Is Barbie a good role model?

Barbie is not a good role model, but neither is a hula hoop or a toy truck or a sandbox. Toys are not role models; people are role models, and children who are raised around proper, living, breathing, human role models will grow up to know the difference between reality and fantasy.

Little girls have been playing Pretty Pretty Princess since time immemorial, and nobody finds that the least bit disturbing: "I'm the Pretty Pretty Princess and I live in a great big castle, and my daddy is the King of Everything, and all the boys want to kiss me but I'm going to marry Prince Charming, the most handsome prince in all the land, and we're going to ride away on his big white horse and live happily ever after." In today's terms, that translates to: "My father is a high ranking official, we own everything, I get whatever I want, I live in the biggest house, I'm smokin' hot, and I marry a hot dude with a ton of money and a kickin' car, then we're happy forever." All you have to do is add: "Also, I have tits out to there, an ass that won't quit, and legs that reach to Kingdom Come," and you have Barbie.

Don't blame Barbie for the fact that women want to be attractive, and don't blame Barbie for the fact men like smokin' hot bods. Mattel doesn't force women to emulate a deformed female-esque chunk of injection molding. Mattel only filled a noticeable void with a marketable toy by playing off of preexisting neuroses. Barbie doesn't create body image issues; body image issues created Barbie. Perhaps if people acted as strong enough role models instead of blaming toys for the woes of the world, Barbie would never have had to happen.

by Katzwinkel (69.41) on 3/22/10.

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Adults over think a concept way to much. Barbie has been around for years. It is a DOLL designed to play with for young girls. Girls at such a young age use barbie as a toy or entertainment. Barbie is a part of a little girls world. Girls may adore barbie and want to be like barbie but once they get older they can realize barbie is not a person to call a role model and get motivation from but just a doll designed for a little girls entertainment and use their imagination during play time.

by Nomran2 (52.04) on 3/24/10.

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You can't blame barbie for being a role model. Shes a doll, that little girls love to play with, they can exactly look up to a Barbie. Let the little girls be happy and play with there pretty barbies.

by ajstec16 (50) on 3/22/10.

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Barbie is not a good role model.. She puts the idea of being tall, skinny, and blonde in the heads of children as being the only glamorous or beautiful stereotype

by mckahne89 (53.06) on 3/11/10.

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Barbie is NOT a role model!!!! Barbie is a piece of plastic!!! She has no moral compass or standards!! She is just a doll. If one is going to apply title of role model to Barbie, where do we draw the line?
Is GI Joe a war monger or is he just another piece of plastic?
If a parent does not like the doll then they should not buy the doll.
Let us give credit to all the young girls across the world that play or have played with Barbie. They understand that Barbie is a doll and all the clothing, accessories and career choices are not reality.

by Buscia (66.32) on 3/18/10.

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not only are the first two true but look at everything u can buy with her. a huge house, nice car, and ken. lets face it all she is good for is puting negative thoughts into little girls minds and starting them off with a low self esteem and the thought they have to be this beautiful woman who needs and has everything jsut to be wanted by others

by skylerbigsac (53.06) on 3/22/10.

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