Barbie Role Model Analysis

Barbie: The Role Model

When the famous Danish-Norwegian group Aqua introduced us to their new song rhetorically named “Barbie Girl”, no one expected this mediocre song to become such a phenomenon; an anthem in which many people still know to this very day. Created in 1977, this song was made as an ode amid society’s love for this doll. Not only did this song have a catchy tune and a colorful video that enacted all of Barbie’s hobbies, the lyrics of this song, also interpreted sex appeal in modern society. “I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world…”helped further our obsession with Mattel’s infamous product: The Barbie Doll.

Established in 1940’s, Mattel Creations (sometimes known as Mattel Toys), was invented by Ruth and Elliot Handler, a

In this article, Ms. Masters mentions how society has made this doll out to be something negative, thus later causing this doll to be been ridiculed and demonized. However, this hasn’t stopped the progression that this doll has made influencing society stating that “she can go for as much as $12,000.” What’s your secret Barbie/Mattel? How can a doll producing so much publicity still be a role model for young girls and grown women galore? As mentioned earlier in the song “Barbie Girl”, one quote stood out the most to me.” Imagination, life is your creation…” this quote embodied all of what we want. Your imagination can run wild. Anything you want to do, it’s up to you to create. Barbie is a doll that incorporates many hobbies in her everyday life with a family and several careers. Whether a journalist, a doctor, a professional dancer or even a professional speed racer Barbie, you have an abundance of roles to play with. If you imagined it, there’s a Barbie for it. In Defense of Barbie is another article that feels as equally as I do pertaining to Barbie’s success and scrutiny. “With new ads in Times Square showcasing a new slogan: Be you, be bold, Be Unapologetic” Barbie is more of a positive role model for society instead of what the world makes her out to be. What other doll influences children and women to pursue their dreams? “Yes, she represents beauty and materialism; sure, but she also represents mutability, imagination and professional possibilities…” This quote really stood out to me during my research of both sides of this controversial debate. In pop culture, all we see are the flaws which this doll has and as Ms Alter says “We could use Barbie as a way to talk to girls about the jobs they want, not the bodies they want. Barbie knows how to ask for