I have mixed feelings about Barbie. I loathe her, sometimes I want to be her, and I even miss playing with her at times.
I think any woman after Barbie came out has a difficult relationship with this doll. She represents a lot of what is wrong with society in the United States. Even knowing this intellectually, our idea of what a woman should be is so intertwined with what she represents that we can't seem to not view her as the ideal. They came out with dolls that represented normal women but when those dolls were placed next to Barbie, it felt like they were lacking somehow. They weren't nearly as pretty or sparkly. They just didn't have the same oomph. That right there perfectly encapsulates how I feel about myself. That I lack that sparkle, that beauty. I am the lack-luster doll lying next to Barbie.
Through your eyes only! To me you are Xena who will kick ass when needed! Screw Barbie! You are so awesome as you are. Your inner you is amazing! Don't bullshit the bullshitter here miss!
I once read that the idea for Barbie was conjured up in Europe by the wife of a Mattel executive as they saw sex dolls displayed in an adult store window.
“Hmmm, this will be a great image to push on little girls.” ….
Secondly, as I read Merlin Stones book “When God was a woman” was the first time I learned their were cultures that revered the females in their purest sense.
I have mixed feelings about Barbie. I loathe her, sometimes I want to be her, and I even miss playing with her at times.
I think any woman after Barbie came out has a difficult relationship with this doll. She represents a lot of what is wrong with society in the United States. Even knowing this intellectually, our idea of what a woman should be is so intertwined with what she represents that we can't seem to not view her as the ideal. They came out with dolls that represented normal women but when those dolls were placed next to Barbie, it felt like they were lacking somehow. They weren't nearly as pretty or sparkly. They just didn't have the same oomph. That right there perfectly encapsulates how I feel about myself. That I lack that sparkle, that beauty. I am the lack-luster doll lying next to Barbie.
Through your eyes only! To me you are Xena who will kick ass when needed! Screw Barbie! You are so awesome as you are. Your inner you is amazing! Don't bullshit the bullshitter here miss!
Maybe my Mum shared much of your thoughts because she was pretty anti-barbie so I don't remember having many growing up.
When we finally found ourselves with one that made its way into the backseat of the car, somehow my sister and I were infatuated.
It was a wedding Barbie with thick hair and a glamorously painted smile that almost haunted my dreams.
From memory, I think I might have cut its hair and ripped off an arm, leg and possibly a head in the end (much to my sister's horror!).
What a bloody anti-climax after years of 'waiting'.
So much love for this article. I also loved every word.
More more more....please?!?
You are awesome! I love what you did to the Barbie! You are always invited to my sandbox to play!
Amazing article, I loved every word 🙌
Thanks! It was one of the really fun ones to write.
Absolutely loved reading this!
I once read that the idea for Barbie was conjured up in Europe by the wife of a Mattel executive as they saw sex dolls displayed in an adult store window.
“Hmmm, this will be a great image to push on little girls.” ….
Secondly, as I read Merlin Stones book “When God was a woman” was the first time I learned their were cultures that revered the females in their purest sense.
Well done:)