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Original poster

Being wierd about DD having Barbie dolls

161 replies

happysunshinedays · 25/07/2010 20:45

She's 4 and going to big school in September. On the last day of Preschool she had a wobble that night and said the other children wouldn't play with her. She's got loads of good friends out of school and generally very social, lovely girl.

Then she told me that other (seemingly very popular girls) in her class love Barbie. Have also heard about High School Musical as being a Preschool trend.

I don't want her to be the odd-bod in the class obviously, but saw some Barbies for sale today and couldn't bring myself to buy them! All boobs and legs!

Trying to find the line between her natural desire to fit in and encouraging her to grow up too quickly.

Any words of wisdom??

OP posts:
MandyMcFly · 27/07/2010 16:50

Strix it is YOU who is making the comparison. God, you are just reading what is convenient to you!

You are saying that the doll represents a body image which you do not want projected onto your DD. This body image you are so scared of is obviously modelled on real women, so obviously it is offensive. The body image you are worried about, is of course that of a woman, because otherwise you would have no concerns about the doll. And as I said it is you with the screwed up view about body image, saying that skinny people must be anorexic. But of course, you will never admit you are in the wrong.

And also, it is only adults who find barbies 'over sexualised', don't put adult perspectives on to little children! They will not see it as a sexual thing, just as a prett dolly!

slushy · 27/07/2010 16:58

BonzoDoodah I have taken my measurement to prove something here

28 inch waist
40 inch bust
39 inch hips and I am 60inch tall but I have long legs and measure 31inch over half my height. So the only bit out of proportion is actually barbie's height, but if you take the measurement of other doll I doubt they are done to scale either.

Strix · 27/07/2010 17:56

No, Slushy, you are not at all obsessed with your appearance.

Now, did you say you had Barbie dolls?

Strix · 27/07/2010 18:11

As for the argument that Barbie is now prtrayed with a career which enquires an engaged brain, such as a doctor. Well, really, is this what your GP looks like?

Mine certainly doesn't wear these shoes. And when I walk through the hospital I don't see any doctors wearing heels.

Barbie should be featured in the MN Let Girls Be Girls Campaign. I have no idea wheather or not it is.

MandyMcFly · 27/07/2010 18:18

Why on earth have you got a problem with pretty women? Because that's basically what this is...it makes you feel inadequate. But yes, pretty people can be successful at respectable jobs, just the same as ugly people can! Until 'Pole Dance Barbie' is on the shelves, you don't actually have a leg to stand on. You just seem to have a problem with pretty women. What do you want the barbie to look like? Short hair, overweight, maybe with a pair of Spanx as an accessory? What would be an acceptable type of doll then?

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:22

Actually my figure is off from barbies both my waist and breasts are larger , But Strix will you please show me your made to scale exactly proportionately ugly career minded doll please.

Also I am not a bit focused on my looks if you knew me you would no that I wear tracksuits most days and only wear heels or make-up or my hair down when I am going out, I really don't think appearance is important. But the fuss you have made over a pretty doll shows how pre-occupied with looks you are because otherwise it would not bother you would it?

MandyMcFly · 27/07/2010 18:24

I don't think Slushy is obssessed with her appearance, it is you strix who has the obsession with how others look. You still haven't responded to my questions about your 'anorexic' comment...that will be more damaging to how your daughter views body shapes than giving her a doll.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:28

Was it Barbie that had a talking doll that had to be recalled because it said "Math is hard"?

Or was that something else?

BTW a woman recently told me I had better get some barbies for my DD "before it's too late". WTF? DD was 2.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:31

here we go chaps, a top role model for all our little princesses...

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:33

Yes it was recalled many toy manufacturers have had a toy recalled at some point if you boycotted them all there would probably be none left.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:34

please show me your made to scale exactly proportionately ugly career minded doll please

?

don't get this.

I am also naturally blonde, blue eyed etc etc etc. Plus I have a physics degree. And I am not particularly on anything in the "pink fairies princesses and barbies" line. Just my opinion though.

BTW did I mention Math Class is Tough, girls... Party dresses are Fun

MunchMummy · 27/07/2010 18:34

My DD has just turned 4 and has had a barbie type doll since Xmas. She LOVES it. I never had them as a child as my mum hated them, and I always really wanted one. So my DD1 has one (well, several now as she's just had her 4th birthday). Didn't think about the image side of it, she just loves dressing/undressing them.

Even better for you all, my 2.2yr old LOVES them as well, so I guess I'd better get used to seeing them around for a few years yet

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:37

I'm not boycotting anything.

ROFL at a toy being programmed to say "maths class is TOUGH... party dresses are FUN" is a fault! A fault is something like the head comes off and there's a spike inside, the wheels detach, the thing is speaking Japanese for a Spanish speaking market is a fault.

This thing was deliberately programmed to say those words, kind of gives away game away really doesn't it.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:38

oh this is interesting.

It answers the "barbie is too thin" comments with the following:

"According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the 17 to 22 percent body fat required for a woman to menstruate."

Well you learn something new every day.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:40

Ooh that wiki thing is full of fascinating info:

"In 1963 the outfit "Barbie Baby-Sits" came with a book entitled How to Lose Weight which advised: "Don't eat."

Ho ho ho eh girlsAll great harmless fun eh girls!

BTW did I mention? Maths class is Tough.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:41

The math is tough barbie wasn't recalled after all:

". In October 1992 Mattel announced that Teen Talk Barbie would no longer say the phrase, and offered a swap to anyone who owned a doll that did."

Wiki is great, isn't it!

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:47

AH I see in 1992 and in 1963 when children took sweets to school everyday and when women smoked while pg and bf was frowned upon, Cooked breakfast every day. Things change so did barbie, find a modern example, in 1963 that attitude was acceptable. Is it even the same designer now as it was 18 years ago?

MandyMcFly · 27/07/2010 18:48

Forgive me for this, but maths is tough...many children struggle with maths, I sure did. It would have made me feel better if one of my toys said maths is tough because it IS for some people. If she'd have said 'Im the best at maths, its so easy' it could have upset children who struggled. Maths is tough.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:48

Just reading the wiki page slushy.

I found it very interesting.

MandyMcFly · 27/07/2010 18:49

I just don't think children would find Germaine Greer dolls as thrilling.

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:53

People are actually defending a doll for little girls which said "Math class is tough.. Party dresses are fun..."

Well OK then...

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:54

From wiki "and early market research showed that some parents were unhappy about the doll's chest, which had distinct breasts"

"She also holds a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners in addition to serving as a flight attendant. Barbie's careers are designed to show that women can take on a variety of roles in life, and the doll has been sold with a wide range of titles including Miss Astronaut Barbie (1965), Doctor Barbie (1988) and Nascar Barbie (1998)."

"Barbie's waist has been widened in more recent versions of the doll"

"In 1997 Barbie's body mold was redesigned and given a wider waist, with Mattel saying that this would make the doll better suited to contemporary fashion designs.[17][18]"

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:56

oh here is the full quote it was one phrase of 270 with only 1.5% saying it

"One of these 270 phrases was "Math class is tough!" (often misquoted as "Math is hard"). Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it led to criticism from the American Association of University Women. In October 1992 Mattel announced that Teen Talk Barbie would no longer say the phrase, and offered a swap to anyone who owned a doll that did."

slushy · 27/07/2010 18:57

oh her is another good quote

"in May 1997 Mattel introduced Share a Smile Becky, a doll in a pink wheelchair. Kjersti Johnson, a 17-year-old high school student in Tacoma, Washington with cerebral palsy, pointed out that the doll would not fit into the elevator of Barbie's $100 Dream House. Mattel announced that it would redesign the house in the future to accommodate the do"

ISNT · 27/07/2010 18:59

I think some of you are quite mad TBH. What a strange thing to feel so strongly about.

Off you go back to your dollies

And don't forget... Math class is Tough... Does make one wonder how our Barbie managed to become an astronaut, doctor, or indeed many of her other careers eh

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