When I was little, Barbie to me was someone I wanted to be—a plastic toy that I wanted to embody. She was perfect from her shiny, strawberry blonde hair, to her pink attire and plastic pink heels. Oh, and you can’t forget about her Barbie jeep! Barbie has been around since as long as I can remember. Whether it’s a commercial on the television, a billboard, or in the "Toy Story" movies, she’s everywhere. This attractive toy has always been a big hit. Unfortunately, the popularity of the toy has made girls think differently about themselves. It has brought girls to think that they must/have to look just like Barbie: long, perfectly straight hair, huge breasts, a tiny waist, and thin, skinny legs. We all know that’s almost impossible to achieve. Trying to achieve this sort of self-image can lead to eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and more, which, is not the persona Barbie wants to give off as a company.
Recently, Barbie released an ad called Imagine the Possibilities.
This ad has various different scenarios of little girls achieving their goals. Whether they’re a teacher, a veterinarian, a soccer coach, or a businesswoman, they’re all confident and, in general, happy. This is redefining Barbie. These girls have hopes and dreams, and Barbie is showing that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. It is not about looks, or how you dress, or what you own; it’s about you and who you are on the inside. I think that’s what most people forget.
It’s easy to get lost in a world that throws body image in your face. On billboards, ads, computers, magazines, television, your phones… everywhere. It’s easy to want something you can’t have. You want that luxury of feeling pretty and feeling satisfied because that’s what that girl on the front cover of the magazine gets. That is not you for a reason, a good reason. You are you and that will always be special. Anyone could get up and pose in front of a camera, but not everyone could walk a day in your shoes. Everybody has special qualities about themselves, so write that down, keep it in a safe place, and read it when you’re getting down because it will always be true regardless of the obstacles life throws at you. You are brilliant, you are fearless, and you are beautiful, and you can do anything you set your mind to.
Overall, I think that’s what this ad is saying; this is what Barbie is saying. So, next time you're doubting yourself, go watch the Barbie ad and remember, you can be anything and you can do anything. This is why I will always be a Barbie’s girl.
