Assignment 2: "Barbie, Sexualisation and Body Image: The Debates Rage On" - Cheryl Chua Xin Ting & Hum Kai Ting (4B)

Summarise the criticisms made against Barbie by the author or from the links provided in the article.

The author feels that issues such as barbie's proportions creating unrealistic body standards, her whiteness, her role in the fight against the pink aisle, against gendered toys, have always been surfacing. She also feels that the live action film starring Barbie would definitely inspire debate, between feminists for this sexualised image of impossible beauty and others about empowerment and feminism. The author also feels that the feminist debate about Barbie might gradually be the factor in keeping her iconic if sales continue to plummet and the mother's attitude that has the most impact on their children's health, not the toy. The author also feels that Barbie is symbolic to all, symbolizing a vessel to contain our stories and she is just a doll not feminist or role model unless we choose her to be one.

If the author is correct, what can people do to resolve the issues raised in the article about the sexualisation of dolls, like Barbie?
Like the author's opinion, I feel that ultimately, Barbie is nothing but a doll. The way adults and children view things differently, causing adults to be paranoid over things that should not exist- until it has been brought under public attention. Children, being pure-minded and innocent, see Barbie as a playmate and nothing more, occasionally wanting to "dress up" their dolls or give them a "new look". There are no thoughts of feminism in their minds. However, with the adults' view on the clothes and jobs "given" to Barbie considered feminist, these innocent children are constantly exposed to the side of their toys they would have never thought of. Hence, I feel that before condemning Barbie as a symbol of feminism, adults should first view toys as just toys, not symbols. The author stated that mothers are using Barbie the way their daughters do, as a symbol, a vessel to contain their stories. I feel that the author is implying that the way Barbie is actually used is different, as mothers use them as a symbol of feminism, or a vessel keeping their past memories filled with feminist ideas, while their daughters use them as a symbol of their pure childhood filled with increasing ideas of women independence. Therefore, I feel that instead of harping on the past ideas, mothers should acknowledge that now Barbie is just a doll, and nothing more.