Barbie Syndrome Negatives
explanatory Essay
1333 words
Why is it we allow toys do dictate how we live our lives or how are lives are molded? Why is it a Barbie World? We all know and love the doll, manufactured by Mattel, named “Barbie”. She was and is a part of every little girl’s childhood in one-way or another. She gave every little girl the hope she needed to believe that she could be anything she set her mind to through play, dress-up, movies etc. Barbie could be a Veterinarian, a Doctor, a Lawyer, and even an Astronaut. She promotes and gives little girls the right to dream of being anything they want to be. There are so many positives, as children learn their passions and desires through play. However, and, unfortunately there are some very big negatives that go along with having …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Opines that barbie is a part of every little girl's childhood in one-way or another. she promotes and gives little girls the right to dream of being anything they want to be.
- Describes how beth handler's "barbie" was the brain-child of a woman named bibi lilli.
- Explains that barbie syndrome is associated with pre-teenage and adolescent females but is applicable to any age group.
- Opines that eating disorders are a prevalent and horrible affliction, which has become popular in young girls who are feeling pressured to look like barbie, but that can't be the only reason.
- Explains that mattel is trying to change the way girls look at themselves due to slumping sales, and the need to remain relevant in the marketplace.
- Explains why we let toys dictate how we live our lives or how lives are molded. barbie's new line of barbie dolls will change the presented idea of perfection for children and young girls through play.
It is most often associated with pre-teenage and adolescent females but is applicable to any age group. A person with Barbie Syndrome attempts to emulate the doll’s physical appearance, even though the doll has attainable body proportions (Wall Street Journal). Self-esteem for girls is a sensitive topic, because odds are most girls want to change something about themselves. Whether it is her hair color, skin color, eye color, and even body shape. Some sources say that one culprit is the fictional person Barbie, this is due to her unrealistic body and the fact she’s tall, blonde, and blue eyed. "Girls exposed to Barbie reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape" than those who had been given dolls reflecting larger body types or no dolls at all” (CNN). Its been shown that girls who played with her as kids have this desire to look just like her because society has put this pressure on girls that in order to be pretty you have to be a tall size 2 blonde, this is believed to create an endemic of girls, teens and adolescents with anorexia. When Mattel decided to create these new dolls to help promote a healthy body image for young girls who can’t look like the original Barbie, its made society redefine what it means to be pretty. But, why have we as a society allowed for this toy to define our standards of beauty? One article from Time Magazine has said that this doll has lead girls to not only feeling bad about themselves, but has made eating disorders more prevalent. “The doll has led many girls toward eating disorders, body image issues, physical transformation, and lowered confidence” (Time
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- Barbie As A Role Modelanalytical essayBarbie was created in 1959 and since then has been a popular toy among young girls. Her popularity among young girls has started a debate whether she is a role model. Some see her as the toy she is, however others see her as the reason so many girls develop body image issues due to her unrealistic body.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that barbie was created in 1959 and since then has been a popular toy among young girls.
- Explains that barbie was created in 1959 by ruth handler, who stumbled upon the idea while watching her daughter, barbara, act out real life situations with her dolls.
- Explains that barbie is a great role model, and her many occupations symbolize hard work and encourage girls to have varied careers.
- Analyzes how barbie's props and play sets have contributed to her being criticized as a negative role model.
734 wordsRead More - Barbie's Role Model Essayexplanatory essayMany of you have surely seen and even played with a Barbie, the fashion doll created by Mattel Inc. and launched in March, 1959. This blonde, plastic doll if compared to the body structure of a real human would have a height of 5 feet and 9 inches, a 36-inch chest, an 18-inch waist, and 33-inch hips (Winterman, 2009). Certainly this is not realistic in today’s society. Barbie’s unrealistic body structure can poorly influence young girls on their own body image and as such, regulations for toy makers should be put in place to promote positive body composition.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that barbie's unrealistic body structure can negatively influence young girls on their own body image.
- Explains that scientists are beginning to realize how young children can become affected by the things around them. a study performed at pennsylvania state university showed that children as young as 5 years old can have body dissatisfaction.
- Explains that barbie's appearance is so unrealistic that it is often feared that this improbable body structure could influence young girls to become anorexic and face various health problems to meet unrealistic standards.
- Illustrates how a research study by doeschka j. anschutz and rutger c. m. e. engels (2010) showed that young girls may reduce their food intake to try and mimic the thin dolls body structure.
- Explains that barbie is harmful to young girls' self-esteem, but the "ideal" body image has greatly changed over the years.
- Explains that barbie dolls were not considered the primary role model for physical appearance in previous years. today, advertisers depict unrealistic physical looks and encourage young girls to imitate them.
- Opines that when choosing a doll for such an influential age it is important to choose one that will help them to develop and grow positively.
706 wordsRead More - Barbara Millicent Roberts: Barbieanalytical essayWe may know the most controversial piece of molded plastic formed into the shape of an out of proportion woman with blonde hair. Her name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, or as we know her, Barbie. With her odd portrayal of a woman, many believe that Barbie should be banned for suggesting to young girls that a woman only has one image to strive for. But Barbie is no more than a “piece of plastic” molded into something that looks nothing like a woman at all; she is a simply innocent child’s toy that should never be used as a tool for feminists. The Barbie controversy started in 1959 when she was introduced to a toy fair in New York after becoming popular overseas. The controversies went from her being too lewd to being too thin, both reasons supposedly encouraging unacceptable thoughts in the minds of young girls. Although many believe that this toy is harmful, we need to see that Barbie is just an innocent toy that promotes positive imagination of future careers and self-image in our young generation of females.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that barbie is a poor representation of the woman that encourages young girls to forget work and concentrate on being glamorous instead.
- Explains that barbie is innocent until proven to be the only source of destructive young lifestyles. barbie has held a variety of different and very powerful careers.
- Argues that barbie is a positive object that young girls use to express themselves and imagine what their future should be like.
- Argues that barbie is an innocent child's toy that should never be used as a tool for feminists.
- Quotes alter, charlotte, engin, hande bilsel, and stampler, laura. "doctor barbie doesn't make girls want to be doctors."
940 wordsRead More - Body Image Studiesopinionated essayAlong the same lines, Body image studies have been done across the world, on multiple age groups. Many studies have revealed that body image had become of concern to an individual when they were younger. When growing up, many children go through a time period of socialization. Granted that there are multiple forms of socializations but one-form effects the way that both females and males may look at their body image. The University of Nevada, completed a research that stated, “The use of dolls in play may influence the development of one’s body image and may result in a child comparing his own body to that of a doll’s” (Pedersen and Markee). A common doll, known as Barbie, has been named one of the most popular dolls among many countries. Not only does Barbie have a disfigured body shape but she also has the glamorous clothes, to go along with her (Pedersen and Markee). What is this teaching the children of today’s society? Is this doll letting many children down, when they do not have the body image she has or the clothes she wears? (Pedersen and Markee). A study performed stated, “Particularly famous aspects of Barbie are her body image and the proportions that have been criticized for being extremely unrealistic” (Anschutz and Engels). According to Kurther and McDonald, when children play, their toys become a very influential part in their development of self-concept. Along with that, children have a favorite toy that they become attached too. The child’s preferred toy choice may have an impact on how they identify themselves. The chosen toy may have some impact in many are areas of their life. Toys can send a particular message to a child about their gender, roles as an adult, and even values. When picking up a toy, many think...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that body image studies have been done across the world, on multiple age groups.
- Opines that toys can have a positive impact on children's lives, such as their gender, roles, and values. the barbie doll has become an icon for females and the american dream.
- Opines that people have different images of what their ideal body is. anschutz and engels may be exaggerating on how frequently young girls are exposed to barbie dolls.
- Opines that beauty is a term that needs to be thought about and specified to each individual's needs.
905 wordsRead More - Why Is Barbie A Role Modelanalytical essayOver the years, Barbie dolls have received a lot of criticism in the feminist community, but for what? With an unrealistically tiny waist and idealized looks, she’s almost too perfect. That kind of role model couldn’t be healthy for young girls. These judgements have been made for decades, but it seems that society has lost the true meaning of feminism. Instead of analyzing Barbie’s immense success and drivenness, the critics reduce Barbie to a stereotypical dumb blonde. Despite countless criticisms for her unrealistic body proportions, Barbie has proven time and time again to be a fantastic role model for girls in their perception of gender roles, possible career choices, and physical limitations.
In this essay, the author
- Defines "idol" as "a greatly loved or admired person." barbie fits the bill perfectly.
- Analyzes how barbie has received a lot of criticism in the feminist community, but it seems that society has lost the true meaning of feminism.
- Analyzes how barbie, one of the first dolls for girls that didn't reinforce rigid gender roles, encouraged girls to "be who they wanna be." barbie has held more male-dominant jobs than any real woman ever.
- Argues that barbie is a vital part of young girls' transition into womanhood, because she provides alternatives to the female stereotypes of mother and wife.
- Analyzes how barbie breaks free from tradition and covers new ground in the workforce, showing girls that they have countless options.
- Analyzes how the age-old question "brains or beauty" simplifies an extremely complex subject and teaches today's young girls that they have to choose one or the other and stick with it.
- Analyzes how barbie eradicates the idea that brains versus beauty is a twisted dichotomy, and young girls could certainly use that kind of positive influence in their lives.
- Opines that meg cabot's perception of barbie is spot on. she taught us that we could be anything we wanted to be.
- Opines that eating disorders in today's youth are at an all-time high due to this poisonous way of thinking.
- Explains that barbie isn't a bad role model because of one fact that is often overlooked- she's molded piece of plastic. insecure adults project their problems onto their children.
- Explains that invalid criticisms of barbie are more harmful to young girls than the doll itself. parents condition their children to accept a form of body shaming.
- Argues that the only way to stop body shaming altogether is for society to embrace all people, or dolls for that matter, no matter how they look.
- Explains that barbie teaches girls that their options are endless and that it's possible to pursue a career and not give up your individual identity. ruth handler had big plans for this little doll when she came up with the idea.
1279 wordsRead More - Barbie and Cinderella as Mirrors and Models by Allison Hostetleranalytical essayAllison Hostetler, author of Barbie and Cinderella as Mirrors and Models, connects with the issue on body image. While reading this article, I continuously shook my head up and down because I completely agreed with Allison. Many times through out the essay, the author made me stop and think about what it was she was saying. After acknowledging what the author was saying, I realized I could relate to many of the situations and apply them to different scenarios. Did Barbie dolls, brat dolls, or even movies play a role in our lives while growing up? When I look back to my childhood and look at how I think now, I think that they did play a role in how my friends and I thought at the time. Especially, today on how society looks at people and how many television shows have actors with “perfected” bodies.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how allison hostetler, author of barbie and cinderella as mirrors and models, connects with the issue of body image.
- Opines that women are not as equal in art as men. the guerrilla girls hide their identity under masks that look like gorillas and wear black skirts or shorts.
- Explains that money can buy things to make one's image appear better than someone who is less fortunate and can't buy to have their bodies look like societies definition of an "ideal" body.
- Explains that media in today's society has given both females and males unrealistic body figures to relate to. dissatisfaction with their own bodies can add stress and lead to eating disorders.
- Analyzes how christina's weight gain caused her to be unfavorable to society, leading to body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. music videos and media have similar effects on males as in females.
- Opines that society needs to be more realistic on how people should look after gender and money.
1259 wordsRead More - Busting Barbieanalytical essayIt would be logical to ban Barbie. A psychology experiment in 2006 in the United Kingdoms tested 162 girls between the ages of 5-8 to assess how girls view their body image. They discovered those exposed to Barbie had produced “lower self-esteem and a greater desire for a thinner body shape.” (Hoskins) By being exposed to Barbie at a young age, later effects can trigger diseases in girls. Heidi Montag is an example of how Barbie has impacted her life. She has undergone 21 surgeries her own quest for “perfection.”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how barbie's influence on girls is causing them to feel that their body is not "perfect". eating disorders, unrealistic expectations, and self-confidence are all at risk once a young girl receives her first barbie doll.
- Analyzes how a psychology experiment in 2006 in the united kingdoms tested 162 girls between the ages of 5-8 to assess how girls view their body image.
- Analyzes how barbie targets young girls to fantasize about being perfect because girls are impressionable at all ages. slumber party barbie was introduced in 1965 and came with a bathroom scale permanently set at 110 lbs
- Explains that body dysmorphic disorder is a psychological disorder in which one becomes obsessed with imaginary defects in their appearance. barbie's lack of body fat would make it impossible for her to menstrate, and her waist would be 39% smaller than anorexia sufferers.
- Opines that barbie's should not be the only influential role model in the upbringing of a child, but many parents neglect this fact and reward their child with the doll so that they can continue with their busy life.
- Explains that barbie is a multi-talented, multicultural doll, but the study asked preschool-aged black children to choose between one caucasian doll and one with darker skin. self-loathing and internalized racism are huge factors.
- Analyzes how society takes advantage of young girls' insecurities and builds them throughout their lives. world wide eating disorders, low self-esteem, and false perception of beauty are all emphasized to girls.
- Opines that barbie is a role model but most girls' goals are unrealistic and can't be met. barbie provies alternatives to the female stereotype of mother and wife, but marriage isn’t perfect.
715 wordsRead More - Barbieanalytical essayBarbie Since the beginning of time, toys have often been an indicator of the way a society behaves, and how they interact with their children. For example, in ancient Greece, artifacts recovered there testify that children were simply not given toys to play with as in the modern world. The cruel ritual of leaving a sick child on a hillside for dead, seems to indicate a lack of attention to the young (Lord 16). The same is true of today’s society. As you can see with the number of toy stores in our society, we find toys of great value to our lives and enjoy giving them to children as gifts.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that barbie's anorexic figure is a result of her disproportional body size, which gave her wardrobe designers no limits to their imagination.
- Analyzes how barbie's powerful influence has made her the ideal of feminine beauty. she has endured 20 operations and $55,000 worth of surgeries to create a life-size barbie with her own body.
- Explains that barbie's new-found fame led to many young girls buying the doll and looking to her as a role model.
- Analyzes how ruth handler's vision for the first children’s adult doll became a popular pornographic gag gift for men.
- Analyzes how a barbie hate group called the barbie liberation organization switched the talking mechanisms in thousands of barbie dolls with those of hasbro's g.i. joe "talking duke" action figures.
1732 wordsRead More - Barbie: Her Intentions and Her Impactanalytical essayBarbie, an American icon that was a product of the Mattel Company, revolutionized the lives of young girls and women for many decades. The creation of Barbie, meant for many young girls the opportunity to have choices during a time when women were limited. Although, Barbie has long been criticized for being associated with domesticity and her appearance among many other things, she is nonetheless an iconic figure in American History. As a female who grew up playing with Barbie dolls, for many people like myself, she was more than a toy, she was an influence that many woman have tried to emulate because she was an innovate figure in the 1960s and has continued to be well into today. The intention of this paper is to examine what were the intentions of Barbie doll creator Ruth Handler when the doll debuted in 1959 as well as the magnitude of Barbie’s impact on women and women’s history.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how barbie, an american icon, revolutionized the lives of young girls and women for many decades.
- Explains that the barbie doll revolutionized the way women thought of themselves and caused controversy because it did not directly encourage domesticity.
- Analyzes how barbie was a symbol of self-sufficiency and independence in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Analyzes how the barbie doll has impacted the lives of many different generations of women. it contradicted the idea of true womanhood because it encouraged women to take care of themselves and seek various kinds of careers.
- Explains that barbie is the woman excluded from the world of work with its attendant sense of achievement, to live a life based on leisure activities, personal appearance, accumulation of possessions, and the search for popularity.
- Analyzes johansen, michele, "the evolution of working women: what barbie has taught us." atom.
- Explains motz, marilyn f., "seen through the rose tinted glass." popular culture.
- Analyzes briana piche's "the intentions behind the creation of barbie". illinois wesleyan university, 2009.
- Analyzes shannon, jacqueline, "primary sources: ruth handler: staying home wasn't in my makeup."
1007 wordsRead More - Barbie the Teenage Fashion Dollanalytical essayThe idea of Barbie came about when a woman named Ruth Handler was watching her daughter play with dolls. In the 1950’s, girls of all ages only had paper or cardboard dolls to play with and preferred to play with cut outs of teenagers and adult dolls. So, Ruth Handler thought to make The Teenage Fashion Doll for older girls, as a three dimensional doll, called Barbie, named after her daughter Barbara (Heppermann 2010). However, Mrs. Handler met resistance when she went to her husband with the idea, and he didn’t think her idea would work out. When they travelled to Germany, she found a doll called Bild Lilli. This doll was a strong-minded individual that would use all at her disposal to get what she wanted. Bild Lilli was adult-bodied; which represented exactly what Handler had in mind for Barbie. In 1959, Barbie made her debut at the American International Toy Fair. This was the start of a new revolution, as far as dolls were concerned because for the first time, dolls did not only consist of paper and cardboard dolls, but also a more realistic, three dimensional doll that resembles what girls would want to be like, and can physically hold. But, like many toys, Barbie’s fame was not without its challenges.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how ruth handler's idea of barbie came about when she was watching her daughter play with dolls. she thought to make the teenage fashion doll for older girls as a three-dimensional doll, named barbie.
- Explains that barbie, like many other dolls, has established itself as a role model for many young girls and has caused many pre-teens to have unrealistic aspirations when it comes to their physical appearance.
- Argues that the barbie concept falls under the demeaning stigma of females being depicted as sex symbols and perceived as the incompetent gender.
- Narrates how stonehouse spent £20,000 to look like bardot on express.co.uk.
- Explains that barbie is tall and slender with a small waist and full chest with blonde hair and blue eyes.
- Analyzes the effects of experimental exposure to images of dolls on the body image of 5- to 8-year-old girls.
1215 wordsRead More