Recently
Mattel announced they were coming out with new models of Barbie dolls.
Basically they were making them in more diverse sizes so girls could find dolls
in their shape. From the articles I read they added like three new shapes,
petite, curvy and tall.
Most
everything I’ve read is praising this move saying now girls will find a doll in
their body shape, pointing out how the dysmorphic shape of Barbie has caused
girls for generations to have issues with their own bodies.
Since
I received my first Barbie doll nearly forty-two years ago (I still have her,
and then a great deal more), I feel I’m in a unique position to comment on this
debate.
My
favorite, and first, Barbie was Skipper. Forty-two years ago when I got her, Malibu
Skipper was a pre-teen flat chested, flat footed, short doll. Back then I was a
pre-teen, short, flat footed and extremely far from flat chested girl. Barbie,
with her impossible to accomplish waist size, still had a chest size in keeping
with what I had going on. Yes, I have a Malibu Barbie as well.
Then
I see the article about the three new body shapes. You mean you have a whopping
four body shapes to account for all the diverse shapes in the world?
I’m
going to guess one of them isn’t petite, curvy and overweight. Though at twelve
I was just petite and curvy. Nope, they don’t have that shape either. So no
Mattel. You’re still not diverse enough.
But
then people are saying girls have poor body images because they played with Barbie
dolls.
I
have five stuffed full trunks at present count. I’ve never in my life expected
to be tall, with a way to skinny waist, big hips and still have my well-endowed
chest. I wouldn’t have minded making five foot tall and not weighing more than
120 pounds, but I also wouldn’t have minded not being as well-endowed. So I don’t
think I’ve ever expected or even wished I looked like Barbie.
I’ll
admit girls who already have body image issues, thinking they’re fat when they’re
clearly not, could easily have a problem with dolls like this, but let’s bear
in mind that we’re talking about girls with health concerns. I seriously doubt
the shape of a doll is going to be a problem for healthy girls. Sorry, it’s
just a doll.
If
you want to address diversity, make more male dolls. I’ve looked. A handful in
the adult male sizes and at present none in the boy sizes. Seriously Mattel, I
want some boy dolls for my Kelly and Stacy dolls to play with. While you have
whole lot of friends for Kelly, absolutely none of them are boys.
In
other words, Mattel, you’re not doing enough to be diverse. Step up your game
Mattel. Include everyone. Make boy dolls in younger sizes.
And
while you’re at it, make a larger selection of clothes for your adult male
dolls and for your child size dolls.
And
once upon a time you made Grandma and Grandpa Heart and a sheepdog dog for the
Heart family collection and I really wish I’d been able get them for my
collection while they were available because that, along with several child sized
boys, would make my large family of Barbie dolls complete. And some large cars,
and more trunks. I never have enough of those.
Then
all I’d need is a room just to display them all.
Smile.
Make the day a brighter day.
