Barbie, How Much Influence Does She Really Have?

OK before you go getting rowdy let me rephrase that. I like Barbie, just not as a toy. I like her as a collector's item.

I know all the old arguments. She messes with a girl's self esteem. Well I played with Barbie as a child and I did have self esteem issues, but it was not from Barbie. Today's media focus on being a size 2 I think has more to do with a girls self image issues than a toy. I do think right now she represents only women who have excellent plastic surgeons. Though there may be a few who fit her mold so to speak.

In the past Barbie has been a pilot, astronaut, executive and other fast paced careers. Now she is slowing down and becoming a child photographer, dog groomer and art teacher (from the children in this play set she seems to teach pre school art.)

I wonder if they will ever place her in the most important job of all.

Yes, to me being a wife and mother is the most important job there is. I was a stay at home mom while my boys were small. I ran an in home day care for much of that time. When they went to school full days I went to work. I was a preschool teacher fas well in local pre schools. In all I spent 20 years working with children.

Why can't we see Barbie happily married to Ken, with 2 or 3 toddlers in tow? The play sets could involve daily tasks, laundry, grocery shopping, with coupons of course, gardening, and even home schooling since these jobs all need doing. Perhaps Barbie has portrayed this in the past and I just missed it.

I really think there is a huge underground of women who are working at and loving this job. I know there is a movement to return to the "good old days" and I think it is great! No wives are not shackled slaves in this movement, but women their husbands love, respect and enjoy coming home to. Along with a decently kept house (trust me, any home with toddlers will not be a Martha Stewart look a like!). Featuring a solidly home cooked, from scratch meal, no take out, no frozen mystery meats entrees, and a wife who loves him and is glad to see him.

When will we see Barbie play sets that embrace these things? That is a Barbie I could get behind and promote. One who shows that even stay at home moms have worth, she doesn't need a job to be worthy of a national campaign via play sets.

According to a national toy seller's magazine poll numbers show 65 percent of girls ages 9-11 dream of being happily married (49% of boys in this age range also have this dream) Over all 57% of children polled dream of being married with a happy family. This ranked second after being a millionaire. (The Toy Book article Tween Dreams, Jan. 2007)

So I say, lets see Barbie take the plunge. Let's see her emulate the dreams of 57% of our young people! Let's see her give her status to the happy wife and homemaker! Please note, I have nothing against working wives and moms, I AM one now myself. I just see a need to promote our stay at home sisters for a change, so that girls feel safe making that choice as well.