Making Dolls Look more Realistic...Good Idea?
By Jshean20
@Jshean20 (14348)
Canada
February 27, 2007 3:30am CST
Well we all know how much little girls love to play with dolls when they're growing up, but they're looking at something that isn't even realistic looking and getting the wrong message. Girls often have such low self-esteem because they are misled into believing that only certain things are "beautiful".
I say instead of making Barbie dolls a stick figure-add some curves, put some acne on their faces, anything to make them look realistic. What do you guys think?
2 people like this
4 responses
@sammantha (278)
• United States
27 Feb 07
I think that you might be right about that. Look at Barbi now you can pull a baby out of her stomach.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Wow..this is my topic this week in the mental health nursing class that I teach! Yes, we need some new toys that don't make girls feel that they have to be a size 0 and be 'perfect.' How about some dolls with braces, curves, eyeglasses, and normal things! Those darn 'Bratz' dolls are no better!
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
28 Feb 07
I see absolutely nothing wrong with the dark barbie dolls or the bratz, but I see a lot wrong with narrow minded people. There are dark skinned people and there are people who identify with the bratz.
We can no longer live in a society where children can not go into the toy store and see a doll that they instantly love because that doll looks like them or someone they know, respect, and love. We will not send mankind back 400 years.
Everyone has the right to feel good about who they are and if another person does not like it, don't look or don't buy that doll for your child. I totally agree that these dolls should have acne and curves and maybe a chicken pop scar or something. It is so hard to make children feel good about themselves as it is.
We need the dolls to help the children see that there is no such thing as a perfect person. This is our responsibility as parents and as the makers of the toys.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
28 Feb 07
LOL... pimple barbie... not sure she would sell too well! LOL
I personally don't think "Barbie" put low self esteem in the girls of today or yesterday. Unrealistic movie stars, pictures in magazines, and "real life" shows that are anything but REAL LIFE are what bends girls' minds into thinking they're not good enough.
I think people give a discredit to the intelligence of our youth when they try to blame toys on things. Kids know toys are toys and are "pretend". I'm certain every little boy that has ever played with a GI Joe is not going to rush out and join the army. But if we started showing nothing but buff men getting the women and only totally buff and hot men in magazines they might begin to think like our girls do.. that they're not good enough.
But I do think you should contact mattel with this new idea! She could come with her own ProActiV set! LOL
@sappho99336 (354)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I think it's a great idea. There was a doll out for awhile called the "Happy to be Me" doll, and it was a pretty doll, but her measurements were a lot more realistic than Barbie's. It never really caught on, though. I don't think the problem is just Barbie, though. It's everything--pictures of unrealistically skinny models in magazines, actresses in movies and on TV, and everything. I like what Dove is doing--yes, it's to sell products, but their models are more normal in weight.
