A lot of people criticize Barbie by saying that she’s vain and teaches girls to base too much value on outer appearances. Her body has been ridiculed mercilessly, and her recent fashion choices of halter tops and miniskirts have been met with much distain. However, she is still Barbie. Granted she’s too perfect for reality, but what fun is it to play with something average. She inspires girls to out into the world and achieve their dreams. Not to merely settle for the mundane. Barbie, to me, symbolizes all of the possibilities I had when I was a little girl playing with her. I wanted to be just like her, being a surgeon and an astronaut. Even in outer space, not a hair on Barbie’s platinum blond head fell out of place. She was, and still is, perfect.
Barbie gives girls everywhere the opportunity to use their imagination, which is a dying trend among our youngsters. Some parents complain that Barbie makes them grow-up too soon, by introducing thoughts of how important body image is at such a young age. However, I believe that the experience to create stories (like I did when I was little) using that gorgeous plastic toy and her stylish friends outweighs the negative effects that concern many. Just like watching television, children need to learn to differentiate make-believe from reality. I had at least a hundred Barbie’s and yet I never once starved myself or donned ultra-minis. My parents were quick to tell me that what was okay for Barbie was not necessarily
