Pink For Girls, Blue For Boys
In 2005 when I first established IzziwizziKids.co.uk when my first little boy was 2 years of age, I was determined to change the world. Girls would enjoy toys that empowered and challenged her mentally. Boys would enjoy toys that challenged them without mindless violence. I had it set in my mind that it’s not just about pink for girls and blue for boys. It’s about enjoying the innocence of being a child without all the heavy commercialisation of toys. And I set on my merry way to find exciting toys for kids that benefit kids in so many more ways than the way the world seems to be going…money…gimmicks…money.Then Barbie Arrived
In 2006 my first little girl arrived and in 2008 my second little girl arrived. By 2009 I had what I thought would be one of my worst nightmares of having a girl. Barbie had hit the house big style. Because no matter what my views around what I’d like my kids to play with, when your daughter opens up her birthday present containing her first Barbie and her face lights up, it is just not possible to wrench that away. And the people in your life know it.
Can Barbie Really Do Girls Some Good?
So I had to learn to live with it, but then I realised. Maybe I need to chill a bit. Maybe I wasn’t right to change the world, but maybe I could do something towards it. I may not like the idea of Barbie and everything she stands for “in her Barbie world”, but I have come to realise that she does do some positive things. She has given my daughter an interest in what she wears, she has helped my daughter to develop great fine motor skills as she is constantly dressing and undressing. And she pacifies my feisty son when he picks her up to play with her now and again. And on top of that I realised I was more of a Sindy girl when I grew up and it didn’t do me too much harm.
Barbie Is Socially Advancing Girls – Discuss??
And although she now she sits around the house usually stripped of all her clothes, it does bring a smile to my face when I see action man getting the same treatment in a mini skirt and an off the shoulder number. So albeit Barbie signifies women as having pretty much no brain, she does bring with her some liberated ways thinking.
Thank You Barbie and Oh No Thank You
And I never thought I would say it, but I would like to thank Barbie for her contribution to my daughter in an odd way. And it goes without saying, not thank her for lots of others.
Are You a Barbie Fan? Tell All and Contribute Your Comments Below
I have and always will hate barbie as if people really look like that it encourages children to look at the body and think there thinks wrong with it
Hi Karen. Thanks for your opinions. I can see where you are coming from on this. My daughters don’t seem to see Barbie like this at a young age, but you do wonder how much is going in on a sub-concious level for later in life. Action man lost both his arms tonight to one of my daughters. I’m wondering if deep down she’s already got a thing against him. Do you agree or disagree about Barbie and body image?
Barbie is part of our society, possibly not the best role model for young girls but surely the job of parents is to provide balance. Barbie can provide a useful discussion point around what shape people should be ie not Barbie shaped.
Great point Iain. The shape of Barbie is definately one of heated debate and does give options for lots of open discussion with kids. Any other views on this?