Early adolescents' experiences with, and views of, Barbie

Adolescence, Spring, 2004 by Tara L. Kuther, Erin McDonald

Young Adolescents' Views of Barbie

Many of the boys and girls reported believing that Barbie has an impact on girls' self-concept. Similar to others (La Ferle, 1997; Lord, 1995; Reid-Walsh & Mitchell, 2000; Suhay, 2000; Turkel, 1998), participants disagreed on the influence of Barbie dolls on girls. Some reported the perception that Barbie dolls offer positive role models for girls. For example, one boy stated: "I think Barbie was a good role model for girls even though she was fake. She was pretty, lovable, could do any profession. Even though she was kind of anorexic. Barbie gave girls a chance to imagine things and a chance to be anything they wanted to."

Some of the girls also reported perceiving Barbie as a positive role model because she exemplifies perfection.

   I think Barbie is one of those things that never goes out of style.
   Barbie is a great doll for girls to play with when they are little.
   And even older women collect them. She is like the perfect person
   when you are little that everyone wants to be like. And girls want
   to dress her up and she is something that can be brought places and
   not worried about being broke. I don't think Barbie will ever be
   discontinued because it brings so much joy to so many small kids.

More commonly, the participants, boys and girls alike, reported perceiving Barbie dolls as poor role models for girls. Several of the boys, for example, mentioned that Barbie dolls might negatively influence girls' body image and health.

   Barbie is not the best toy for girls because ... Barbie has ... the
   perfect style, and body, so that other girls would feel they want
   that too. When really girls would just try to lose weight and
   everything and forger about the importance of life.

   Barbie dolls provide a false stereotype for people, as it is
   physically impossible to attain the same body size as a Barbie doll.
   There wouldn't be enough room for organs and other necessary things.

One boy argued that Barbie dolls are negative role models for girls, similar to other media standards of female beauty: "I blame Barbie for the Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez craze. I also blame Barbie for the craze in implants and liposuction to become good looking. I also think that Barbie has made a demand ... for beauty salons and operations to become beautiful."

Similarly, females perceived the toys as a dangerous influence on girls' perceptions of beauty, body image, and self-concept.

   Barbie has this perfect body and now every girl is trying to
   have her body because they are so unhappy with themselves.

   I think she is too thin and does not show the best example for young
   kids. Sometimes my friends when they were younger wanted to be like
   her because she was thin, now if they did they would die.

   The body of a Barbie might make someone try to have a body of a
   Barbie which would be impossible.

Many of the girls reported ambivalent feelings toward Barbie dolls, fondly remembering playing with the toy, while simultaneously expressing dislike of the feminine image the doll represents.