July 28, 2002

I realize my age is showing, but my parents’ generation didn’t have Barbie when they were children, and I suspect most of them never did figure out what little girls saw in an adult fashion doll with an exaggerated hourglass figure. I, on the other hand, can’t figure out how they ever played without Barbies. What kind of adventures can you have with baby and child dolls? Maybe it was the generation. Back then, little girls expected to be wives and mothers when they grew up, so that is what they role-played. But once women entered the work force and discovered they had some value in themselves alone, not just in supporting roles as wives and mothers to other people, there was no turning back, and I think Barbie reflected that changing mindset. Now, I am not knocking marriage and motherhood, and the fact that Mattel keeps coming out with “little sisters” and “baby sisters” for Barbie proves that even Barbie lovers like to be “nurturers.” I am simply trying to explain the appeal of Barbie.

I know my mom did not like Barbie’s figure, even though I doubt she worried the way some parents did that we would feel insecure about our bodies because we would never be able to attain that “ideal.” Come on, kids don’t care about things like that! Little girls just want something to dress in bright, pretty clothes. Older girls just want to have adventures. My favorite Barbies were not the beautiful ones, but the ones I felt were more realistic. I loved my Sweet Sixteen because she had a neutral expression, not a cheesy “model” grin. After all—she was everything from an airline stewardess to a doctor to a cop. Not every situation she encountered called for a smile! I had two Barbies, a Francie, and a Skipper. My sister had two Barbies and a Skipper. We both had assorted non-Barbie fashion dolls. Each had a name and personality that never changed. Even when we swapped dolls on occasion, they remained in character, just operated by a different person. Even last week when I was home I was telling Mom about the dolls, reciting their names and lineage to her. Sadly, although the dolls were well cared for and well loved, they were also much played with, and the wear and tear eventually caught up with them. I played with them with my sister till I was old enough to start feeling foolish. Then I set them up and wrote plays about them till their bodies finally gave out, and I regretfully packed them away.