Barbie Perfidy

Barbie Perfidy

This particular issue derives not from Barbie herself rather it stems from her choice in reading material. In 1965, Mattel created Slumber Party Barbie equipped with a scale that always reads 110 pounds and a guide to losing weight. The title is How To Lose Weight with a tip on the back that says, “Don't Eat!” Perhaps Mattel was playing a joke, but with issues of weight and self-esteem, especially from young women, this message wasn't an appropriate one.
 

The children that play with Barbie or have seen the doll have now been exposed to Barbie's image. A supposed societal expectation for women to look like a plastic figurine. Of course, promoting unhealthy habits, especially from national icons, has its repercussions; a year later Mattel removed the scale, but kept the “diet” book. The take away point is this: To relay a message that losing weight is as simple as not eating is irresponsible and it calls into question what this toy company's true intentions were.

1. Lacey, Martha De. "'Don't Eat!': Controversial 1965 Slumber Party Barbie Came with Scales Permanently Set to Just 110lbs and a Diet Book Telling Her Not to Eat." Daily Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.