Dolls-and-All

Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of Barbie. A celebration of a half-century of obsession among young girls with a size of pencil, wasp-waisted, pointy-doll breasts. It is estimated that over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries since the doll was first introduced in 1959.

Mattel, maker of Barbie, claim three Barbies are sold every second.

In 50 years on the planet, Barbie has had 100 different professions, had over 40 pets including cats, dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub and a zebra and 73 acres of clothes, furniture and other equipment and assessories.

Barbie is primarily a fashion statement (and still is, mostly), but with the feminist movement, she became a career woman. Doctor, cowgirl, astronaut, soldier, politician are just a few. In 1994, winter sports Barbie was introduced, with skis, Poles, and of course, dressed in ski clothing designer. In 1998, NASCAR Barbie started racing cars, followed by WNBA Barbie and the World Cup Barbie. Ultimate Women's Soccer player Mia Hamm was selected as the Soccer Barbie. It was short-lived trend.

Yet a moment it looked like Barbie could join the ranks of real women, rather than keeping cons Figure nature is born (adult) with 50 years ago … 5 feet-11 tall, 18 inches and 33 inches the size of the hips. When Barbie Mattel redesigned in 1974, she received a slightly larger size, but still has legs far.

Child experts have criticized Barbie as a bad influence on young girls. They said it falls in (or leads may be) the stereotype of the skinny-is-beautiful ideal that has been imposed on a credulous public by designers of clothing, Madison Avenue and the media. Ads for almost everything from clothes to cars to cosmetics feature reeds, cheeks sunken wrecks.

Rather than rebel outrage or laugh out loud at the utter absurdity, many girls and women conclude that they are far from ideal. Some consider themselves too fat Barbie dolls. They look in the mirror and they see it as a mirror image of something … inaccurate and distorted. This dissatisfaction and distortion can lead to eating disorders.

Women who participate in sports or are physically active are less likely to buy the hype. They see their bodies in healthier ways. The mirror reveals curves and muscles, strong shoulders and a straight, proud posture of an organization willing to work and play.

Where are the dolls physically active future that girls can emulate? Dolls that come with the skates, bicycles and water skis. They may have a range of sports accessories in fashion, hair can be braided or pulled in a pony tail or combed for the party after the game and come with tennis rackets, volleyball and hockey sticks. Assessories others could be headbands, sports and sox ace bandages.

Until Barbie up forms, fills and joins the softball team, perhaps it should be launched in the field. Happy Birthday, Barbie. Now, go away.

About the Author:

Journalist, publisher, author Penny Hastings lives in Santa Rosa, Author Bio: Penny Hastings is the co-author (along with her son Todd Caven) of How To Win A Sports Scholarship, 3rd edition (Redwood Creek Publishing, 2007, 192 pages, $24.95), a step-by-step guide for high school and 2-year college student-athletes who want to play their sport in college and help pay their college expenses, too. Hastings gives presentations and workshops to student-athletes and their parents, guidance counselors, coaches and others interested in helping kids learn about college sports and how to play the recruiting game successfully. Hastings can be reached at
penny@winasportsscholarship.com
or visit the website:
www.winasportsscholarship.com.
Hastings is also the author of Sports For Her, A Reference Guide for Teenage Girls (Greenwood Publishing, 1999), which is currently being revised for a softcover 2nd edition by Redwood Creek Publishing
http://www.winasportsscholarship.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Happy Birthday, Barbie. Now Go Away!

PSA: Barbies