Wednesday, March 4, 2009

In Defence of Barbie

So, yesterday there was a story on msn that some West Virginia lawmaker wants to ban the sales of Barbie. Here's the story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29508066/ .

It's good to know with a war going on in two fronts, an economic mess on their hands, global warming, and the worst economic downtown in 70 plus years that this lawmaker has nothing better to do with taxpayers' dollars. His reasons: "such toys influence girls to place too much importance on physical beauty, at the expense of their intellectual and emotional development".

I had Barbies growing up and some of her cool accessories: Country Camper, her Townhouse, and, of course, lots of clothes. I think I was about 12 or so when I gave up playing with them, but I still like them. To this day, I have a Scarlett O'Hara barbie. If you saw how I dressed some days, you would know that Barbie did not force me to "place too much importance on physical beauty."

Did it cause me to not pursue "intellectual and emotional development"? Not likely. I was a reader; I read lots. In fact, I can't think of another kid I went to school with that read as much as I did (and that includes the Bible and other spiritual books).

Sure, Barbie has her detractors and people are entitled to their opinion. Yes, I know of one woman (I think she was in Britain) that was obsessed with Barbie and thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery to look like Barbie, but that's her problem. She's the one that needs some self esteem; don't blame the doll.

If I had a child, I'd rather they played with Barbies than toy guns, learning how to kill people and learn of war. Get your priorities straight.

Barbie is a rite of passage in a girl's life, and the age passes quick. Let them enjoy it while they can. If parent's don't like it, they won't buy it. People will vote with their dollars. Let the parents decide what's right for their child.