Barbie Is A Good Role Model
First appearing in 1959 at the American International Toy Fair, has since become the best selling doll in the world. Barbie has become so popular, that several controversies have come up about her, the most recurrent being whether or not Barbie serves as a good role model for little girls. This paper aims to provide argumentative elements based on facts and reason that support the idea that Barbie is indeed a good role model for little girls. The argument that I wish to make is that Barbie’s biography is indicative of values that women hold dear and that mothers wish of their little girls when they grow up.
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was born a healthy baby girl to George and Margaret Roberts of Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie attended Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City. Barbie’s senior year in high school introduced her to Ken Carson, who would later be her boyfriend. Barbie has had over forty pets including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. She has owned pink convertibles, trailers, jeeps and more.
She also holds a pilot’s license, and operates commercial airliners in addition to serving as a flight attendant. She has been, among many others, a veterinarian, an astronaut and a diplomat. Barbie has a lot of friends including Hipic Teresa, African American Christie and Steven (Christie’s boyfriend). (Lord 2) Liberalism has been a positive value to America which has shaped the improvement of many sectors in society. Women in particular have forwarded the feminist movement successfully from the 60s through the 70s, lobbying for equality in treatment and dignity.
Barbie’s plethora of abilities indicates the woman’s ability to take on any task given to her and do well in it. Her ability to drive convertibles and trucks and planes alike signifies that women need not bend over to masculine predominance and can actually do things that men used to do for them on their own. Even Barbie’s relationship with Ken, riddled with breakups and reconciliations as it was, showed a Barbie that was not dependent on a man. This is the very core of the feminist movement that every little girl should be aware of.
Little girls who are avid fans of Barbie run the easy possibility of being exposed to these lofty ideas of gender equality very early on in their lives. It could lead them to assert themselves in class, gather courage to participate in school activities and sporting events and have strength to fight against anyone that might want to take advantage of her. Animal rights have been a long standing issue in society. The welfare of house pets and the survival of endangered species are of primary concern to humankind.
Towards the goals of animal rights movements, Barbie promotes kindness in the pets that she has had. Her many pets teach little girls the importance of taking care of one’s animals. Advertisements of Barbie with a new pet always show the young woman taking the best of care of her little darlings. Also, her array of pets includes endangered species, which at the very least gathers awareness from the little ones who idolize her. Who knows how many little girls were inspired to be marine biologists or veterinarians because they were fans of Barbie and her pets during their childhood years?
In the era of terrorism, racial disputes and bickering abound all over the world. In the United States, violence in schools due to racial discrimination has reached an all time high. People are very suspicious of anyone who doesn’t look like them. New people are always regarded with fear or anger, especially if they are of a foreign race. But what does Barbie show our little girls at home? She shows them that having friends isn’t a matter of picking people you have a lot of things in common with; it is a matter of talking to people, of talking about your differences and finding the beauty in them.
Barbie’s being white doesn’t hinder her from being friends with people of different colors, whether it’s Hipic Theresa or African-American Christie. Barbie’s selection of friends is not hindered by prejudice. All these three explanations tied to three very contentious issues of today prove that Barbie is one of the good girls. It proves that Barbie is a believer in women’s rights. That she is a feminist by heart and that her nature as a young strong woman who can take on any task and not any man get in her way is the woman of today.
It proves that Barbie is a supporter of animal rights. Her care for her pets condemns animal cruelty and her inclusion of endangered species among the animals she takes care of shows her concern for the dangers these animals face. It proves that Barbie is no racist, she is an open minded young lady who has made friends because of heart and not skin color. Barbie’s biography speaks of a good young lady, who serves as a good role model for all the little girls who love her. Sources: Lord, M. G. , Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll. Paperback
