Barbie 2.0
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You might remember that I did a blog a while back on the most popular girl toy ever invented: Barbie.
I’m back with another Barbie blog!
While working at Target, I sometimes can’t stop myself from looking at the toy section and seeing all the new Barbies. Something interesting caught my eye recently. A Barbie doll that was petite/plus size. Some Barbies are tall and even ones with prosthetic arms or legs. There is now a Ken doll with long enough hair for a ponytail. When I was a little girl, I remember seeing dolls in high heels and in pretty outfits or some that were playing a sport and wearing a uniform to show her career. But I don’t remember ever seeing them with varied body types or with other special needs.
I wish they had Barbie dolls like that back then when I was a little girl. I’m 24 years old and a petite brunette (Yes Mom, I should have eaten more vegetables…. you told me so). The only time I saw a dark-haired Barbie was when she was wearing a pretty pink dress and had a pink streak in her hair. But when I was in Target as a teenager (before I started working there) I once saw a Barbie doll wearing sneakers and pants. I remember when my mom gave me some old pieces of clothing that I could use to make my own doll clothes. I’d try to make her some pants because I didn’t like wearing dresses. I still don’t. I’ll only wear a dress to look nice for a funeral, a wedding, or some other important event. Now Barbie is representing ALL body types and abilities!
Sure, the dolls back then had pants. But when they did, there was an added ruffle to make it look like a mini skirt with tights. Barbie isn’t just a doll. She’s how you want to be seen as a woman. And in a way, how I see my mom. Sure, she has blonde hair and blue eyes, but my mom is also a hard worker who isn’t afraid to multitask. She knows how to properly paint, use tools, and put things together. AND…. she remembers there was a Barbie doll who had a McDonald’s job when she was a little girl. (I LOVE McDonald’s)!
My mom and her sisters remember seeing a brunette Barbie in the 1980s, but they ALWAYS remember her being tall, thin, and gorgeous.
My aunt Melissa thinks it’s cool that Barbie is more diverse and that it’s important young kids see themselves represented in the world. But If I’m being honest, I don’t know that eight-year-old Sarah Matincheck was worried about all this stuff. But I guess my love of Barbie comes from my mom’s grandmother. She had the BEST Barbie collection and would always tell us “Don’t open the Barbie Boxes” because they were collectibles, and when she moved out of her old house, she gave me, my sister. and cousins each a collectible doll!
Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that Barbie has been changing since she was invented in 1959 as a doll in heels and a bathing suit. Sure, there have been Barbies that were not popular, but to me, that just means Barbie can relate to people even more. If I ever saw an Autism Awareness Barbie, I’d DEFINITELY buy it.
Barbie – 2008 examples:
Barbie – 2024 examples:
That’s all I’ve got for now, until next time 🙂