When a girl plays with Barbie...

[humbugbug]

Anyone else seen this advert showing a little girl pretending to be a professor. I was never really into dolls, but can definitely say that Barbie and her unattainably bizarre proportions only ever made me feel inadequate.

My absolute favourite Barbies were Marina & I think Midge.

DD is just getting into Barbie and I was squashing my knee jerk 'eurgh' reaction as I want them to enjoy everything and not just what I deem worthy!

However, this thread has made me realise they don't have to be evil representations of the patriarchy and can be embraced in a completely different way so thank you.

I'm going to spend some time playing / watching Barbie with her to see how her little brain sees it all and then provide the 'independent woman' narrative if needed

People make too much out of things like this. It is a doll. Girls (and boys) have played imaginary play with dolls and toys since the dawn of time. They really aren't thinking ' I can never be as good as Barbie with all her different careers'. Society is putting this idea into our children's heads. Just let them play FFS!

Oh and clicking her weird kneee joints back and forth. Strangely satisfying but i'm quite glad my legs don't do that.

Reading this I've suddenly realised that I am actually Barbie, as my knees hyperextend juts like Barbie (without the clunking thankfully) .

I had Sindy when I was a kid, who I think had a slightly more realistic figure, though I definitely don't remember caring about that. I do prefer Lottie dolls, though. They're more fun to play with because they stand up, and they also come with great outfits, accessories, and stories.

My dd has a large collection of such dolls and based on overhearing her ordering them about, they are clearly inspiring her to military dictatorship!

She currently has them arranged in front of a doll's house tv set, presumably for their latest indoctrination. This afternoon I imagine their is a Struggle Session planned, followed by some sort of expulsion of dissenters no doubt. I'm not too worried.

I love Barbie. Some of my favourite memories from my childhood is playing for hours on end with my Barnier and inventing storylines. It was brilliant for my imagination. I never felt inadequate but I never compared myself to a doll.
They brought out the Barbie Fashionistas collection which I’ve seen in all the shops, it featured dolls which are short, tall, curvy etc.

barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us/ba/barbie-fashionistas#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&contentPageSize:&

Inadequate because of a doll? Huh... what? How very odd.

I had many, many Barbies as a child and absolutely loved them. I used to play out the most exciting scenarios with my friends. We would sew clothes for them out of old T-shirts. Barbie was by far my favourite toy and I'm feeling kinda sad that my son isn't into dolls.

The alternative, back in my day and country, were baby dolls - and I found them unspeakably boring. Never quite understood the appeal of them. I had a few friends who loved them, but meh, I guess I never developed my nurturing side. My Barbies were having adventures, they had careers, friendships, arguments, and they looked awesome to boot. Far better a toy than a boring newborn doll.

Oh and I never felt inadequate because of Barbie's body shape. I guess I knew that there's a bit of difference between a piece of plastic and a flesh-and-blood human.

can definitely say that Barbie and her unattainably bizarre proportions only ever made me feel inadequate

I am a big advocate for realistic body standards for women, but as a child I honestly never ever compared my shape to Barbie's. I knew she was a toy and a 'character'. I was only put out because they were usually blonde and I'm a brunette with a warmer skin tone!

I think it's great she has had a range of professions and don't know of any other alternative that aims to inspire in the same way so successfully.