I have a love/hate relationship with Barbie. On one hand Barbie bucks social stereotypes by showing girls they can be whatever they want. While on the other hand, she also conforms to a completely unattainable body image that no one can ever reach.
And as a kid I wanted to be Barbie. Her dream house, car, and amazing clothes. It was like being sold a sanitized version of Sex In the City as a 5 year old. All the high fashion & materialism with none of the sex.
But I’m brunette & can walk without falling over, unlike Barbie who wouldn’t be able to due to be top heavy with no waist. I also don’t walk around on my tiptoes all day or in high heels. And I wouldn’t date a man for nearly 50 years who is obviously not that into me. I mean come on Barbie, Ken was NEVER going to settle down!! I am not even sure Ken is that into women.
When it boils down to it I’m not Barbie material. I’m more like Barbie’s sensible brunette best friend in glasses. The one who settles down with the love of her life, buys clothes in her price range (seriously how was Barbie going to pay those bills for the designer digs?), has some kids, and wears comfortable shoes.
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My husband and I joke that we were glad our first was a boy because of toys like Barbie!
I love the way you put that! I am the same way, or Betty to Veronica!!
Yes, I agree – I’m more like Barbie’s friend Midge, who as Wikipedia puts it, was “less sexually intimidating” than Barbie. Sometimes I wanted to be Barbie, though!