Feminist Reflections through Barbie Doll Art by Catherine Thery

Reflection, Pages 3 (566 words)

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The popular Barbie doll presented an image that portrays the young, American woman as one who is perfect, good-figured and fashionable. Although your mother-in-law says Barbie is just a toy, significant evidence shows Barbie holds unrealistic and unproportional body standards that can affect a child's body image along with society’s pressure of the ‘thin ideal’. In one study, young girls were given the choice to choose a ‘thin’ or ‘fat’ game-piece to play as, and were also asked which one they wanted to be their friend.

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In both cases the girls chose the thin game-piece reflecting that “young children display an awareness of dieting messages and cultural standards for feminine beauty prior to puberty” (Harriger et al. 8).

Gifting a young girl Barbie would pressure her more with the ‘thin ideal’ that is already so prevalent in American culture. Your mother-in-law may see Barbie as just a toy, however for young children “fantasy and play are vital parts of socialization in which they internalize ideals and values” (Dittmar and Halliwell 1).

This is an important fact to think about as children spend a large majority of their everyday playing. Barbie presents a tangible image of the ‘ideal body’ that your daughter may internalize and affect her body image as she develops.

I would suggest to your mother-in-law to find a replacement to the Barbie. New dolls have been recently introduced to the market that more accurately represent American women. Since young girls are already swamped with depictions of female beauty standards, a more realistic doll would promote healthy body image; she would see you don’t need to be thin to be beautiful.

The study cited earlier conducted by Helga Dittmar and Emma Halliwell researched body dissatisfaction among different groups of girls aged 5-8. One group looked at pictures of Barbie, another looked at pictures of a US size 16 doll, and another group didn’t look at any pictures. Their research found that girls exposed to the Barbie doll reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction compared to the girls who saw no images or the images of the other doll.

They also concluded that “repeated exposure is likely to be more damaging” (Dittmar and Halliwell 9) because negative results arose from being exposed to pictures. I highly recommend not getting your daughter a Barbie. Young children are very impressionable, and presenting them with this supposed “ideal body image” at such a young age is detrimental to their self-esteem. It may be just a toy, but this toy misinforms girls on how they should look, and sets them up for body image issues down the road. Plus, there are plenty of substitute dolls that promote a healthy body image that I would be happy to recommend. Hope my answer helped in your decision.
In conclusion, making thoughtful choices about the dolls we introduce to our children is crucial for their mental well-being. Opting for dolls that embrace diverse body types and promote positive self-image can contribute to a healthier mindset. As parents, we play a significant role in shaping our children's perceptions and values. Exploring alternative dolls that prioritize realistic representations can foster a more inclusive and empowering environment for young minds. It's essential to consider the long-term impact of the toys we provide, ensuring they encourage self-acceptance and celebrate diversity. Investing in dolls that align with positive values sets the foundation for a confident and resilient future generation.