I saw this article on the internet this morning:Barbie’s new S&M look has whipped up a storm — with protesters dubbing it "filth."
The doll’s image is transformed with kinky fishnets, motorcycle jacket, black gloves and boots.
Maker Mattel says Black Canary Barbie, out in September, is based on a DC Comics superhero of the same name.
But religious group Christian Voice said: "Barbie has always been on the tarty side and this is taking it too far. A children’s doll in sexually suggestive clothing is irresponsible — it’s filth."
Oh, SO agreed!!! I have never liked Barbie. My little sister Dana used to tell me that she was going to buy my kids Barbies to play with because I always said that I never would. (Okay, I did buy Grace a barbie bike, but even I have a hard time turning down a steal of a deal at a consignment sale!! And she needed a bike! But I have never bought a barbie doll!!) I think that the whole idea of Barbie creates an unrealistic expectation of beauty/body that is virtually unattainable by 99.99999% of the human population. Combine this with young impressionable girls idolizing her and I just don't think it is a good thing. I think that young girls are way too overly sexualized by the constant bombardment of images, such as this barbie, on TV, magazines, billboards, walking through the mall, etc. I don't know who thought that making a barbie, BARBIE whose target market is young girls, dressed in S & M clothing would be a good idea. Have we become so desensitized?! How are little girls going to play with this barbie? Put her on a seedy street corner and have Ken drive up in his barbie jeep?! I get it, it is probably supposed to be a collectors item for adults, but come on!! I will continue the boycott...
5 comments:
I totally agree with you. I was never really into Barbies so I hope Piper follows suit. The Brats dolls also annoy me.
It's OK if they want to make a completely separate action figure that is marketed to adults like they do with all other comic book characters, but Barbies are clearly marketed toward little girls.
I have never heard of this character before so I just looked it up on wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Canary
She hasn't always looked like that. If they stayed true to the original artwork, the doll wouldn't be so bad.
That brings a good question to mind - why have female superhero costumes gotten skimpier with time while male superheros just get more muscle? I guess it shouldn't be so surprising considering the fact that most of the comic book artists are probably just male geeks and pop culture is so good at objectifying women.
Oh, I hate those Bratz dolls too!!
Well, as liberal as I am for the Mormon crowd, I still totally agree with you Becky! It IS completely irresponsible to market a doll in sexually suggestive clothing to a target audience of 6 - 8 year old girls. I think you make good points about Barbie and body image; I never thought of that, and Ivy has at least 10 barbie dolls. But that's exactly why I think this doll is over the line. I heard someone say, "This doll is for Eliot Spitzer" which I did find amusing, but you can bet it's going to be stocked right next to all the other barbie's, where little girls will see it and ask for it, when it should be stocked in the Adult section next to the porn where it belongs!!!
does my heart good to see you 30somethings stepping up to the plate of motherhood in such a responsible fashion. you are going to have great children.
becky's mom
I can't belive it! That is horrible. I hate walking down the Bratz asile and have Mia point and say she wants them. Just the name makes me crazy! This barbie is over the edge. I am so glad Mia knows what being modest is and for now she understands and trusts my judgement. It scares me to death to think about the future. Thanks for the heads up!
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