The Stir Exclusive
7-Year-Old Girl’s Honest Reactions to 10 Barbies Will Shock the Doll’s Critics
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
'Dancing With the Stars' Barbie
I would play with her. I kind of like that skirt because it's pink and yellow. I think she would be a fashion model. I wouldn't want to look like her because she has skin showing, but if she didn't have that, I would want to really, really play with her.
Image via Mattel
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MeowLove
thats cute! i think you gotta watch out for pink hair when shes a teen ;)
melissa
MeowLove
and honestly i cant blame barbie for low self esteem. i played with barbies as a girl, i loved it! i made up my own worlds and adventures with barbie dolls. its a great way for imagination to grow. if were worried about our daughters self esteems, then work hard to make them know they are beautiful, smart, and one of a kind. dont blame dolls when you have it in your hands to help your daughter lol
Gynx6188
Julie B
MomofTwo
Jewel Moll Thomas
Maevelyn
I don't think Barbie damaged my self esteem as a kid, I remember feeling a lot like her little girl about my dolls. They made if fun to pretend (mine all had back stories) but that didn't mean that I wanted to do or be everything they did. Okay, I had a vet Barbie and I wanted to be a vet when I grew up but that was just the one. My daughters really like the monster high dolls but i don't expect them to become depressed because they don't have blue skin.
Meghan
Lindsay Smalley Uhrig
My daughter is 6 and we just looked at the Barbies you posted. She had very similar reactions. She said she would play with them all, but wouldn't wear the bathing suit type clothes because "they are not appropriate." I think it is important to teach your girls at a young age what is appropriate for girls to wear and what isn't. I think it is important to not let your young girls wear clothes meant to sexualize, because THAT is what hurts their self esteem.