Barbie dolls are as American as apple pie and as controversial as politics.

Recently, people have become very angry about Barbie and I want to know why. I understand that Barbie's body is unrealistic and I understand that that is harmful, believe me, I do.

Mattel is working on making her more realistic looking and they are coming out with dolls that look like everyone and not just tall, skinny, blondes. That's amazing.

I don't want to focus on that though. I want to talk about how Barbie is an amazing role model and we don't talk about it. Barbie has been around for 50 years and she has held over 130 careers during that time. Barbie proves that girls CAN DO ANYTHING.

Barbie has been a doctor, a veterinarian, an astronaut, a scientist, a teacher, a football coach, in the military and a medic, a police officer, a pilot, a NASCAR driver, an athlete, a chef, a reporter, a CEO, and a superhero.

Barbie is influential to young girls in a good way, too.

Nearly every young girl in our country owns at least one Barbie and they see her doing all types of careers. She works in STEM fields and other predominately male fields as well as female-dominated fields. Commercials show little girls playing with boss Barbie and that means that they are learning that they, too can grow up and change the world.

Barbies are a great way for parents to talk to their little girls and say that they can be beautiful and smart. Many of Barbie's careers require lots of education and extensive training and if Barbie can do it, so can everyone else.

Barbie also proves that you can have more than one passion. Barbie changes her career all the time and that's okay! Barbie is also a mother and that shows that women can be moms and have a career and that's important for young girls to know.

I'm tired of everyone saying that Barbie is a horrible influence on young girls because she isn't!

Barbie's measurements are bad, but her brain is huge and her heart is gold.