Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Barbie Popularity
Barbie's popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. The criticisms leveled at her are often based on the assumption that children consider Barbie a role model and will attempt to emulate her.
* In September 2003 the Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls, saying that she did not conform to the ideals of Islam. The Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated "Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful."[9] In Middle Eastern countries there is an alternative doll called Fulla which is similar to Barbie but is designed to be more acceptable to an Islamic market. Fulla is not made by the Mattel Corporation, and Barbie is still available in other Middle Eastern countries including Egypt.[10] In Iran, Sara and Dara dolls are available as an alternative to Barbie.[11]
* The word Barbie has come to be used as a derogatory slang term for a girl or woman who is considered shallow, most notably in the 1997 pop song Barbie Girl (see Parodies and lawsuits below).
* In July 1992 Mattel released Teen Talk Barbie, which spoke a number of phrases including "Will we ever have enough clothes?", "I love shopping!", and "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so that no two dolls were likely to be the same. One of these 270 phrases was "Math class is tough!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it led to criticism from the American Association of University Women. In October 1992 Mattel announced that Teen Talk Barbie would no longer say the phrase, and offered a swap to anyone who owned the doll.[12]
* In September 2003 the Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls, saying that she did not conform to the ideals of Islam. The Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated "Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful."[9] In Middle Eastern countries there is an alternative doll called Fulla which is similar to Barbie but is designed to be more acceptable to an Islamic market. Fulla is not made by the Mattel Corporation, and Barbie is still available in other Middle Eastern countries including Egypt.[10] In Iran, Sara and Dara dolls are available as an alternative to Barbie.[11]
* The word Barbie has come to be used as a derogatory slang term for a girl or woman who is considered shallow, most notably in the 1997 pop song Barbie Girl (see Parodies and lawsuits below).
* In July 1992 Mattel released Teen Talk Barbie, which spoke a number of phrases including "Will we ever have enough clothes?", "I love shopping!", and "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so that no two dolls were likely to be the same. One of these 270 phrases was "Math class is tough!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it led to criticism from the American Association of University Women. In October 1992 Mattel announced that Teen Talk Barbie would no longer say the phrase, and offered a swap to anyone who owned the doll.[12]
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler (1916-2002) is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. The doll was named for her daughter.
Early in Barbie's career, a biography was created around her through a series of novels. She was christened Barbara Millicent Roberts with Willows, Wisconsin her home town. Barbie's steady boyfriend Ken Carson was introduced as a doll in 1961 with an extensive wardrobe. Other companions and family members were introduced over the years. Barbie has had pets, vehicles, houses, and even a theater.
Barbie has encountered criticisms, controversies, parodies, and lawsuits during her tenure as the world's leading fashion doll. Many criticisms and controversies are based on the assumption that children view her as a role model and will attempt to emulate what some preceive as a shallow lifestyle and an unrealistic body image.
Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for nearly fifty years, and is viewed by some as a cultural icon. She has been the subject of art by Andy Warhol, Tom Forsythe, and Susanne Pitt. In recent years, Barbie has faced increasing competition from the Bratz range of dolls.
Early in Barbie's career, a biography was created around her through a series of novels. She was christened Barbara Millicent Roberts with Willows, Wisconsin her home town. Barbie's steady boyfriend Ken Carson was introduced as a doll in 1961 with an extensive wardrobe. Other companions and family members were introduced over the years. Barbie has had pets, vehicles, houses, and even a theater.
Barbie has encountered criticisms, controversies, parodies, and lawsuits during her tenure as the world's leading fashion doll. Many criticisms and controversies are based on the assumption that children view her as a role model and will attempt to emulate what some preceive as a shallow lifestyle and an unrealistic body image.
Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for nearly fifty years, and is viewed by some as a cultural icon. She has been the subject of art by Andy Warhol, Tom Forsythe, and Susanne Pitt. In recent years, Barbie has faced increasing competition from the Bratz range of dolls.
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