For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my weight. I was never happy with my size, and always tried to achieve the unattainable. I thought that having a body with a thigh gap and a bikini bridge would give me the happiness I lacked. In reality, obsessing over my weight made me feel even more miserable than before. This small insecurity quickly worsened and eventually I found myself avoiding the things I loved, like going to the beach or eating at my favorite restaurant.
Unfortunately, my struggle is not unique. Women (and men) across the country experience what I went through on a daily basis. Hating your body or constantly wishing you looked differently has become the new normal. But, when did this happen? When did we become so self-conscious and uncomfortable in our own skin? We instantaneously point the finger of blame at social media platforms, like Instagram, or sexist advertisements, but I think this problem started even earlier than those.
Manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. Barbie dolls have been around since 1959. It is only now that they’ve realized what an impact they’ve had on young girls across the globe. There’s an ongoing argument about whether or not children even pay attention to Barbie’s weight, hair, eyes and skin color. I can’t speak for everyone when I say this, but I remember looking at Barbie dolls and noticing their legs in particular. Of course, I did not notice the color of their skin because it was the same as mine, but if it wasn’t, I know I would ask “why?”
We often forget how attentive young children actually are. We don’t think that they remember the words we say, or our actions, but they do. Everything leaves an imprint on them, especially toys as famous as Barbie. Mattel, the maker of Barbie, is now introducing a brand new line of Barbie dolls that will revolutionize the toy industry. They have been working towards changing the face of the brand for a while now. Last year, they came out with 23 new dolls that had different skin tones and hair colors. However, the new dolls did not address the issues affiliated with Barbie’s unrealistic body shape.
This new line of dolls does; the new Barbie dolls now come in three body types, such as tall, petite and curvy. This change does a much better job at reflecting the diversity of the children playing with them. It acknowledges that not all women will look the same, and helps us start to accept and love our bodies for what they are. Negative body image affects everyone at some point in their life, but there is no reason that young girls should have to grow up with these standards.
By recreating their line of Barbie dolls, Mattel is finally acknowledging the fact that we are all different and reinforcing the message we should be telling ourselves regularly: your differences make you beautiful. Be proud of yourself, not ashamed.
