Sex: distinction between men and women as a result of their biological, physical and genetic differences

Gender: an array of socially constructed roles and relationships, personality traits, attitudes, behaviors, values, relative power and

influence that society ascribes to the two sexes on a differential basis. Set characteristics are influenced by social, political and cultural forces

Whereas biological sex is determined by genetic and anatomical characteristics, gender is an acquired identity that is learned, changes over time, and varies widely within and across cultures.

“Sugar and spice and all things nice, that’s what little girls are made of. Slugs and snails and puppy dog tails, that’s what little boys are made of.”

Women Men Submissive AggressiveEmotional Unemotional Quiet Loud Neat MessyArtsy Math and Science

Oriented Homemaker Money Maker Nice Naughty

From very early on, clothing, accessories and toys for children are gendered.

From an early age, children are conditioned to like certain types of toys over others.

The toys that are generally marketed towards children depends on whether they are boys or girls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srnaXW9ZgZc

Barbie first appeared on March 9, 1959, in New York’s American International Toy Fair

As of 2007, Barbie was being sold in more than 150 countries and an average of 3 Barbie dolls were being sold every second

Barbie’s look has often drawn criticism because of its idealization of the feminine form and its unrealistic, unattainable perception of beauty

Although a popular doll, critics worry that Barbie’s current look contributes negatively to the increasing problems related to low self esteem, sexism and eating disorders

Her legs would be 50% longer than her arms whereas the average woman’s are only 20% longer. What does this mean? Barbie would be unable to walk . She would constantly be falling on her face and would only be able to move around if she was on all fours

While crawling, Barbie would need someone to support her head because her neck is twice the length of an average human neck.

Her feet are un-proportionally small. What does this mean? Barbie’s pointy, perky chest would continually pull her forward on her face due to a lack of balance.

Barbie weights 45.8 kg and measures 213 cm in height. What does this mean? She would have a body mass index of 10 and would be lacking the 17%-22% body fat needed to menstruate and have children

As it is, Barbie’s body would only have room for half a liver and a few centimeters of intestines (as opposed to the normal 7.9 meters). What does this mean? Barbie would suffer from chronic diarrhea and would likely die from mal-absorption and malnutrition.

Source: “The Trouble With Barbie All Over the World” by Michael

Carr- Gregg . Written for the Herald Sun (Sept. 25th 2007)

Barbie’s appearance is not the only factor that has drawn criticism for promoting eating disorders as well as unrealistic idealizations of beauty

In 1963, “Barbie Baby-sits” outfit included a book accessory that focused on how to lose weight. Written in the book was the advice “don’t eat.” Two years late, the book was re-vamped for the “Slumber Party” set but this time the outfit also included a scale that showed the weight 110 pounds. Given Barbie’s height, 110 pounds means that she would be 30 pounds underweight.

When asked to do a collaboration with Mattel for a special edition Barbie, it was reported that shoe designer Christian Louboutin requested that Barbie’s ankles be redesigned because they were too “fat”. When asked, he claims it was her arches not her ankles that needed fixing.

The ever changing body of Barbie. For better or worse?

Barbie has also been criticized for the messages the brand sends out regarding race, sexuality and social equality.

In 1967, the Francie doll (Barbie’s MOD cousin) came out with a “colored” version. It was criticized for its lack of racial authenticity. She was, after all, the original Francie doll made using darker colored plastic that was meant to resemble African American skin tones.

1968’s Christie is Barbie’s first black friend. Like Francie, Christie’s features were still similar (if not identical) to Barbie’s but her introduction allowed girls of color to better identify with the brand and the image it sold…

In 1980, Mattel released its first ever black doll with the name Barbie. This differed from their previous approach which had them introducing black dolls as family and friends of Barbie but not Barbie herself.

Given that dating is an important part of Barbie’s inner circle, Mattel created male counterparts for its female dolls. Brad, created in 1969, was Christine’s boyfriend. Meanwhile, black Ken, created in 1981 was meant as the romantic interest of Mattel’s first black Barbie which was created in 1980.

Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes: Sport and Shave Ken: “Shave him. He’s athletic. He’s all man”

http://videosift.com/video/Growing-up-Skipper-Best-selling-boobie-err-barbie-doll

“Growing Up Skipper”

When this doll debuted in 1975, parents were upset because they felt that Skipper’s physical changes forced them to talk to their kids about sexuality at too early an age.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfro2b79emE(commerical)

Happy Family Controversy

Midge, one of Barbie’s oldest friends was introduced in the 1960s to counter claims that Barbie was a sex symbol. In 2003, the “Happy Family” collection, consisting of Midge’s husband, Alan, their son Ryan and newborn baby Nikki was released. The doll was pulled off the shelves at Wal-Mart when parents complained that it promoted teen pregnancy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MgHAeYuYEg

Share a Smile Becky was introduced in 1997 and criticized when a 17 year old girl with cerebral palsy pointed out that Becky’s wheelchair did not fit in the elevator of Barbie’s $100 dream house. Mattel promised to remodel Barbie’s house to rectify this problem.

2009’s Totally Stylin Tattoo Barbie outraged parents who believed that tattooing Barbie would lead girls to prematurely consider getting tattoos. This Barbie also came with a fake tattoo gun that girls could use to add fake tattoos on their own bodies.

Teacher Barbie was recalled by Mattel in 1995, when parents discovered that the doll was not wearing any panties. These dolls are collectible and can be bought on eBay for as much as $120 dollars US!

To what degree should consumers be concerned about toys like Barbie?

“ ‘Many women’s first experiences with fashion and beauty were playing with Barbie. Today this fantasy continues with Barbie Loves MAC, a color collection that allows women to rediscover their inner girl,’ said Richard Dickson, senior vice president of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel. ‘Barbie is about aspiration and inspiring girls to explore a world of possibilities, and now today’s woman can do that in beauty with the Barbie Loves MAC collection.’ ”

Are children as easily influenced by the toys they play with as critics lead us to believe?

Sarah Burge spent £539, 500 undergoing various surgical and cosmetic treatments in an attempt to transform herself into a living Barbie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHqmQrITGpY

Little is known about the woman known as Angelyne . She is an American actress and model and is best know for purchasing billboards to advertise her brand: herself! She has been quoted as claiming to be a real life Barbie. Like Barbie, she loves hot pink and drives a hot pink corvette.

The first prototype for a G.I. Joe action figure was designed in 1963. Hasbro, the company responsible for the action figures, realized that the popularity of the Barbie doll has not counterpart on boys’ toys.

Consequently, they developed a military-themed line of dolls that Barbie could be accessorized and dress in various outfits.

G.I. Joe was very successful until the 1960 when the there was great outcry for the U.S.’s involvement in the Vietnam war.Due to the criticism it received, Hasbro decided to give G.I. Joe an honorable release. Post war saw the re-introduction of G.I. figures in the 1970.

Sharon Lamb, professor of mental health at the University of Massachusetts, conducted a survey of 674 boys between the ages of 4 and 18 and discovered that the movies and toys being marketed to this gender and age group promoted the following characteristics:

Violence Hyper-masculinity Emotional aloofness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZn_lJoN6PI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-2_2EWR3c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yXawSkBa2Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quzDWil-gsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIGyVa5Xftw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787swExegWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jVdZEBloKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvT1UQS8qDg