number of women have Barbie's physical measurements and are able to afford the materialistic lifestyle that Barbie represents. As a result, many see that Barbie conforms to old societal expectations that are placed on women - to be thin, pretty, fashionable, and reserved. And since toys play a significant role in a child's development, many parents have feared that Barbie promotes harmful values to children starting at a young age.

However, for its time, Barbie was considered as a "revolutionary" toy. Before Barbie was created in the late 50s, children commonly played with baby dolls. With the introduction of the adult-figure Barbie and her numerous accessories, girls were able to envision themselves in a variety of adult-roles, not only mother roles. This led children to have the freedom in deciding how Barbie should wear or represent; they could also envision that they were the doll herself or in the doll's occupation in the future. Overall, Barbies is seen as a tool to foster imagination and inspire girls to look forward toward the future.

Although Barbie is far from being perfect, the doll has promoted a degree of independence and freedom for children. In the doll's history, Barbie has been a doctor, an Olympic swimmer, and even the President! Given the doll's popularity with children, Barbie encourages young girls that they can be whatever they wish to be. Despite its faults, the doll surely has its benefits.