Perez/ Dec. 1/ Blog Post
Earlier this month images surfaced the Internet of a Barbie doll named the 'Normal Barbie'. This Barbie comes in the size of an "average" American woman. It will also come with add ons giving kids the chance to give their Barbie stretch marks, freckles, acne, and more.
To my surprise, many people were overjoyed with this 'normal Barbie'. I however was not. The first thing that came to mind was what is normal? It is nice that a doll was designed to show young girls what flaws many girls face. But what if a girl doesn't get stretch marks, or doesn't get freckles. Will they feel they are not normal?
I do not think normal exists. Barbies were made for young girls to use to play with and to dress up. Just like action figures are created for boys to play with. I have never heard of anyone complain about action figures giving young boys the wrong impression.
I feel that as long as children have a positive role model and guidance in their life they will not feel the need to become something they are not. Being different is much better than being 'normal'.
Below is the link to an article about the 'Normal Barbie'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/19/normal-barbie-lammily-doll_n_6146394.html
Yeah I have mixed feelings of this as well. I think barbies should come in all shapes, sizes, and ethnicity. I think adding stretchmarks, freckles, and acne is almost promoting aspects of physical appearance, whether they are good or bad. I don't think children need to be so wrapped up in physical appearance. Maybe focus more on what different sort of careers barbie can have, or culture. Things more to do with a quality of a person and less to do with physical attributes.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie Kohel.
This was an interesting blog, a very good way to look at the idea of normal. It is so hard for anyone to come up with a true definition of normal because we all see things in a different way. Normal for one person may be different due to their cultural background or how they were raised. Good, thought provoking piece!
ReplyDelete-Erik Skaarnes.
Action Figures involve wrestlers and superheros, that all have some form of abnormal muscle formation. Like Cooler and his 12-pac. Quinshaw Gentle
ReplyDelete