"Normal Barbie" Comes With Cellulite And Acne Stickers

raissyrais

So this guy has done a crowd funding to be able to reproduce a Barbie who looks just like an average 19 year old woman. Here are some pics. It feels a bit weird to me cause I don't recognize any of my 30 Barbies I had as a child in there. Now that I'm gown up, I can't remember a time where I would think that's how a woman's body is supposed to look like. What are your thoughts? And here is the link to the article:

http://time.com/3593968/the-new-normal-barbie-comes-with-an-average-womans-proportions-and-cellulite-sticker-extension-packs/

charlieyankee03

I don't remember growing up and thinking that I was supposed to try to look like a Barbie doll. It was a doll that I enjoyed playing with. That's it.

I do give Mattel props for the chemotherapy Barbie though.

raissyrais

charlieyankee03 said:

I don't remember growing up and thinking that I was supposed to try to look like a Barbie doll. It was a doll that I enjoyed playing with. That's it.

I do give Mattel props for the chemotherapy Barbie though.

Those are my feelings about it too. Barbie has looked the same for 60 years and now they're thinking of changing it maybe...

theycallmelinz

Same. I saw this yesterday and these dolls look weird. I was a pretty large child and I still don't think I ever had body-envy for Barbie. 

I did, however, get highly upset that every year I asked for a "My Size Barbie" and never got one. I was giving my mom shit for it (jokingly) as an adult, and she finally told me how she was afraid to get me one because she didn't know if Barbie's clothes would fit me. SO STOP TAKING ME TO MCDONALDS FOR EVERY MEAL MOM!! GOSSHHHHH.  

novella1186

raissyrais said:

charlieyankee03 said:

I don't remember growing up and thinking that I was supposed to try to look like a Barbie doll. It was a doll that I enjoyed playing with. That's it.

I do give Mattel props for the chemotherapy Barbie though.

Those are my feelings about it too. Barbie has looked the same for 60 years and now they're thinking of changing it maybe...

Ditto this for me too. I never had eating disorders or self-hatred based on the fact that I wanted to look like a barbie. I just thought it was a toy. It's not like kids are going around trying to look like Mr. Potato Head. 

raissyrais

theycallmelinz said:

Same. I saw this yesterday and these dolls look weird. I was a pretty large child and I still don't think I ever had body-envy for Barbie. 

I did, however, get highly upset that every year I asked for a "My Size Barbie" and never got one. I was giving my mom shit for it (jokingly) as an adult, and she finally told me how she was afraid to get me one because she didn't know if Barbie's clothes would fit me. SO STOP TAKING ME TO MCDONALDS FOR EVERY MEAL MOM!! GOSSHHHHH.  

Awww you're so cute. I didn't even know they made My Size Barbies?!

theycallmelinz

raissyrais said:

theycallmelinz said:

Same. I saw this yesterday and these dolls look weird. I was a pretty large child and I still don't think I ever had body-envy for Barbie. 

I did, however, get highly upset that every year I asked for a "My Size Barbie" and never got one. I was giving my mom shit for it (jokingly) as an adult, and she finally told me how she was afraid to get me one because she didn't know if Barbie's clothes would fit me. SO STOP TAKING ME TO MCDONALDS FOR EVERY MEAL MOM!! GOSSHHHHH.  

Awww you're so cute. I didn't even know they made My Size Barbies?!

They totally did. My BFF had one and I was jealous lol. 

loro929

Things like this: -> CLICKY <- upset me wayyy more than what Barbie dolls look like (after all we come in all colors, shapes and sizes, right?) but at least MATTEL recognized the err of its ways and pulled it from the shelves... I guess? Still bugs me that something like this could even make it to market!

Maggie0829

charlieyankee03 said:

I don't remember growing up and thinking that I was supposed to try to look like a Barbie doll. It was a doll that I enjoyed playing with. That's it.

I do give Mattel props for the chemotherapy Barbie though.

This.  I never looked at a Barbie when I was little and thought "fuck, I am fat."

I really think it is the parents who are the one's putting up a fight about how kids will get all fucked in the head if they play with toys that aren't realistic.  Hey Mom and Dad it isn't the toys that will alter how kids think of themselves, but rather your parenting that will help them realize that toys are toys and people are people and that you shouldn't compare yourself to a piece of plastic.

emmaaa

I don't like the idea of changing Barbie either. She has been that way for so long!

And is it just me or is it weird that they have stickers for stretch marks, acne, and tattoos? If this doll were for, I don't know, say, 13-16 year olds that would make more since. But generally, it is younger kids who play with them.

lurkergirl

Yeah, I played with barbies all the time as a kid.  It never crossed my mind that I should look like a fake plastic toy.

My biggest issue with barbies was fighting with friends over them.  My boy cousin used to come over, and I would only let him play with boy barbies, but for some reason my 5-year old mind couldn't fathom, he really wanted to see those girl barbies.

My BFF (still friends, how cute and I ALWAYS fought over two of her barbies when we played at her house.  First, she had 2 ken dolls.  One was the kind with hard plastic hair.  But the other one had barbie-type synthetic strands.  They were brown with blonde highlights, and he had a jean jacket.  Obviously, he was the hot ken, so it was always a battle over who got to play with him.  She also had a brand new Ariel barbie, so we fought over her a lot too. 

Red-headed Ariel barbie and real-haired Ken were the hottest couple.

novella1186

loro929 said:

Things like this: -> CLICKY <- upset me wayyy more than what Barbie dolls look like (after all we come in all colors, shapes and sizes, right?) but at least MATTEL recognized the err of its ways and pulled it from the shelves... I guess? Still bugs me that something like this could even make it to market!

I had that talking Barbie from 1996 (so NOT that long ago!) that said "Math is hard, let's go shopping!" 

raissyrais

@loro929 Yes that was quite a sexist move on their part but good thing they apologised! 

@Maggie0829 I also do believe that parenting is more important when it comes to body image than just trying to make Barbie more "real". After all she is a doll. Of course there'll be some nutter or some wanker out there who will want to look like Barbie and Ken and go through extensive surgery but I think that most of us are safe.

abbyj700

As a small child did I sit and want to be as skinny as barbie? Not really? As I got older, and my older sister got older - did I hope to have a giant rack like barbie? You bet your ass I did. So happy now that I have a medium rack though!

All that aside, it's rather disturbing that the most popular girls toy line is based on a woman who's back would break if an actual human being had her dimensions. I agree that it sends the wrong message. It's just the beginning of a lifetime where a size 2 model on the cover of a magazine needs photoshopped and a size 8 model is considered plus sized.

I loved Barbie as a child. I had 2 dream houses, a camper, 2 horses, a limo, motorcycle, corvette, and a jeep along with about 40 barbie dolls by the time they were all quietly retired. But I still find it disturbing that starting at a young age we are given unrealistic ideals (even if we don't realize it then). If you want the dreamhouse and to get the guy- you look like barbie. 

Signed

A real sized woman who would be considered a "plus sized model"

lilacck28

Mattel is planning to change Barbie? The  "real 19-year old " version of the Barbie-like doll linked above was created by an artist, and has nothing to do with official Barbie. I had no idea that Mattel had a change planned though? Links?

raissyrais

lilacck28 said:

Mattel is planning to change Barbie? The  "real 19-year old " version of the Barbie-like doll linked above was created by an artist, and has nothing to do with official Barbie. I had no idea that Mattel had a change planned though? Links?

I believe I did mention it was a random guy who did a crowd funding to experiment in the making of a Barbie that looks more like real women. I don't think Mattel is being involved, we were all just being hypothetical to the Barbie not looking the same anymore.

southernbelle0915

If I ever have kids and I have the choice between giving them original barbie and this barbie, I would probably choose this barbie. 

I don't know the stats or figures on how much barbies affect body image. Some people say they do affect body image and then some people say "it's just a doll". I've never seen actual research on this one way or another, so I can't say for sure. But, if I were buying a human figurine doll for my kid, I guess why not choose a doll that has average female proportions over one that, if a real person, would not be able to stand up or have all her organs? I wouldn't keep original barbie from my kids, but given the choice, I'd go with the more realistic doll.

pinkcow13

Yea this is kinda weird. I saw it on the news this morning, and someone had placed stretch marks on her belly.

I never had issues with Barbie, or wanting to look like her as a kid. My biggest issue was the fact that my aprents never got me the My Size Barbie. And I was a short kid, so she really would have been my size!

doeydo

I like the idea of making a barbie more realistic, but IDK about the stickers and that sort of thing.  The American Girl dolls look freaking amazing, but I think they are pretty pricy, right?

princessofgenovia

Did I play with Barbies? Yes. Did Barbie make me hate my body and wish I was a size 2? Nope. Do I still think Barbies in different body styles would be fantastic? Hells yes! And can we get a Barbie with some flat fucking feet? Bitch is always in heels, come on now. All the jobs she has? Heels are not productive for a lot of career paths. Let Barbie wear some cute flats.

I was mostly upset as a child that My Size Barbie was not my size. You were supposed to be able to share clothes with her and I was good foot or so taller. Being a tall kid fucking sucked. 

chibiyui

I've liked the various, more realistic proportion barbies that artists have come up with over the years, not sure if I like the acne and cellulite stickers. It seem much more "art statement" then "actual toy"

I think Tattoos for Barbie are pretty cool though. 

I played with Barbie a lot as a kid, but man. I hope if I have a kid, she's into Monster High. Those dolls are weird and fun. I always pick one or two up for toy donations around Christmas.  This year they have a half centaur half harpy one. How fucking cool is that! Fucking fashion centaur doll! With a top hat!

esstee33

I'm all for Barbie dolls having more realistic, more average body proportions, but I don't really see a need to give them acne and stretch marks. 

southernbelle0915

princessofgenovia said:

Did I play with Barbies? Yes. Did Barbie make me hate my body and wish I was a size 2? Nope. Do I still think Barbies in different body styles would be fantastic? Hells yes! And can we get a Barbie with some flat fucking feet? Bitch is always in heels, come on now. All the jobs she has? Heels are not productive for a lot of career paths. Let Barbie wear some cute flats.

I was mostly upset as a child that My Size Barbie was not my size. You were supposed to be able to share clothes with her and I was good foot or so taller. Being a tall kid fucking sucked. 

Yuuup. I was just over 5'6" in 6th grade. Tallest kid (not just tallest girl) in the class. And sooo awkward. But I got all my own rebounds on the basketball team, so that was cool. 

Also, I have grown less than an inch since then... 

sarawifenow

I am on the fence with this. I think that it is great that they are wanting to show kids that people come in all shapes and sizes, but I just don't know if the message will really make it across the generational lines.

 

The things that I remember being the most upset about with my Barbie as a kid is that when I decided to give her a mohawk, the hair didn't grow back. THAT freaked me out and I wouldn't let my mom take me for a hair cut for a year.  Ha!

abbyj700

chibiyui said:

I've liked the various, more realistic proportion barbies that artists have come up with over the years, not sure if I like the acne and cellulite stickers. It seem much more "art statement" then "actual toy"

I think Tattoos for Barbie are pretty cool though. 

I played with Barbie a lot as a kid, but man. I hope if I have a kid, she's into Monster High. Those dolls are weird and fun. I always pick one or two up for toy donations around Christmas.  This year they have a half centaur half harpy one. How fucking cool is that! Fucking fashion centaur doll! With a top hat!

My step daughter LOVES Monster High. Last year's Christmas consisted of a Monster High bedset, craft set and panties. My mom and DH's mom got her MH stuff as well...and she was GEEKED! 

Sugargirl1019

charlieyankee03 said:

I don't remember growing up and thinking that I was supposed to try to look like a Barbie doll. It was a doll that I enjoyed playing with. That's it.

I do give Mattel props for the chemotherapy Barbie though.

This!

bethsmiles

esstee33 said:

I'm all for Barbie dolls having more realistic, more average body proportions, but I don't really see a need to give them acne and stretch marks. 

This is pretty much how I feel about. It just makes me wonder why? By the time I was old enough to have acne or stretch marks I wasn't playing with my dolls anymore. At the age I was, I wouldn't have really gotten what the hell the acne and stretch mark stickers were. I don't see a problem with including them, I just think it's rather pointless.

Given a choice, I'd give my kid the more realistic doll. Do I think Barbie is solely responsible for the body image issues so many women have today? Nope. Do I think Barbie is a part of a bigger problem? Absolutely. You see these unrealistic images over and over and over again starting from very young, even if you never wanted to specifically look like Barbie she definitely isn't helping the situation.

amelisha

I had literally hundreds of Barbies and all the crap imaginable to go with them (only child, only grandchild...) and I also have some seriously messed up body issues, but I doubt they're connected. My brain didn't break until I hit puberty and had long since put the Barbies away.

Teen magazines, on the other hand...

I'm not opposed to this guy's project as a statement or an art thing or whatever, but I don't think there's really a point to it for actual children.

kat1114

southernbelle0915 said:

princessofgenovia said:

Did I play with Barbies? Yes. Did Barbie make me hate my body and wish I was a size 2? Nope. Do I still think Barbies in different body styles would be fantastic? Hells yes! And can we get a Barbie with some flat fucking feet? Bitch is always in heels, come on now. All the jobs she has? Heels are not productive for a lot of career paths. Let Barbie wear some cute flats.

I was mostly upset as a child that My Size Barbie was not my size. You were supposed to be able to share clothes with her and I was good foot or so taller. Being a tall kid fucking sucked. 

Yuuup. I was just over 5'6" in 6th grade. Tallest kid (not just tallest girl) in the class. And sooo awkward. But I got all my own rebounds on the basketball team, so that was cool. 

Also, I have grown less than an inch since then... 

Are we twins? I played center throughout middle school because I was always the tallest at around 5'5"ish.  I maxed out at 5'6" and I'm pretty sure I haven't grown since age 13.

loro929

I always played with Barbies as a child and I never wanted my body to emulate that of a Barbie doll - I wanted her evening gown collection though .

I was a strange child though too, I was basically a child collector of Barbies (does anyone remember those Holiday Barbies from the late 80s/early 90s?), I even collected the Christmas ornaments! 

lurkergirl

loro929 said:

I always played with Barbies as a child and I never wanted my body to emulate that of a Barbie doll - I wanted her evening gown collection though .

I was a strange child though too, I was basically a child collector of Barbies (does anyone remember those Holiday Barbies from the late 80s/early 90s?), I even collected the Christmas ornaments! 

They still do Holiday Barbies.  My cousin is in her 30s, and I'm pretty sure she still gets them every year.  They are all still in the box and have never been played with!