During my childhood, I had an intense desire to own a Barbie doll. However, my mother firmly opposed the idea. She believed that this fashion-obsessed, ultra-thin doll would fill my mind with superficial thoughts and contribute to body image issues. As a compromise, my mother allowed me to have Cabbage Patch Dolls and Pound Puppies, but I still yearned for a Barbie. I saw her as an embodiment of glamour and popularity, qualities that I hoped would somehow rub off on me. Whenever I visited my friends, I would discreetly ask if they had any Barbie dolls, hoping to get a chance to play with them when my mother wasn’t around.
Out of all the Barbie dolls, there was one model that I coveted above all else: the 1985 Dream Glow doll. This Barbie wore a floor-length pink tulle dress adorned with white stars, and it glowed in the dark. It was the ultimate Barbie doll in my eyes. But despite my persistent pleas, my mother remained steadfast in her decision.
Over time, my passion for Barbie faded, and she disappeared from my thoughts (except for the occasional night out at a club, dancing to Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” in 1998). However, now that I have daughters of my own, Barbie has resurfaced in our lives. While I still understand some of the concerns my mother had, my children have accumulated a variety of Barbie dolls – mermaid, rock star, food truck proprietor, and ice skater. (I once accidentally stepped on Barbie’s ice-skating trophy – it was excruciating.)
As I watch Barbie animated movies with my children, I find myself singing along to the theme songs, harmonizing with the Roberts sisters (yes, Barbie has a last name) as they gather around a fire. It feels wholesome. However, I am aware of Barbie’s controversial past. She has been criticized for materialism and vanity. I also can’t help but notice that rock star Barbie has an unnaturally low body fat percentage, bold eyeshadow (although it may be justified due to stage lighting), and impractical footwear.
“How is she going to walk in those?” I jokingly exclaim in front of my daughters. “She’s going to have lifelong back problems. Or at least plantar fasciitis.”
Perhaps we need an updated Barbie with fuchsia orthotic inserts for bunions?
On the other hand, I believe Barbie is just a harmless toy, and she even serves as a positive role model in some respects. She has evolved to include various sizes and ethnicities, and her LinkedIn profile rivals that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Now, it’s the competition, like the provocatively dressed LOL Dolls, that seem like the real threat. But with Barbie making a comeback in the mainstream and painting the town pink (literally) with a new blockbuster, should I be concerned about the influence on my children?
To gain some insight, I consulted Dr. Stephanie Damiano, manager of Butterfly’s Body Bright program, which promotes positive body image in primary schools. Damiano explains that research findings on Barbie’s impact on children’s body image are mixed. Some studies suggest an increase in body dissatisfaction, while others do not. However, exposure to Barbie does seem to lead young girls to internalize societal ideals of thinness, which is a risk factor for developing body dissatisfaction.
Nonetheless, Damiano emphasizes that children’s body image is influenced by personal and environmental factors as much as the toys they play with. Rachel Tomlinson, a registered psychologist specializing in child development, agrees with this perspective. She believes that Barbie alone does not hold the power to shape children’s self-esteem and acceptance of their bodies. It is the conversations we have in our community and families about body shapes and sizes that are more likely to have a long-term impact.
Tomlinson sees the modern Barbie as a positive influence, particularly in animated shows where Barbie is portrayed as a protector and problem solver, with limited focus on her looks.
I strive to create a positive dialogue about bodies in general with my daughter, so she understands that bodies come in various shapes, colors, abilities, and sizes, and her body is perfect just the way it is. Dr. Damiano emphasizes that developing a positive body image involves helping children recognize that their value lies in who they are, not just their appearance.
Reflecting back, I wonder if playing with other people’s Barbies affected me in any detrimental way. My mother would likely be relieved to know that, thanks to her early interventions, I dislike shopping and avoid excessively high heels. As for me and my body, we get along just fine.
Interestingly, my six-year-old is quite intrigued by this article. My partner and I try to avoid discussing concepts like “body image” or “being too skinny/not skinny,” so I asked her a somewhat vague question: “Do you think Barbie is good or bad?”
After giving it some thought, she responds, “Well, I think she’s a bit of a show-off.”
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