Friday 9 March 2012

Happy birthday Barbie!

Today in 1959 the Barbie doll made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York, and she’s been going strong ever since.  
Some say she’s good, some have major issues but she should at least be recognised (especially so close to International Women's Day) for her staying power!

OK so she’s too skinny - even with her wider waist in later years - but Barbie, in other ways, demonstrates some great examples of ‘Girl Power’.  The same people who highlight that she is a bad role model for young girls with regards to her weight might also recognise that she sets a great example in other ways.

Here are seven reasons why? She's...

1.     A go-getter… is there a job (male-dominated included) that she hasn’t tried out?
2.     Independent: after all, she’s not conformed to marriage and leaves Ken in her shadow
3.     Re-invented herself to keep up with the times - that show's openness to growth, right?
4.     Resilient and bounces back from disaster (fairly often!)
5.     Appears to be a great friend to humans and animals
6.     Embracing of different cultures (appropriation?)
7.     Makes films that have a positive message

On a personal note, I’d quite like to have her influence, resources, an extensive wardrobe, and designers providing me with outfits for a 50th birthday catwalk show.

In a week where the question has been raised as to whether we girls are too hard on each other, I say ‘Go Barbie’!

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