Barbie Then and Now
Barbie was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler. Barbie was created to inspire little girls to think about what they wanted to be with they grew up. Handler liked the idea of a doll who was a working girl and wasn't above using men to get what she wanted. The evolution of Barbie’s “no man policy” has all but diminished.
In 2004, Ken and Barbie were advertised as "broken up" after a 43 year relationship that started in 1961. Just two years later there was new advertisement of Ken trying to win Barbie back after his "makeover", but Barbie was still seeing another guy, Blaine the Australian surfer. On February 14th 2010, there was an article published in the USA Today reporting that Barbie and Ken are "officially back together" and would be celebrating just in time for Valentines day. Advertisers use this fake relationship to attract young girls even more and draw them into this idea that Barbie is "real". Many of times, Barbie has been marketed as only having the need to look good for a man. For example, many of Barbie's outfits are advertising as, “Ken will love this (very provocative, black) dress (lingerie, and fill in the blank)!". Barbie has been portrayed as being so real that she even has her own Facebook and fans can follow her on Twitter. This is creating girls to want to be just like her even more.
In 2004, Ken and Barbie were advertised as "broken up" after a 43 year relationship that started in 1961. Just two years later there was new advertisement of Ken trying to win Barbie back after his "makeover", but Barbie was still seeing another guy, Blaine the Australian surfer. On February 14th 2010, there was an article published in the USA Today reporting that Barbie and Ken are "officially back together" and would be celebrating just in time for Valentines day. Advertisers use this fake relationship to attract young girls even more and draw them into this idea that Barbie is "real". Many of times, Barbie has been marketed as only having the need to look good for a man. For example, many of Barbie's outfits are advertising as, “Ken will love this (very provocative, black) dress (lingerie, and fill in the blank)!". Barbie has been portrayed as being so real that she even has her own Facebook and fans can follow her on Twitter. This is creating girls to want to be just like her even more.
Slippery Slope to the Bottom
Barbies were originally created to promote a working woman who was independent and knew what she wanted in life. So how did Barbie become the "sexy" icon she is today? Maybe it is linked to the fact that these sexy trends are promoted by a $1.7 billion Barbie industry who are following behind the trend of our media that sexualizes women at a very early age. Little girls look up to Barbie as a role model. When Barbie reflects the way both adult and young actresses are dressing, girls want to quickly go out and buy clothes that resemble that look. Advertisers know this, therefore many "skimpy" outfits you can find Barbie wearing, you can also find at department stores for kids and teenagers. With the new Lingerie Barbie, children are being exposed to the sexualization of dolls at an even younger age. During prime time Television, kids can see ads for Victoria's Secret and start to make the connection that Barbie, their role model, looks very similar to these "sexy" women on TV. This can cause little girls to want to also be considered "hot" and "sexy". This concept can be very harmful for young girls because they are not prepared to be able to form their own opinions on healthy sexual behavior. Young girls will continue to take drastic measures in order to resemble this iconic image that the media and advertisers are constantly promoting.