Maggie Leatherman
College Compostion and Research
Individual Summary
October 6, 2016
Summary Paragraph for “A Barbie for Every Body”
The original blonde, tall, and slim Barbie is not the iconic doll anymore. The “Barbie” image has drastically changed. Dockterman explains, “The doll can be tall, curvy, and petite all while having the same name, Barbie” (Dockterman par. 1). Mattel, the corporation that produces Barbie, decided the most infamous body needed a change. With new skin tones, hair color, and body types, the new line was not successful in its first sales. As a result, sales plunged below 20 percent in just two years. In addition, with the public obsession about the new Barbie on the shelf, creators even received death threats. Even though sales plummeted, the creators decided to stand with the new Barbie design celebrating individual body types. Dockterman clarified, “Kim Kardashian West, Beyonce, and Katy Perry promote body acceptance with their curvy bodies and chic hairstyles” (Dockterman par. 6). The creators decided the new Barbie should model these women since the doll has an influence on what young girls look at as the ideal body. The new doll is a feminist triumph. Barbie is no longer a one-size fits all; there are now different styles of clothes for each type of new doll. When the new Barbies were tested with six-year-olds, the children made fun of them at first. One child was embarrassed that some of the dolls were curvier than the others. However, when parents were asked about the Barbies, they praised them for not being the ideal girl. The parents agreed no girl is going to be perfect, and the new Barbie styles are teaching young girls they can be themselves. Furthermore, the Barbie is no longer a stereotype, and the creators of the children’s toy are going to keep promoting feminism through their new line.
College Compostion and Research
Individual Summary
October 6, 2016
Summary Paragraph for “A Barbie for Every Body”
The original blonde, tall, and slim Barbie is not the iconic doll anymore. The “Barbie” image has drastically changed. Dockterman explains, “The doll can be tall, curvy, and petite all while having the same name, Barbie” (Dockterman par. 1). Mattel, the corporation that produces Barbie, decided the most infamous body needed a change. With new skin tones, hair color, and body types, the new line was not successful in its first sales. As a result, sales plunged below 20 percent in just two years. In addition, with the public obsession about the new Barbie on the shelf, creators even received death threats. Even though sales plummeted, the creators decided to stand with the new Barbie design celebrating individual body types. Dockterman clarified, “Kim Kardashian West, Beyonce, and Katy Perry promote body acceptance with their curvy bodies and chic hairstyles” (Dockterman par. 6). The creators decided the new Barbie should model these women since the doll has an influence on what young girls look at as the ideal body. The new doll is a feminist triumph. Barbie is no longer a one-size fits all; there are now different styles of clothes for each type of new doll. When the new Barbies were tested with six-year-olds, the children made fun of them at first. One child was embarrassed that some of the dolls were curvier than the others. However, when parents were asked about the Barbies, they praised them for not being the ideal girl. The parents agreed no girl is going to be perfect, and the new Barbie styles are teaching young girls they can be themselves. Furthermore, the Barbie is no longer a stereotype, and the creators of the children’s toy are going to keep promoting feminism through their new line.
Works Cited
Dockterman, Eliana. “A Barbie For Every Body.” Time , 8 Feb. 2016, pp. 46–51. Opposing Viewpoints in Context [Gale].
Dockterman, Eliana. “A Barbie For Every Body.” Time , 8 Feb. 2016, pp. 46–51. Opposing Viewpoints in Context [Gale].