Mattel Redefines What It Means To Be A "Barbie Girl" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Mattel Redefines What It Means To Be A "Barbie Girl"

Powerful over plastic.

101
Mattel Redefines What It Means To Be A "Barbie Girl"

If you look up the definition of the word “Barbie,” this is what you’ll find:


“A doll representing a conventionally attractive young women.” Let’s think about exactly what that means. If applied in the informal sense “conventionally attractive” means “glossily artificial,” or plastic. Although the attractive aspect of a “Barbie” seems to stop at physical appearances because if taken one step further and applied to personality “unintelligent and characterless” seem to go hand in hand with the term. But what would happen if we not only changed the meaning of what it meant for a woman to be “conventionally attractive,” but demonstrated that a strong personality can be just as attractive as physical appearances?


When I played with Barbie dolls as a child, I was always sure to give my dolls a story, a sense of purpose, and most importantly a personality. Of course I loved changing her outfits and playing with her hair, but that was never the sole reason of playing with the doll. I would take my Barbies on playdates with my friends and they gave us the ability to mimic the things that we couldn't do yet in the world around us, whether that be imitating a stay at home mom or an astronaut. I think the long story short is that Barbie dolls have always had held a lot more potential for positively influencing young girls than given credit for. Do I agree that the body image that they display for young girls is unhealthy? Yes, but the difference is that if the focus is shifted from the shallow ideas and stigmas that are wrapped up with the term “Barbie” and readjusted on the doll’s potential to inspire young girls that they can be anything they dream, then we could really get somewhere. And that’s exactly what Mattel intends to do.

Mattel’s latest ad campaign gives a refreshing and uplifting new take on what the doll stands for. The campaign is titled “Imagine the Possibilities” and the first two-minute commercial released does just that. It follows five little girls pursuing careers in five different fields, and it is nothing short of heart-warming. The ad ends with the statement, “You can be anything,” a statement that I believe is so important for little girls to hear, particularly when surrounded by so many other obstacles and pressures. My parents always told me that I could be anything or do anything that I wanted to if I put my mind to it, and now it looks like maybe the rest of the world is ready to tell all little girls the same thing. It may only be a marketing ploy, but Mattel could arguably have one of the largest means of influence over little girls and they are actively redefining what it means for a woman to “conventionally attractive.” When I saw this commercial I first thought, “Little girls will see this and understand that its cool to be yourself and to follow your dreams.” The reality is that there really is no conventionality to attractiveness, we are all unique and we are all free to follow our dreams no matter our age, our race, or our gender.

And so I encourage anyone to watch Mattel’s new Barbie ad below and try not to smile:


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

133217
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31046
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28512
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments