Barbie: Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon? Essays -- Argumen

Barbie Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon?Shes the unspotted American beauty, the woman we all dreamed of organism at one point in our lives. She has long, tanned legs, cascades of blonde curls and has such perky breasts that she doesnt rase quest a bra. Although this character does not need air to breathe and is made of plastic, she has been one of Americas most potent icons for more than 40 years and has unnatural girls in ways even human models arnt able-bodied of. With 250 million Barbies in existence in the United States alone, there ar more Barbies than there are people in the United States (Green 339). Barbie is adored by 8-year-old girls, collected by mishandle-boomer moms, and despised by feminists. No one can deny Barbies unmistakable popularity. I myself am still the owner of 10-12 well-worn Barbie dolls. They are the outcome of much begging and pleading with my parents and their many unsuccessful attempts at getting me to stop sucking my thumb. Barbie was fascinating to me because she was a woman, not a baby like my other dolls. My sister and I spent hours creating complex grown-up scenarios with Barbie and her counterparts. Although I have fond memories of those afternoons of make-believe, I am at a time a more consciences large(p) aware of Barbies shortcomings as such a powerful cultural icon. Although some people would call Barbie a feminist due to her multiple careers and her independent, fun-loving personality, I now see that Barbies unrealistic body size, her association with consumerism, and her potent sexuality make her a shun and harmful American icon. Barbie was conceived in 1959 by pathos Handler (Green, A. 1/2). While on vacation in Germany, Ruth found a bangle d... ...rth Island Journal 114 (1996). Academic pursuit Elite. Palni Site look to. Goshen College Good Library. 3 Mar. 2001.Matheny, Krista. Many Women Believe Barbie Damages Society. Murray State News U-Wire 18 Feb. 200 0. <www.sam.com/articleMcConnell, Tandy, ed. American Decades 1990-1999. Farmington Hills, MI Gale, 2001.Prager, Emily. Our Barbies, Ourselves. Signs of Life in the U.S.A. Readings on Popular gloss For Writers. 3rd Ed. Maasik, Sonia and Jack Solomon. Boston Bedford, 2000. 706-709.Robertson, Virginia. Special Report on hit Girls What Barbie Says About Girls. Aug. 1997. Kidscreen About Reaching Children Through Entertainment <www.kidscreen.com/articles/ks15997.aspThe Culture of Beauty. Diabetes Forcast Jul 1995. Academic Search Elite. Palni SiteSearch. Goshen College Good Library. 3 Mar. 2001. Barbie Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon? Essays -- ArgumenBarbie Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon?Shes the classic American beauty, the woman we all dreamed of being at one point in our lives. She has long, tanned legs, cascades of blonde curls and has such perky breasts that she doesnt even need a bra. Although this character does no t need air to breathe and is made of plastic, she has been one of Americas most potent icons for more than 40 years and has affected girls in ways even human models arent capable of. With 250 million Barbies in existence in the United States alone, there are more Barbies than there are people in the United States (Green 339). Barbie is adored by 8-year-old girls, collected by baby-boomer moms, and despised by feminists. No one can deny Barbies unmistakable popularity. I myself am still the owner of 10-12 well-worn Barbie dolls. They are the outcome of much begging and pleading with my parents and their many unsuccessful attempts at getting me to stop sucking my thumb. Barbie was fascinating to me because she was a woman, not a baby like my other dolls. My sister and I spent hours creating complex grown-up scenarios with Barbie and her counterparts. Although I have fond memories of those afternoons of make-believe, I am now a more consciences adult aware of Barbies shortcomings as such a powerful cultural icon. Although some people would call Barbie a feminist due to her multiple careers and her independent, fun-loving personality, I now see that Barbies unrealistic body size, her association with consumerism, and her potent sexuality make her a negative and harmful American icon. Barbie was conceived in 1959 by Ruth Handler (Green, A. 1/2). While on vacation in Germany, Ruth found a novelty d... ...rth Island Journal 114 (1996). Academic Search Elite. Palni SiteSearch. Goshen College Good Library. 3 Mar. 2001.Matheny, Krista. Many Women Believe Barbie Damages Society. Murray State News U-Wire 18 Feb. 2000. <www.sam.com/articleMcConnell, Tandy, ed. American Decades 1990-1999. Farmington Hills, MI Gale, 2001.Prager, Emily. Our Barbies, Ourselves. Signs of Life in the U.S.A. Readings on Popular Culture For Writers. 3rd Ed. Maasik, Sonia and Jack Solomon. Boston Bedford, 2000. 706-709.Robertson, Virginia. Special Repor t on Reaching Girls What Barbie Says About Girls. Aug. 1997. Kidscreen About Reaching Children Through Entertainment <www.kidscreen.com/articles/ks15997.aspThe Culture of Beauty. Diabetes Forcast Jul 1995. Academic Search Elite. Palni SiteSearch. Goshen College Good Library. 3 Mar. 2001.