Barbie: An Enduring Icon, Evolving with the Times

On March 9, 1959, she tiptoed into our collective consciousness, a vision of stilettos and aspiration. Since that day, Barbie has remained a ubiquitous figure, sparking countless conversations, scholarly analyses, and passionate debates. Her merits, messages, body, fashion choices, and hundreds of career paths have all been subjected to intense scrutiny.

Beloved by generations of children, even those who subject her to haircuts, makeovers, and the occasional dismemberment, Barbie represents more than just a toy. She’s a cultural phenomenon, a blank canvas onto which millions of girls have projected their dreams, and a perpetual source of think pieces exploring her complex role in American culture, fashion, and feminism.

Perhaps, at 66 years old, Barbie is more reflective of ourselves than we realize. She embodies the spirit of change, evolution, and constant self-improvement.

"She changes," emphasizes Michele Ramsey, an associate professor of communications and women’s studies at Penn State. "Back when she was introduced, it was groundbreaking to have a doll that wasn’t just a baby and used to train girls to be mommies. It was just a doll for play." This departure from traditional baby dolls marked a significant shift, empowering girls to imagine futures beyond the domestic sphere.

Ramsey further notes that Barbie has "morphed through the years to be more representative," a testament to Mattel’s efforts to embrace diversity and inclusivity.

However, Barbie’s journey has not been without its critics. One persistent concern revolves around her "literally impossible body," as Ramsey describes it. These unrealistic proportions, if translated onto a real woman, would render her unable to stand. "You can dress her up as a doctor, but she’s still in a shape that if a real woman had it, she wouldn’t be able to stand up," Ramsey points out, highlighting the potential for body image issues among young girls.

Despite the criticisms, Barbie’s impact on American culture is undeniable. Let’s delve into the history of this iconic doll and examine her multifaceted place in society.

Like any modern woman, Barbie embraces choice, and her career trajectory is a testament to that. According to numerous sources, including the Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed, and Yahoo, Barbie has held over 250 different jobs. Truly a "working girl," she’s broken barriers and shattered expectations across numerous fields.

From fashion designer and flight attendant to nurse and doctor, Barbie has shown girls that they can aspire to any profession. She’s been an athlete, excelling in sports ranging from tennis to skiing to baseball, and even ventured into the cosmos as an astronaut. She’s taught children as a teacher, entertained audiences as a rock star and game show host, and pushed boundaries as a pilot and physicist.

Barbie’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her roles as a businesswoman, waitress, veterinarian, secretary, baker, and cosmetologist. Mattel continues to introduce new dolls, inspired by trailblazing women like Alicia Keys, recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in the music industry.

Beyond the professional sphere, Barbie has also served as a babysitter, a member of the U.S. military, a United Nations ambassador, a police officer, and a detective. She’s even dared to challenge gender roles as a matador, run for U.S. president, and honed her culinary skills as a chef. Her artistic side has emerged as an artist, a SeaWorld trainer, and even a journalist.

While Barbie’s career achievements are impressive, her personal life has also been a subject of public fascination. Her relationship with Ken, formally known as Kenneth Sean Carson, is a perennial topic of discussion. Ken arrived on the scene in 1961, making him a couple of years younger than Barbie.

However, Ken isn’t the only person in Barbie’s orbit. She boasts a wide circle of friends and family. Her younger sisters, Skipper (introduced in 1964), Stacie, Kelly (later replaced by Chelsea), and Krissy, as well as twins Todd and Tutti, all contribute to the vibrant world of the Roberts family (yes, that’s her last name), which also includes her parents, George and Margaret.

Barbie’s first best friend was Midge, who debuted in 1963, followed by Christie in 1966, Mattel’s first unique Black doll. Over the years, her friend group has expanded to include Theresa, Summer, Kira/Miko, and Nia. A complete list of her family and friends spans seven pages, highlighting the depth and complexity of Barbie’s social world.

Barbie’s evolution continues to this day. Mattel has introduced multicultural Barbies to ensure that more girls can play with dolls that resemble them. Recognizing the importance of representation, there is now a wheelchair Barbie and a Barbie with Down syndrome. Barbie now comes in 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles, and nine different body types, reflecting a broader range of beauty standards.

Furthermore, Barbie has become a tool for education, introducing children to inspiring role models. Dolls based on historical figures like Ida B. Wells, the pioneering suffragist, civil rights activist, and journalist; Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned conservationist; author Maya Angelou; and Native American activist Wilma Mankiller, among others, teach children about the lives and legacies of remarkable women.

Despite her accomplishments and positive impact, Barbie has faced criticism for her unrealistic body proportions, her stereotypical fashion choices (the abundance of pink), and her historical failure to represent the diverse range of girls who couldn’t find themselves reflected in her pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.

However, many critics argue that Barbie, like any woman, has been subjected to unfair scrutiny. "No one criticizes GI Joe, after all," Ramsey points out, emphasizing the double standard applied to female figures.

"People put into that doll what they want," Ramsey explains. "Our job is to teach kids how to be critical of pop culture. Yes, it’s just entertainment, but what else shapes our identity, other than our families, more than the media we surround ourselves with?" This underscores the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills in navigating the messages conveyed by popular culture.

Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film "Barbie" tackles some of these issues head-on. USA TODAY reviewer Brian Truitt hailed it as "an insightful exploration of humanity, the meaning of life and the cognitive dissonance of a woman living in the patriarchy, all with a really big heart and style to spare."

Even Barbie’s creation challenged traditional expectations. Her creator, Ruth Handler, observed that her daughter and her friends were more drawn to paper dolls resembling adult women than baby dolls. Handler envisioned Barbie as a means for girls to imagine themselves as something other than mothers – they could be anything. She wanted to empower young girls to strive for more in life and know they could do anything.