Caroline Zielinski
archillesBarbie and Consumerism
April 7th 2008 06:02
I know this topic is constantly being debated, with programs and web sites and academic essays being dedicated to its causes and existance. But I just finished reading an essay about the impact of Barbie, and the way her body proportions have not changed for the last 50 years, despite the growth of food disorders like anorexia and bulemia.
I know Barbie isn't solely reponsible for the way we, as girls and women, think about our bodies and clothes today. But as a toy, Barbie and all of her friends and products can have a significant role in influencing children, espeically young girls, on how they should look and behave like as they grow up.
Aside from the obvious discussion about Barbie's unrealistic, if not impossible figure, I found the aspect of Barbie and her link to consumerism an interesting point. The defintion of Barbie as a post war luxury icon is true in the sense that Barbie, and all that she embodies, isthe wonderful yet unobtainable life of luxury most people crave. Barbie isn't just the doll herself; Barbie is a product, a brand, an icon of glamour and a sumptious lifestyle.
Seriously, how many girls who are/ were a fan of Barbie were satisfied with just the doll herself? I know I wasn't. I had about 13 or so dolls, ranging from Mermaid Barbie (I had all three: the gold one, the blue one and the pink one), as well as Pocahonats Barbie, a few Ken dolls, Kelli's and even Skipper. That was all fine, until I got bored of this one persona that each Barbie embodied. I wanted to make every Barbie someone else; a doctor, a business woman or a jockey. And really, it was as easy as that: the next Christmas, I got a very pretty pearly-white Barbie horse, with a brand new outift for Barbie and even friends. The Christmas after that, I received a Barbie van, which could become a caravan home or a sexy convertible.
That's only TWO out of millions of options Barbie consumers are faced with today. When you buy a Barbie, you also buy into a world of fantasy and glamour, where any doll can become whatever you want her to be, simply with a purchase of a new accessorie and attire. This endless realms of possibilities are excellent in fuelling imaginations and dreams; however, they also impliy that in order to become anyone/ anything, you must spend, spend, spend to be acknowledged.
Now that I think about it, I realise that my obsession with clothes probably had a start with Barbie. Before any interest in my perosonal style, I would save all my pocket money, or, more often than not, beg my parents to buy me that latest fur coat or pretty pink skirt for Barbie. Even Kelli had to get new clothes! Ken also had his own formal suit as well as a checked shirt and 3/4 jeans.
It was through those clothes that I started to slowly develop my own taste, and to recognise an emerging sense of a personal style which would slowly be honed during the next 10 years.
Just wanted to point out how scary it is that such an influencial and popular toy has kind of become a starting point for a little girl's inegration into society and all it has to offer via consumerism.
I know Barbie isn't solely reponsible for the way we, as girls and women, think about our bodies and clothes today. But as a toy, Barbie and all of her friends and products can have a significant role in influencing children, espeically young girls, on how they should look and behave like as they grow up.
Aside from the obvious discussion about Barbie's unrealistic, if not impossible figure, I found the aspect of Barbie and her link to consumerism an interesting point. The defintion of Barbie as a post war luxury icon is true in the sense that Barbie, and all that she embodies, isthe wonderful yet unobtainable life of luxury most people crave. Barbie isn't just the doll herself; Barbie is a product, a brand, an icon of glamour and a sumptious lifestyle.
Seriously, how many girls who are/ were a fan of Barbie were satisfied with just the doll herself? I know I wasn't. I had about 13 or so dolls, ranging from Mermaid Barbie (I had all three: the gold one, the blue one and the pink one), as well as Pocahonats Barbie, a few Ken dolls, Kelli's and even Skipper. That was all fine, until I got bored of this one persona that each Barbie embodied. I wanted to make every Barbie someone else; a doctor, a business woman or a jockey. And really, it was as easy as that: the next Christmas, I got a very pretty pearly-white Barbie horse, with a brand new outift for Barbie and even friends. The Christmas after that, I received a Barbie van, which could become a caravan home or a sexy convertible.
That's only TWO out of millions of options Barbie consumers are faced with today. When you buy a Barbie, you also buy into a world of fantasy and glamour, where any doll can become whatever you want her to be, simply with a purchase of a new accessorie and attire. This endless realms of possibilities are excellent in fuelling imaginations and dreams; however, they also impliy that in order to become anyone/ anything, you must spend, spend, spend to be acknowledged.
Now that I think about it, I realise that my obsession with clothes probably had a start with Barbie. Before any interest in my perosonal style, I would save all my pocket money, or, more often than not, beg my parents to buy me that latest fur coat or pretty pink skirt for Barbie. Even Kelli had to get new clothes! Ken also had his own formal suit as well as a checked shirt and 3/4 jeans.
It was through those clothes that I started to slowly develop my own taste, and to recognise an emerging sense of a personal style which would slowly be honed during the next 10 years.
Just wanted to point out how scary it is that such an influencial and popular toy has kind of become a starting point for a little girl's inegration into society and all it has to offer via consumerism.
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Comment by samaritan
Fringe Faith
Samaritan's Stories
That is very true and very sad. We live in a society where personalities are bought. We are brainwashed to think that the more we spend, the more we can be the type of people we want to be. And this brainwashing starts at a very early age.
I remember being a kid and pouring through catalogues circling all the things I would buy if I was an adult - and therefore, so my childish brain thought, had heaps of money. Even my kids do it now. When I'm an adult, I'm going to have this kind of car. And I have tried to raise them to see that money isn't that important.
I believe I've changed a bit since then. I try to recognise that who I am on the inside is much more important that the products that I buy. But I still fall into the trap. Just this afternoon, I bought two pots. They're just pots, but I absolutely love them. They are so me!
Samaritan
www.fringefaith.com