Multicultural Barbie And The Merchandising Of Difference

Advertisements of merchandise such as slimming products have great impacts on girls and women. Firstly, advertising makes women feel inferior. Kilbourne discusses this effect to be contributed by the tyranny of the perfect image which has become worse due to Photoshop. Similarly, duCille argues that the eyes of youngest girls all over the world are inspired by Barbie ideal body, impeccable clothes, and perfect hair as a representation of beauty, which can lower the self – esteem of chubby girls as they cannot envision themselves through these dolls.

Secondly, there is the obsession with thinness. Kilbourne indicates that women go to extent of even starving themselves just to remain slim. Many ads used old ladies in the past but now slim and attractive females are being used in advertising of cosmetics products.

DeCille argues that “Barbie is not simply a child’s toy or just a teenage fashion-doll; she is an icon—perhaps the icon—of true white womanhood and femininity, a symbol of the fat from innocent ideological stuff of which the (Miss) American dream and other mystiques of race and gender are made”.

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Thus the effect of the dolls shaped the appearance of the gender and most of how the female should be. Presently, the Barbie is made in different kinds though its past impact cannot be wiped away since social media continues to largely contribute. Sexualization has been amplified. Karen argues that all toys are wished for teaching the younger females about family life well inducing the nurturing character.

Mel McCombie also debates, instead of practicing parenting, just like a baby doll, physique of Barbie’s adult inspires kids through clothing and redressing of a fashion doll in producing teachings regarding teenage life, consumption, and sexuality.

On other hands, the big-busted, curvy female Barbie beckons not the motherly, caring personality but the sensuous, erotic woman. According to Kilbourne Ladies were being used as sexual objects before the invention of internet. What has happened is many American kids study and learn regarding sex from porn online. In conclusion, parents and guidance should speak to their children and assist them in being internet literate. Talk to the girls about their body on early age using right language and symbols where necessary. Women should learn to appreciate their bodies and stop to imitate the images from internet.

Kilbourne, Jean. 'Still killing us softly: Advertising and the obsession with thinness.' Feminist perspectives on eating disorders (1994): 395-418. In conclusion, the impact of advertisements, particularly those promoting slimming products and idealized beauty standards, on girls and women is profound and multifaceted. The perpetuation of the perfect image through advertising, fueled by the use of Photoshop and the portrayal of flawless models, cultivates feelings of inferiority among women. This, as Kilbourne and duCille argue, contributes to a pervasive obsession with thinness, leading some women to extreme measures such as starvation to conform to societal expectations.

Moreover, the influence of iconic figures like Barbie further exacerbates the issue, shaping perceptions of femininity and beauty. While Barbie was initially intended as a toy, its portrayal of a slim and attractive female figure has become symbolic, influencing societal ideals of womanhood. The sexualization of women in advertising, as highlighted by Kilbourne, has not diminished, and with the advent of the internet, exposure to explicit content at a young age has become a concerning factor.

Parents and guardians must engage in open conversations with their children, fostering internet literacy and providing guidance on body image. Teaching girls about self-appreciation and debunking unrealistic beauty standards is crucial. By promoting a healthy self-image and encouraging critical thinking about media messages, society can work towards dismantling the damaging impact of advertisements on the well-being and self-esteem of girls and women.