I'm not sure if there's any toy as fraught with controversy as Barbie. The doll is blamed for everything from decimating girls' self esteem to encouraging them to dress like hookers.
The whole debate is enough to give any mother of a girl a serious case of agita before each and every birthday party, lest one of the little gift givers comes walking in with a doll box. But with a 7-year-old in my house who has played with the occasional Barbie (none of which I purchased) and still seems to have a pretty hearty self esteem, I was curious: how much is the Barbie debate in our heads? Do little girls really think what we think they think when we see a Barbie?
I decided to find out.
I went online and found 10 Barbie dolls that range from slutty and skanky to pretty run of the mill. I found the tattoo Barbie who started the whole debacle last year. I found some designed to encourage girls to aspire to big careers (even president), and some that are decidedly not for kids.
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And then I placed the photos one by one in front of my 7-year-old daughter and asked her what she thought. I didn't coach her beside telling her that there were no wrong answers and she wouldn't be in any trouble ... and asking her a question or two (would you play with this doll? would you dress like this doll?).
What she said made me feel a lot better about letting her play with Barbies ... not to mention my parenting. Take a look ... it might surprise you.
What's your take on little girls and Barbie?
Image via Flavio (back for awhile)/Flickr
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Comments 187
The Barbie are cute and if I had a girl I would let her have any barbie she liked because it is playing and pretending, you can be anything and anyone.
I've always found all the controversy over Barbie really ridiculous. I grew up playing with Barbies, (the old 80's Barbies with the super tiny waist and giant boobs)..... did I think I'D look like Barbie when I grew up? No. Barbie's a doll. And I don't remember ever wanting to wear clothes like hers (but that could just be me. To this day I have no interest in fancy clothes). Most of the time I was annoyed that her clothes were "too small" for her to do anything. "How is Barbie supposed to roller skate when you can see her hoohoo whenever she bends over???" I don't remember ANY of my friends or children I babysat for wanting to be Barbie. I just asked my 9 year old daughter if she wanted to look like Barbie (or thought she SHOULD look like her) and she looked at me like I was crazy. "Uh.... no. Barbie is WAY too skinny for someone with such big ribs. It isn't normal."
My thoughts exactly. Dolls are just dolls, and our kids aren't thinking of them in terms of "self esteem" until WE start making a big deal out of it, and we as mothers have a much bigger impact on their self image than any piece of plastic ever could.
The real issue is why is Tokidoki Barbie $500??
your daughter sounds adorable. you are doing a great job. i wasnt much for dolls. i was a tomboy.
What is wrong with wearing a swim suit? I don't want my kids to dress slutty, but they should feel comfortable enough to wear a bikini if they want.
"A child learns more from their parents and environment then a toy! I am extremely concerned that this 7 year old is so concerned about tight clothes and showing too much skin! I have a 7 year old daughter and these do not even cross her mind or lips! I am more concerned that her parents seem to criticize others for "too tight" clothes and "showing too much skin" around her and this 7 year old has picked up that trait, TO JUDGE OTHERS! Just so sad for that child to be so consumed with criticizing of others."
My sister and I have many wonderful memories of playing for hours with Barbies. We are in our 40's and still fondly recall that time.