Hallelujah! It's about time! The makers of Barbie are broadening their horizons. So many children love playing with dolls and dressing them up, but there was always something missing: a doll that actually resembled young girls. Mattel's new Barbie dolls have varying heights, body shapes, hair, skin tones, and eye colors to match the beautiful diversity of our world.
Until now, there was only one doll, the "original" Barbie. A doll that, in human proportions, was 5'9'', had an 18'' waist, and would likely weigh about 110 pounds. Yes, you read that right. For years, this single Barbie doll has been idolized by young girls as the definition of beauty: a tall, thin, woman with heavy makeup, pale skin, and blonde hair. What about petite women? What about curvy women? What about black women? There was no diversity or variety in Barbie, and this had a definite impact on young, developing women.
Barbies have come a long way but still have ways to go. There are a few major body types that Mattel has left out, and the first is plus size.
Yes, there is a curvy doll, but does every plus size woman have the curves of Kim K? For young girls, looking up to a curvy doll's shape may be just as harmful as looking up to the original Barbie. Real women have stomach, arm and leg fat that is not only natural but, to an extent, healthy. No matter what size a woman is, they may not have a large chest and a round bum to flaunt. They make A-cup bras for a reason! With the plastic surgery industry of today, it is certainly possible to get a body like Kim's if you're not born with it, but shouldn't we be teaching young girls to love the skin that they are in?
Another body type that is not represented is athletic girls. There is no Barbie with visible muscles, like abs and biceps, representing the physical strength of women. Looking up to the women of CrossFit and admiring their strength, dedication, and abilities, I am asking for young girls and boys to admire a woman's power as well. No, power is not purely physical, but athleticism and leading a healthy and active lifestyle is something that all kids should be looking up to. Young girls need to understand that being fit and lifting weights does not make you bulky and unattractive. Strength is sexy, and admiring strength is a lot healthier then admiring an unattainable body like that of the original Barbie.
I understand that it is not easy to represent each and every woman of the world, because women come in all shapes and sizes. Yes, the makers of Barbie have taken a step in the right direction when adding different variations in hair, skin tone, and body type, which deserves recognition. Thank you Mattel, for a much-needed baby step to appreciate all women, but let's hope for more to come.