Eating Disorders In Ruth Marianna Handler's The Slumber Party

Barbie is a child’s play doll that has been a sensation since 1959. Ruth Marianna Handler and an engineer, Jack Ryan, fixed and remodeled the doll. Barbie got her name after Ruth’s daughter, Barbara.The doll made its debut at The American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Since then, this doll has been marketed everywhere in stores all around the world and into the little girls’ hands. Although this outstanding doll was created to inspire young girls, it does not serve as a good role model; Barbie shows unequal proportions that makes it impossible to walk on two legs, the Slumber Party Barbie represents unhealthy weight lost, and Barbie’s wardrobe isn’t appropriate for adolescents.

Barbie’s proportions in human form make

It was released in 1965, along with a scale at 110 lbs and a diet book telling girls if they want to lose weight they need to stop eating. People who usually refuse to eat to lose weight end up with an eating disorder. Eating disorders in America have commonly led to depression. This causes people to hate their body and can sadly lead to suicide. Only 1 out of 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment. Only 35% of people that receive this treatment gets treated at a specialized facility for eating disorders. Tragically eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. So not only is this illness common already ,but the doll makes it seem that it’s okay for little ones to follow the

Barbie is known for her varieties of fashion. In the 21st century, she is more known for wearing pink and sparkles, but even now and when Barbie was created she is seen in short skirts and crop tops to show off her figure. In 2000 a Lingerie Silkstone Barbie was released and even though it was not intended for children it's still seen as a toy. This creates new images in little minds all over the world. Today when looking for an appropriate outfit for Barbie usually you need to get I Can Be… outfits. These outfits go from astronauts suits to doctor’s attire. Even though it's good to have a career Barbie’s casual outfits are just too revealing for child's play.

Many people say that Barbie is a great role model because she represents a woman who can achieve many careers. Although this is seen a Barbie computer engineer was created. Many were outraged with a quote in the book, “I’m only creating the design ideas … I’ll need Steven and Brian’s help to turn it into a real game!” This quote for many represented sexism and how women cannot do something without the help of a man. In the eyes of a woman, it is considered an offense to say a girl can not do something without a man’s help. This is just a whole other reason why Barbie is not a good role