I know, I know, my title is a little strange. But hear me out before you start writing me off as a crazy-reverted-back-to-the-childhood-I-never-had sob story or something.
I'll start off by saying that I love Barbie dolls. I grew up having a huge wooden house for them in my room that my dad made for me, and was always asking people to "play barbies" with me. It fostered creativity, imagination, and social skills in young me that I think all girls should have. But I'm not here to talk about how you should go out and buy every 5-year-old you know one of these plastic dolls dressed in pink. I'm here to say that you, you, should go out and by yourself one of these dolls.
The Barbie Empire of Mattel recently launched a campaign of "entrepreneur barbie" with the slogan #unapologetic. Essentially, it's highlighting all of Barbie's many careers in the 50+ years she's been around, and showing girls that you can be a strong, independent, do-whatever-job you dream of girl, and still look stylish in pink while doing it. With all the attention on Always's "like a girl campaign" and the fact that there is STILL discrimination out in the workforce and the world, I think the campaign is genius. Barbie is showing that you can do whatever you want, still be a girl, and never have to apologize about it.
The thing I love so much about this campaign is it's pushing girls to be productive, creative, true to themselves, and ambitious. It's still a sad fact that women hold only 4.8% of Fortune 500 CEO titles, and only 5% of Fortune 1000 CEO titles. But this Barbie is trying to change that, and she's starting by celebrating the women CEO's we do have; she's "visited" the offices of RenttheRunway, Lilly Pulitzer, and even stopped by LinkedIn's headquarters. You can even "follow barbie" on her visits on her Instagram (appropriately named @barbie).
The crazy thing about all of this is that there has been criticism of the campaign. That's right, I didn't type
support. I typed
criticism. People are saying that she's still an unattainable figure, dresses too stylish, teeth too white. And, that, I think, is crap. Critics are saying her looks defeat the purpose of her ideas, such as in this one article from
The Guardian online, write Jo Davies it states:
. "But tell me, how many true entrepreneurial women are supermodel thin, have luscious locks, pearly white teeth and pert boobs as well as a brain and a successful career? Because the problem with Barbie is no matter what she's doing, the thing she's really telling young girls is that you can be anything, as long as you look good first."
By saying that girls that are attractive can't be entrepreneurs is just as bad as your argument against Barbie. That's fostering discrimination, in any type. The whole campaign isn't focusing on Barbie's looks- it's focusing on her achievements and empowering, yet every critic I've seen so far is focusing on the looks- of. a. doll. Her purpose isn't to represent the ever-changing average size of America. It's supposed to be an easy-to-dress and play with... doll. What child is going to buy a doll (which, has a sole purpose of dressing up and playing with) that doesn't have attractive clothing? (And really, is there something wrong with using $10 teeth whitening strips?)
I was an engineering major for 5 semesters in college, and I am blonde, thin, and wear pink a lot. The comments I got and the discrimination I received from teachers and peers alike on how I "must have failed that test," or "there's no way you're studying engineering" were incredibly disheartening. I was constantly questioned on my choices, entirely because of my looks.
The other major thing people missing is that these stereotypes are adult stereotypes. I had barbies of all different races and "careers" as a kid, and I never once stereotyped or compared my 5-year-old self to them. Of course my friends and I didn't look like Barbie- she was an adult, we were 5. And when we got old enough to be Barbie's "age", I was smart enough to know that I wasn't supposed to compare myself to a 12 inch plastic doll that you bought at Walmart.
If anything, Barbie is telling you that you can look good and be successful. So many girls are turned off by the idea that they can't be feminine and still powerful and strong, and I think Barbie, in her office-appropriate dress (albeit pink), ponytail, and classic jewelry, is showing just the opposite. She's embracing her femininity, and also embracing her intelligence. In addition, looks do matter in the business world. It's not just a coincidence that every male in your office wears a suit. It's called a dress code.
Although no longer an engineering major, I'm studying Information Technology, a still widely male-dominated field where discrimination exists. And yes, even with the ever-constant all-nighter, I still take 5 minutes to throw on a little make-up before class, and maybe even a pink blouse. I do it because it's important to me, and that's just me. I know plenty of girls that would do the same, and plenty of girls that would not. There's nothing wrong with either choice.
Entrepreneur Barbie is perfect, and perfect for the market it's intended for- young girls that play with dolls. That most likely like pink. That most likely will be discriminated against if they choose STEM majors, just like every other girl. And that will be just as successful as their peers, even in heels.
And yes, Barbie does come in other races (Hispanic, African American, Asian shown above).
What other toy out there can do that?
**And yes, I am purchasing one. For myself.
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