Sexualization of females in media & impact on our girls

And now to be a contrarian...

Yes, these things are concerning to me as a parent but I refuse to be afraid of raising three daughters. :soapbox:

This article worked and is, IMO, a good example of a fear-generating media. They even managed to work in Jon-Benet at the end!

This is lost in the middle:

The report called on parents to take a more active roll in helping to shape the sexual self-image of their children, and to exert consumer pressure on manufacturers and advertisers.

My oldest is only 6 but from observing parents with older kids and kids at school, this the solution (and how sad that it needs to be advised?).

[PrincessFiona]

........running back to childless corner again...........

:>


I had a barbie everything and so I hear where you are coming from. I think it's more than just barbie...but barbie (for example) did teach us as girls what an ideal woman was supposed to look like. Heck...why don't they have size 14 barbie or stretch marks barbie :> or my boobs sag to my knees barbie :>

Here's a look at the bratz



or



Honestly, I see bratz as an evolution of the barbie...they reflect where society is at right now.

kris

[Momo]

The barbies don't cause the eating disorder they reinforce an image that can imprint on a child...all kids? No, but some...uh yes... as far as barbie being a piece of plastic look at how many media driven "role models" are actually becoming plastic themselves these days.
Do the Barbies look like Paris, Lindsey, Brittany, Christina and Hillary or do these young women look like the dolls?

Long legs, tiny waist, perfectly perky boobs...I played w/ Barbies and I noticed this about her, and thought she was sooo pretty!

Did I develope an eating disorder because of barbie? No! It was multi factorial...but she does look like the unhealthy / unrealistic proportions I wanted to achieve later in life when I did have a problem, did this imprint on me? Possibly. As far as parenting me/ most children, a parent can only know about what their kids will share w/ them.
I talked w/ mine a lot growing up, but they never knew about my image issues...so we can only hope and pray to know enough about our kids to be able to help them, but no matter how much parental responsibility you exercise there can always be issues that will go undetected...

PS I am sure a million responses have been posted since Stellas w/ the barbie pic...that's when I started this response and again beacuse my computer sucks right now ...it is just now posting ...so i'll bow out and just read from here on out!

[diggitydot]

Heck...why don't they have size 14 barbie or stretch marks barbie :> or my boobs sag to my knees barbie :>

This reminds me of an email a friend sent to us. We're from the NW and it goes on to talk about "Seattle Barbie", "Laurelhurst Barbie", "Tacoma Barbie", etc. It's pretty funny...

DO YOU RECOGNIZE any of these little dolls?

Laurelhurst Barbie: Available with a Volvo XC70, a Kate Spade handbag and Nike Sweatsuit. Her ponytail is pulled through the back of her baseball hat. She is very active on Juniors PTA and is fierce at school fund-raising auctions. Beware, you do not want to bid against her!

Comes with Double-tall soy latte with a splash of hazelnut, Xanax and Patagonia foul-weather gear. Optional accessories include either a black or yellow lab with tennis ball chucker.

Available at University Village.


Seattle Barbie: This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with a Mercedes 4WD SUV, a Prada handbag and matching Nike Yoga ensemble. She has a masters degree and double-majored, but has the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom with Ken's generous salary.

Comes with Percocet prescription and Botox. Starbucks mug and traffic-jamming Blackberry internet/cell phone device sold separately. Husband Ken is into fishing, golfing, baseball and is often "working" late.

Available at all Seattle-area Starbucks retailers.


Bellevue Barbie: This princess Barbie is only sold at Nordstrom. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2 and a longhaired foreign lapdog named "Honey". Available with or without tummy tuck, facelift, and breast augmentation

Also available is her cookie-cutter development dream house.

Workaholic, cheating husband, Ken, comes with a Porsche.


Tacoma Barbie: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, switchblade, '78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth lab kit. Available only after dark this model can only be purchased with cash - preferably small bills, unless you're a cop, then we don't know what you're talking about.

Boyfriend Ken is in jail.

Available at many pawn shops.


Everett Barbie: This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with a pair of high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer Gut Ken out of Monroe Barbie's trailer. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry lip gloss and a see-through halter top.

Purchase her Mustang convertible separately and get a Confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

Boyfriend Ken is in treatment.

Available at Army Navy Surplus.


Monroe Barbie: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans 2 sizes too small, steel-toed cowboy boots, a classic Metallica 'T' shirt and a Tweedy Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has fake fingernails, a six pack of Budweiser, and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set.

She can spit over a distance of 6 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk.

Also available is the gold-toned cubic zirconium ring that Ken gave her after another one of his "episodes" with his boss's daughter.

Comes with Barbie's Dream Double Wide Trailer.

Available at Fred Meyer.


Sultan Barbie: Pregnant at purchase, this Barbie comes with a stroller and bus pass. Also included is a G.E.D. and a completely filled out PFD form.

Construction worker Ken and his '82 Caddy are optional.

Available at Red Apple.


Bellingham Barbie: This Barbie is made out of recycled plastic and tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no make-up, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She does not want, or need, a Ken doll.

If you purchase the optional Subaru wagon, you will receive a free rainbow flag sticker.

Available at REI.


Olympia Barbie: This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or removing snap on parts. Walks to work. Likes to "experiment", but will never commit.

This model is being phased out and is only available from the manufacturer.

Yes, I know... I have issues with my "humor"...no need to flame, I know. But those of you from the NW may appreciate this...

[Momo]

This reminds me of an email a friend sent to us. We're from the NW and it goes on to talk about "Seattle Barbie", "Laurelhurst Barbie", "Tacoma Barbie", etc. It's pretty funny...

DO YOU RECOGNIZE any of these little dolls?

Laurelhurst Barbie: Available with a Volvo XC70, a Kate Spade handbag and Nike Sweatsuit. Her ponytail is pulled through the back of her baseball hat. She is very active on Juniors PTA and is fierce at school fund-raising auctions. Beware, you do not want to bid against her!

Comes with Double-tall soy latte with a splash of hazelnut, Xanax and Patagonia foul-weather gear. Optional accessories include either a black or yellow lab with tennis ball chucker.

Available at University Village.


Seattle Barbie: This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with a Mercedes 4WD SUV, a Prada handbag and matching Nike Yoga ensemble. She has a masters degree and double-majored, but has the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom with Ken's generous salary.

Comes with Percocet prescription and Botox. Starbucks mug and traffic-jamming Blackberry internet/cell phone device sold separately. Husband Ken is into fishing, golfing, baseball and is often "working" late.

Available at all Seattle-area Starbucks retailers.


Bellevue Barbie: This princess Barbie is only sold at Nordstrom. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2 and a longhaired foreign lapdog named "Honey". Available with or without tummy tuck, facelift, and breast augmentation

Also available is her cookie-cutter development dream house.

Workaholic, cheating husband, Ken, comes with a Porsche.


Tacoma Barbie: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, switchblade, '78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth lab kit. Available only after dark this model can only be purchased with cash - preferably small bills, unless you're a cop, then we don't know what you're talking about.

Boyfriend Ken is in jail.

Available at many pawn shops.


Everett Barbie: This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with a pair of high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer Gut Ken out of Monroe Barbie's trailer. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry lip gloss and a see-through halter top.

Purchase her Mustang convertible separately and get a Confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

Boyfriend Ken is in treatment.

Available at Army Navy Surplus.


Monroe Barbie: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans 2 sizes too small, steel-toed cowboy boots, a classic Metallica 'T' shirt and a Tweedy Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has fake fingernails, a six pack of Budweiser, and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set.

She can spit over a distance of 6 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk.

Also available is the gold-toned cubic zirconium ring that Ken gave her after another one of his "episodes" with his boss's daughter.

Comes with Barbie's Dream Double Wide Trailer.

Available at Fred Meyer.


Sultan Barbie: Pregnant at purchase, this Barbie comes with a stroller and bus pass. Also included is a G.E.D. and a completely filled out PFD form.

Construction worker Ken and his '82 Caddy are optional.

Available at Red Apple.


Bellingham Barbie: This Barbie is made out of recycled plastic and tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no make-up, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She does not want, or need, a Ken doll.

If you purchase the optional Subaru wagon, you will receive a free rainbow flag sticker.

Available at REI.


Olympia Barbie: This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or removing snap on parts. Walks to work. Likes to "experiment", but will never commit.

This model is being phased out and is only available from the manufacturer.

Yes, I know... I have issues with my "humor"...no need to flame, I know. But those of you from the NW may appreciate this...

The same thing was sent to me about The Indianapolis area & it's surrounding communities. I used to live there.

[rainbabies]

how about GIJoe for boys?? dh is against that for our ds. even tho dh had GIJoes growing up. we also dont believe in having toy guns in the house or swords.

dd only has one barbie, a gift...something she calls her baby. she also refers to barbies boobies all the time.

i hate shopping for girl clothes. everything is belly barring and low rise. half the time both dd's wear boy jeans. plain and simple jeans...no frills...and they still look cute.

[Rapunzel]

The barbies don't cause the eating disorder they reinforce an image that can imprint on a child...all kids? No, but some...uh yes... as far as barbie being a piece of plastic look at how many media driven "role models" are actually becoming plastic themselves these days.
Do the Barbies look like Paris, Lindsey, Brittany, Christina and Hillary or do these young women look like the dolls?

Long legs, tiny waist, perfectly perky boobs...I played w/ Barbies and I noticed this about her, and thought she was sooo pretty!

Did I develope an eating disorder because of barbie? No! It was multi factorial...but she does look like the unhealthy / unrealistic proportions I wanted to achieve later in life when I did have a problem, did this imprint on me? Possibly. As far as parenting me, parents can only know about their kids what their kids will share...I talked w/ mine a lot growing up, but my they never knew about my image issues...so we can only hope and pray to know enough about our kids to be able to help them, but no matter how much you take parental responsibility there can always be issues that will go undetected...

PS I am sure a million responses have been posted since Stellas w/ the barbie pic...that's when I started this response and again beacuse my computer sucks right now ...it is just now posting ...so i'll bow out and just read from here on out!

That is a good explanation and I can't add to it.

[Rapunzel]

We also don't have toy guns in the house.

Why?

Because we have REAL guns in the house and my kids darn well know that they ARE NOT toys, are scary, and they can kill (which means the person is gone and not coming back - ever).

Toy guns were something my dad (Mr. Avid Gun Collector) hated - because he believed (as do I) that they taught disrespect for a dangerous weapon and confused children as to what was a toy and what was harmful.

EDIT: Peter and Ladybug - I think your deeper take on the subject is intriguing and, perhaps, spot on.

[Vishenka69]

Since I don't have kids either, I agree with the rest of the childless corner. I really don't think toys and the media are solely responsible for girls self-image or eating disorders. I do think parents have a lot to do with it too. I think the media has more effect on my mom than me. She's been telling me I need to work on my weight problem ever since I hit size 6. She's totally flipping out now that I'm an 8. My reaction of :huh: is flipping her out even more.

[rainbabies]

Because we have REAL guns in the house and my kids darn well know that they ARE NOT toys, are scary, and they can kill (which means the person is gone and not coming back - ever).

ditto.

[Rapunzel]

I was thinking about this after I logged off and remembered there was something good my mom accomplished with our Barbies:

We would get Barbies for Christmas and our birthdays. About 30% of the time my sister and I got Barbies that were NOT white. In fact, my mom ended up purchasing almost EVERY single Barbie that came out that wasn't white. She thought it was a good idea for us to have toys that weren't all Anglo-Saxon in appearance.

AND, when the foreign country style Barbies started coming out that's pretty much all we got - I had Barbies from every continent practically - Peruvian Barbie, Indian Barbie, Swiss Barbie, Japanese Barbie, Chinese Barbie, etc. (on top of the decidedly non-white "normal" Barbies we already had).

THAT part of having those dolls I loved.

Unfortunately, however, playing with something generally reinforces certain views on the world. So, while maybe this contributed to an increased appreciation for various skin colors, eye shapes, etc. it did reinforce that the ideal woman has a tiny waist, boobs larger than her butt, legs so long you can't tie your own shoes, etc.

I acknowledge the good things my toys taught me - I am also able to acknowledge the bad things they taught me.

The fact is that everything we encounter in life influences us. It may influence us for good - or for bad. But, it's incorrect to say that toys do not influence children or their ideas about themselves and the world.

[Stella]

Barbies also had hinges for hips and no vagina. Should we add that too?

[pstone]

Perhaps the real thing we should talk about is not why it is this way, or how it got this way, or if we can change it (to much momentum in my book) but what to do now.

We better own it, and quickly, or lose even more innocent children. Boys suffer just a much.

Really, I doubt it will change so we better make up a new myth to deal with it.

[PrincessFiona]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02263.html
This is a GREAT article called "goodbye to girlhood"

kris

[Rapunzel]

Barbies also had hinges for hips and no vagina. Should we add that too?

Well, actually, that kind of goes to my point:

Barbies are stylized. All dolls are stylized to a certain extent. Their design emphasizes certain things and diminishes others. (And, I've never seen a child's doll that included sexual organs, btw).

And, that's fine -

But, we must ask ourselves in what style are they formed?

With Barbies they are formed to be unrealistically and exaggeratedly sexual - super-large breasts, tiny waist and hips, unnaturally long legs. Important things like, oh, hands and feet are miniscule.

I read an article years ago that Mattel was going to start changing the design of Barbie to make her a bit more realistic. Supposedly they were going to, among other things, tone down the boobs a bit. Even the doll manufacturer recognized the outlandish proportions of the doll.

And, as I said, all things we come into contact with influence us - as children and as adults. Some of those influences will be for the good and some for the bad. In the case of dolls girls are influenced by how their dolls look.

I'll have to dig up the study on non-white girls and their views of beauty if they only had white dolls.... Give me a day or so to find it.