Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has become one of the most popular toys amongst young girls. Per recent studies, conducted by Purdue University, the average American girl between the ages of 3-11 owns ten Barbie dolls. It is said that approximately two dolls are sold every second somewhere in the world (Turkel, 1998). Despite her popularity, Barbie has attracted a lot of criticism about the impact she has on young girls. Though Barbie primarily serves as a toy for children during play, a lot of attention has been generated by her secondary role as an artifact for female representation. Barbie is unlike any other doll; she mimics the female form and functions as a tool for self-imagining. Children absorb messages about body image and identity
…show more content…
She continues to say, “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” Handler got the inspiration for her iconic fashion doll, by watching her daughter Barbra play with her paper dolls. Barbra often used these paper dolls to play adult or teenage make believe. Handler believed that experimenting with the future, through pretend play, was an essential part of a child’s development. During this time, most children’s dolls were representations of infants. Realizing a gap in the market, Handler set out to create a three-dimensional adult-bodied fashion doll. In March of 1959, Handler pitched her idea of an adult-figured doll during the annual American International Toy fair, and on this day Barbie was born. Although some were skeptical at first, Barbie became the one of the fastest selling toys to date. From 180 different careers on her resume, to her fantasy roles and her abundance of accessories- Barbie offers young girls choices and never-ending storytelling
She continues to say, “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” Handler got the inspiration for her iconic fashion doll, by watching her daughter Barbra play with her paper dolls. Barbra often used these paper dolls to play adult or teenage make believe. Handler believed that experimenting with the future, through pretend play, was an essential part of a child’s development. During this time, most children’s dolls were representations of infants. Realizing a gap in the market, Handler set out to create a three-dimensional adult-bodied fashion doll. In March of 1959, Handler pitched her idea of an adult-figured doll during the annual American International Toy fair, and on this day Barbie was born. Although some were skeptical at first, Barbie became the one of the fastest selling toys to date. From 180 different careers on her resume, to her fantasy roles and her abundance of accessories- Barbie offers young girls choices and never-ending storytelling