#just because a lot of girls broke the basic template their barbies came with doesn't mean BarbieTM didn't put that template there | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

gammija · 1 year ago

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i think what defences of barbie against feminist critique on here seem to miss, is that, while yes, a lot of girls grew up with barbie and had fun with her and didn't feel as if her unrealistic body type had any influence on them... that doesn't mean this product wasn't made to appeal to young girls and used a specific body type and aesthetic to do so. Like, it can be both 'barbie empowered lots of girls' and 'barbie, as a huge influential brand, both broke some sexist standards and expectations for women but perpetuated several others'

#as an aside. implicit discrimination also exists and might be more pernacious.#have you as a kid EVER seen a commercial in which a boy plays with barbies?#perhaps those have come about in recent years but i sure havent. and even if those exist now id bet that no such commercial exists with #ONLY a boy or several boys playing with barbie #Joos yaps #probably a #delete later #but you know. i DID feel a sick feeling as a little girl walking through the Girl Isle in a toy store and seeing just pinks and yellows #so neither experience is universal #just because a lot of girls broke the basic template their barbies came with doesn't mean BarbieTM didn't put that template there #and it's fine to discuss the more nuanced and less fun and girlpower parts of culture. in fact id say its somewhat important

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