Gender Role Stereotypes In Ruth Handler's Barbie Doll
The creation of a worldwide icon is bound to be a controversial issue. Ruth Handler created the Barbie Doll in 1959 for her daughter, Barbara, to play with, and it spun into huge proportions. Handler's action of creating Barbie has influenced the way girl's play and children's perceptions of womanhood and femininity. However, some groups believe that these perceptions have been altered for the worse, and have retaliated. There have been consequences such as gender role stereotyping, "Barbie Backlash", and economic consequences.
Before Barbie, little girls were given baby dolls to play with, which socialized them for their future roles as mothers and housekeepers. Theses baby dolls had only one occupation; being a baby. Barbie was a breath …show more content…
Young girls who play with Barbie aspire to be like her, they see it as the pinnacle of femininity, womanhood, and prettiness. Even unconsciously, girls who play with Barbie are dressing her up in pretty clothes, acting out their fantasies with this beautiful character. They will see that this is because Barbie is perfect', and will see it as how they will want to …show more content…
It made a big impact on the American society, young girls and mothers alike. Many consequences occurred, which are seen as positive and negative, dictated by ones race, values, gender and age. Over both short and long periods of time, these consequences can be observed.
A short-term consequence of Barbie is gender role socialization. From a traditionalist mothers perspective, Barbie is not a good role model; she would rather her child idolize the mother and play motherhood games so as to play how her life will be. An American mothers perspective may be that Barbie is a good toy as she shows how woman can be successful and independent, and has a lot of opportunities. Feminists have a negative perspective of Barbie, as they see her as socializing woman into the weaker role, and will stand up for what they believe-that woman are just as strong and responsible as
Before Barbie, little girls were given baby dolls to play with, which socialized them for their future roles as mothers and housekeepers. Theses baby dolls had only one occupation; being a baby. Barbie was a breath …show more content…
Young girls who play with Barbie aspire to be like her, they see it as the pinnacle of femininity, womanhood, and prettiness. Even unconsciously, girls who play with Barbie are dressing her up in pretty clothes, acting out their fantasies with this beautiful character. They will see that this is because Barbie is perfect', and will see it as how they will want to …show more content…
It made a big impact on the American society, young girls and mothers alike. Many consequences occurred, which are seen as positive and negative, dictated by ones race, values, gender and age. Over both short and long periods of time, these consequences can be observed.
A short-term consequence of Barbie is gender role socialization. From a traditionalist mothers perspective, Barbie is not a good role model; she would rather her child idolize the mother and play motherhood games so as to play how her life will be. An American mothers perspective may be that Barbie is a good toy as she shows how woman can be successful and independent, and has a lot of opportunities. Feminists have a negative perspective of Barbie, as they see her as socializing woman into the weaker role, and will stand up for what they believe-that woman are just as strong and responsible as