Barbie Doll Gender Stereotypes

Most of the girl toys in stores have certain characteristics. These roles portray femininity, beauty, and certain gender roles. One of the most popular toy companies for girls all over the world is Barbie. She has offered young girls dolls, dollhouses, and the accessories that goes with them since 1959. Barbie has been very influential to young girls, affecting how they dress and even act. Unfortunately, the controversy that surrounds Barbie has begun to grasp attention through social media and network television. Many believe that these dolls promote an unrealistic body image to the young women who own them. Some individuals take it to an extreme and develop “Barbie Syndrome”, causing them to change their physical appearance in order to resemble that body. This includes many having plastic surgery to get the “ideal” body. Other toys that hold the standard gender roles in place are the easy bake oven and baby dolls. The oven is often sold in a pink color, which primarily appeals to young girls. This toy promotes learning to cook, and may inadvertently inscribe how young females should except that she is in a society that women should always be in the kitchen making food. I think that is where the phrase, “cool story babe, now go make me a sandwich” originated from. There are various types …show more content…
Out of all of these the one I enjoyed the most was the baby doll. It gave me in my mind a sense of responsibility of taking care of something other than myself. I can remember vividly the very last doll I had ever received, I was nine and my grandma told me, “Now you’re too old to play with dolls and baby stuff.” At the time I didn’t understand why she said that but I soon found out that along with gendered toys there are age stipulations as well. In society, a child is either too young or too old for a certain product and at times is forced to grow up way to fast then they may be ready