Barbie Dolls and Bratz - Which Is More Progressive?
Alexandra Wilson
Dr. Andrea Austin
EN460f – Seminar Paper
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Barbie and the Notion of Progression Since the emergence of the Barbie doll in 1959, Barbie has been a populous choice among young children, and more specifically young girls because of its monopolization of the toy market. Barbie is a doll that has been outwardly controversial and debated upon for years and most likely will be for many years to come. The idea of the Barbie doll is a toy for which young girls model themselves after and aspire to be like when they mature and grow up. DuCille states, “more than simple instruments of pleasure and amusement, toys and games play crucial roles in helping children determine what is valuable in and around them. Dolls in particular invite children to replicate them, to imagine themselves in their dolls’ images” (268). In terms of the occupations that Barbie holds, they have become much more progressive since the time of second wave feminism. Now, within the third wave time period Barbie’s occupations have expanded and have entered the men’s work domain. In comparison to other young girls’ toys and the occupations that they embrace, Barbie represents progressive and forward thinking jobs for young women. When comparing Barbie to her counterpart, Bratz dolls, it becomes apparent as to who is the more transgressive doll. Bratz dolls do not hold many job titles; in fact the only occupation in their name is to a pop star. So, comparatively, Barbie is more progressive in the message she sends out to young girls than her counterpart Bratz dolls in the career department. However, when Barbie stands alone, with no one to compare her with, is she still progressive in nature? Should parents be allowing their children to play with a toy, which may be progressive when linking her with Bratz dolls, but when she is not being compared, she falls much into the regressive realm that Bratz dolls do? This paper will assess the progression Barbie has
Dr. Andrea Austin
EN460f – Seminar Paper
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Barbie and the Notion of Progression Since the emergence of the Barbie doll in 1959, Barbie has been a populous choice among young children, and more specifically young girls because of its monopolization of the toy market. Barbie is a doll that has been outwardly controversial and debated upon for years and most likely will be for many years to come. The idea of the Barbie doll is a toy for which young girls model themselves after and aspire to be like when they mature and grow up. DuCille states, “more than simple instruments of pleasure and amusement, toys and games play crucial roles in helping children determine what is valuable in and around them. Dolls in particular invite children to replicate them, to imagine themselves in their dolls’ images” (268). In terms of the occupations that Barbie holds, they have become much more progressive since the time of second wave feminism. Now, within the third wave time period Barbie’s occupations have expanded and have entered the men’s work domain. In comparison to other young girls’ toys and the occupations that they embrace, Barbie represents progressive and forward thinking jobs for young women. When comparing Barbie to her counterpart, Bratz dolls, it becomes apparent as to who is the more transgressive doll. Bratz dolls do not hold many job titles; in fact the only occupation in their name is to a pop star. So, comparatively, Barbie is more progressive in the message she sends out to young girls than her counterpart Bratz dolls in the career department. However, when Barbie stands alone, with no one to compare her with, is she still progressive in nature? Should parents be allowing their children to play with a toy, which may be progressive when linking her with Bratz dolls, but when she is not being compared, she falls much into the regressive realm that Bratz dolls do? This paper will assess the progression Barbie has
Cited: "Barbie." Barbie. Mattel Inc., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.barbiemedia.com/>. DuCille, Ann. “Dyes and Dolls: Multicultural Barbie and the Merchandising of Difference,” [from Shiach, Feminism and Cultural Studies] Fischer, Kathryn. "On Barbie, Guns, and Control." Off Our Backs 36.2 (2006): 58-61. Proquest. Web. 09 Nov. 2012 "The White House Project." The White House Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://thewhitehouseproject.org/>.