what are your thoughts on this? ...i, for one, was appalled with the actual measurements, and with all the research i've been doing, it just made me really sad.
^^^ This is a PSA about body image that I watched a few months ago. I think it really demonstrates the point that article is trying to make. I just wanted to share and see what people think.
This article made me aware of just how powerful the media (even corporations like Barbie) can provide kids with negative connotations of how people should look. As an avid collector of Barbie dolls, I spent many of my childhood hours playing with them, but I never believed that was how women would look in real life. Then when Bratz came out, it seemed even more apparent that these dolls were not supposed to mimick how people's bodies should look. I can see, however, where young girls may get that idea though. I feel like by tweaking the Barbie doll just a bit in terms of proportions, the company can still make sales without leading girls to think that that is how they should really look. I know Barbie does not have a responsibility to show the real way people look, because the doll is a fantasy figure, but I'm sure young girls can get tricked into thinking that they should look like their dolls. Like the article said, Barbie is the epitome of perfection, so girls will naturally want to be like her. I am disgusted with the measurements on Barbie's life-sized figure, but it's not something I noticed as much on her actual doll-sized figure. Can the same thing be said for the Ken doll?
I totally agree with Sarah in saying that Barbie can lead girls to believe that they should look a certain way. Barbie's realistic anatomical specifications are simply disturbing. However, if the manufacturing department did tweak Barbie's physical stature to something slightly more realistic, I don't think the doll would sell nearly as well. This article is incredibly effective in terms of promoting the seriousness of body image issues. Speaking of body image, a topic that has been primarily relevant to girls, I'd like to see a similar article and similar realistic specifications written about a Ken doll. Boys have body image issues too, and while girls undoubtedly conquer this field of discussion, boys shouldn't be left in the dark.
Its ridiculous that Barbie is actually anorexic with surgically enhanced breasts. @Tom I feel like Ken looks more realistic than Barbie but certainly not every guy has those chiseled, rock-hard abs. I know they have made career Barbie and Barbies for virtually all occasions but is Ken ever made any other ways or is he just always Barbie's stud?
I think the question that Sarah posed about the Ken doll is interesting. I searched google, looking for an answer and it seems that Ken's measurements aren't as studied as Barbies which, I think, could mean one of a couple things.
First, that men's body measurements aren't as contested as women's. Tom started to talk about this though, that boys DO have body image issues. So then why does the media not question it?
The second thing that this lack of research could tell us is that Ken is anatomically correct. If this is the case however, why Ken and not Barbie? I think we can agree that even if Ken has feasible measurements, he's not what the average male looks like...
Are these 'images' stereotypes from the past? Do they hold up today? Do people want to look like Barbie or Ken? And why?
So I just tried to look up Ken; the best thing I could find was from Wikipedia:
The unrealistic physiques of Barbie and Ken caused comment. Yale University psychologist, Kelly Brownell, observed that to size up to what Barbie looks for in a mate, "a man would have to grow 20 inches taller and add nearly 8 inches to his neck circumference, 11 inches to his chest and 10 inches to his waist to resemble the muscular Ken."
The difference I see, however, is in eating disorder stats: the National Eating Disorders Association reports that in the US alone, there are about 10 million women and 1 million men struggling with eating disorders. Not that 1 million men isn't a lot, because it is, but eating disorders are ten times the amount!
Do you think the influence of Barbie vs Ken and their proportions may have something to do with the demographics of children that play with these dolls? They're usually thought of as a girl's toy, and while we have discussed the fact that boys and girls can play with the same toys, I feel like Barbies are targeted towards girls and this might have something to do with the issue.
I agree with all of you guys and think its pretty crazy just how misleading barbies' bodies are for young girls. While I don't think you can blame dolls directly for eating disorders, they certainly don't help the problem. It's fascinating how much pressure a piece of plastic that doesn't speak can put on kids. I personally found the "slumber party barbie" to be one of the most shocking parts of the article, as it explicitly gave a weight for girls to strive to stay at, while instructing them to "not eat" if they want to achieve this body type.
Also, there's someone I know pretty well who is a guy and used to play with barbies a lot as a kid. Now, he too has body image dissatisfaction issues but on the opposite end of the spectrum as he is overweight and struggles with depression and severe self esteem issues. Do you think barbies serve as a source of insecurity for those who weigh more than others as a child?
I felt bad that we were hating on Barbie so much so I looked for an article with an opposing viewpoint to defend her. I found an article written by Lorna Russell in 1998 for The Independent. Russell explains that Barbies are dangerous for children because that’s how we label them. Technology has eliminated most of the popular toys from several years back but for some reason Barbie has stuck around. So why are parents so worried about their children playing with Barbie? Barbie "encourages [girls] to be anything they want to be..." She has her pilot's license, several masters' degrees, is a top athlete and still manages to keep her pony groomed. Girls play with teddy bears but they never seem to strive to look like them? (I find this comment ridiculous). And best of all, Barbie has multicultural friends who teach us about diversity. “Together they can have fabulous adventures that will feed their minds and develop their imaginations. Years later, a Barbie found in the attic will trigger memories that can still transport her owner to a place that, sadly, she doesn't go to much anymore!” Enjoy the article!
http://vimeo.com/4949439
ReplyDelete^^^ This is a PSA about body image that I watched a few months ago. I think it really demonstrates the point that article is trying to make. I just wanted to share and see what people think.
This article made me aware of just how powerful the media (even corporations like Barbie) can provide kids with negative connotations of how people should look. As an avid collector of Barbie dolls, I spent many of my childhood hours playing with them, but I never believed that was how women would look in real life. Then when Bratz came out, it seemed even more apparent that these dolls were not supposed to mimick how people's bodies should look. I can see, however, where young girls may get that idea though. I feel like by tweaking the Barbie doll just a bit in terms of proportions, the company can still make sales without leading girls to think that that is how they should really look. I know Barbie does not have a responsibility to show the real way people look, because the doll is a fantasy figure, but I'm sure young girls can get tricked into thinking that they should look like their dolls. Like the article said, Barbie is the epitome of perfection, so girls will naturally want to be like her. I am disgusted with the measurements on Barbie's life-sized figure, but it's not something I noticed as much on her actual doll-sized figure. Can the same thing be said for the Ken doll?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Sarah in saying that Barbie can lead girls to believe that they should look a certain way. Barbie's realistic anatomical specifications are simply disturbing. However, if the manufacturing department did tweak Barbie's physical stature to something slightly more realistic, I don't think the doll would sell nearly as well. This article is incredibly effective in terms of promoting the seriousness of body image issues. Speaking of body image, a topic that has been primarily relevant to girls, I'd like to see a similar article and similar realistic specifications written about a Ken doll. Boys have body image issues too, and while girls undoubtedly conquer this field of discussion, boys shouldn't be left in the dark.
ReplyDelete-Tom McGovern
Its ridiculous that Barbie is actually anorexic with surgically enhanced breasts. @Tom I feel like Ken looks more realistic than Barbie but certainly not every guy has those chiseled, rock-hard abs. I know they have made career Barbie and Barbies for virtually all occasions but is Ken ever made any other ways or is he just always Barbie's stud?
ReplyDeleteI think the question that Sarah posed about the Ken doll is interesting. I searched google, looking for an answer and it seems that Ken's measurements aren't as studied as Barbies which, I think, could mean one of a couple things.
ReplyDeleteFirst, that men's body measurements aren't as contested as women's. Tom started to talk about this though, that boys DO have body image issues. So then why does the media not question it?
The second thing that this lack of research could tell us is that Ken is anatomically correct. If this is the case however, why Ken and not Barbie? I think we can agree that even if Ken has feasible measurements, he's not what the average male looks like...
Are these 'images' stereotypes from the past? Do they hold up today? Do people want to look like Barbie or Ken? And why?
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteSo I just tried to look up Ken; the best thing I could find was from Wikipedia:
The unrealistic physiques of Barbie and Ken caused comment. Yale University psychologist, Kelly Brownell, observed that to size up to what Barbie looks for in a mate, "a man would have to grow 20 inches taller and add nearly 8 inches to his neck circumference, 11 inches to his chest and 10 inches to his waist to resemble the muscular Ken."
The difference I see, however, is in eating disorder stats: the National Eating Disorders Association reports that in the US alone, there are about 10 million women and 1 million men struggling with eating disorders. Not that 1 million men isn't a lot, because it is, but eating disorders are ten times the amount!
Do you think the influence of Barbie vs Ken and their proportions may have something to do with the demographics of children that play with these dolls? They're usually thought of as a girl's toy, and while we have discussed the fact that boys and girls can play with the same toys, I feel like Barbies are targeted towards girls and this might have something to do with the issue.
I agree with all of you guys and think its pretty crazy just how misleading barbies' bodies are for young girls. While I don't think you can blame dolls directly for eating disorders, they certainly don't help the problem. It's fascinating how much pressure a piece of plastic that doesn't speak can put on kids. I personally found the "slumber party barbie" to be one of the most shocking parts of the article, as it explicitly gave a weight for girls to strive to stay at, while instructing them to "not eat" if they want to achieve this body type.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's someone I know pretty well who is a guy and used to play with barbies a lot as a kid. Now, he too has body image dissatisfaction issues but on the opposite end of the spectrum as he is overweight and struggles with depression and severe self esteem issues. Do you think barbies serve as a source of insecurity for those who weigh more than others as a child?
I felt bad that we were hating on Barbie so much so I looked for an article with an opposing viewpoint to defend her. I found an article written by Lorna Russell in 1998 for The Independent. Russell explains that Barbies are dangerous for children because that’s how we label them. Technology has eliminated most of the popular toys from several years back but for some reason Barbie has stuck around. So why are parents so worried about their children playing with Barbie? Barbie "encourages [girls] to be anything they
ReplyDeletewant to be..." She has her pilot's license, several masters' degrees, is a top athlete and still manages to keep her pony groomed. Girls play with teddy bears but they never seem to strive to look like them? (I find this comment ridiculous). And best of all, Barbie has multicultural friends who teach us about diversity. “Together they can have fabulous adventures that will feed their minds and develop their imaginations. Years later, a Barbie found in the attic will trigger memories that can still transport her owner to a place that, sadly, she doesn't go to much anymore!” Enjoy the article!
I forgot to post the link.... here it is. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/debate-is-barbie-a-bad-influence-on-our-daughters-1191089.html
ReplyDelete