Barbie

[Samantha's pet]

If Barbie causes eating disorder I should be WAY thinner.

That's clearly not what I'm trying to say. I don't think it's that extreme or black and white. There are several reasons, all that I have stated, that I don't like her. The potential body image issues are one of many but I never said "causes eating disorders". I actually didn't mention eating disorders at all.

 

[darkchild16]

for me I dont ban until there is a issue. The ones we had just continued since they never watched it or had him anyway so they dont ask and we dont offer.

 

[Greenmagick]

Barbie does set an impossible ideal...the perfect body and clothes, the dream house, car, etc etc. Now, yes, its supposed to be fun and imaginary but for come children it does blur the lines. I think most parents who ban them would probably never see those issues as they are aware of them and talk to their kids though

I see nothing wrong with not supporting the "Barbie" world. I personally have issues with banning things like toys etc BUT if I were to ban, Barbie would be one I would consider for sure.

 

[puppydog]

That's clearly not what I'm trying to say. I don't think it's that extreme or black and white. There are several reasons, all that I have stated, that I don't like her. The potential body image issues are one of many but I never said "causes eating disorders". I actually didn't mention eating disorders at all.

It was a joke, quite clearly actually.

As for the impossible ideal, I would kill for a pink pony with wings and a rainbow mane, aint gonna happen.

Its FANTASY!

 

[Samantha's pet]

Well, I hope to avoid any issues all together. And really, it's just a toy. I am not denying her something she NEEDS. One toy out of all the toys in the world. Even if I am going overboard that is my right as a parent. If I am being overprotective about this one thing I don't think it will cause any permanent damage. I am uncomfortable with the doll, it's my house, I'm the adult, I win, lol. I am responsible for her well-being and maybe I take that job too seriously but she will understand one day and she won't suffer much from not being allowed one certain toy. Believe me, she is plenty spoiled.

That is my perspective on it. I am not generally an overprotective parent. Banning a certain toy is pretty out of character for me so I think this one thing won't be too much of an issue.

 

[puppydog]

No one is trying to change your mind? You asked our opinions.

 

[Samantha's pet]

Barbie does set an impossible ideal...the perfect body and clothes, the dream house, car, etc etc. Now, yes, its supposed to be fun and imaginary but for come children it does blur the lines. I think most parents who ban them would probably never see those issues as they are aware of them and talk to their kids though

I see nothing wrong with not supporting the "Barbie" world. I personally have issues with banning things like toys etc BUT if I were to ban, Barbie would be one I would consider for sure.

I agree that parents go nuts with the "bans". I debated about it. I decided this is the one I would allow myself. I definitely plan to get rid of all my old Barbies and never to spend my own money on them. I also plan to encourage the alternative dolls I found. Now, I haven't decided what to do about gifts, or her buying them with her own money. I might can deal with the odd, stray Barbie here and there but she won't have an entire Barbie world with the cars and dream house like I did.

 

[Samantha's pet]

No one is trying to change your mind? You asked our opinions.

I realize that. Generally when people debate you continue to support your opinion through out the conversation by countering their "argument". I wanted to add some more of my thoughts that relate to others reasons for not banning Barbie. And I am admittedly insecure about this decision as it is a big step for me and not something I would normally do but I feel good abovenom.

Even though it was a "joke" you were still implying that I was saying Barbie causes eating disorders. Either that or your "joke" was just completely pointless and irrelevant.

 

[Kaydee]

I still resent that when i was a kid I had Barbie and my cousin had GI Joe. Fashion didn't do it for me, I wanted action figures. But my Mom had a thing about girl toys and boy toys. So Barbe was usually naked and rescuing other dolls.
Emmy doesn't have the fine motor coordination to dress Barbie easily so we have the Squinkie nation instead...pain to get out of the vacum...

 

[Laurelin]

I would not ban a toy, especially one that is so popular because they will see it around anyways with their friends (and if they're like me they'll get barbies or barbie type dolls as gifts all the time). What is 'forbidden' is also what intrigues kids the most. I think for most kids any 'sexualizing' of barbie is going to go over their head to be honest.

 

[puppydog]

Most jokes are pointless and irrelevant dear.

 

[Samantha's pet]

As for the impossible ideal, I would kill for a pink pony with wings and a rainbow mane, aint gonna happen.

Its FANTASY!

There is a huge difference in pretend and forcing ideals through toys and characters. You could use the pretend argument to make any toy okay. Dead Barbie, ax murderer Barbie, S&M Barbie, Black gang member Barbie. All of those would be offensive so the fantasy argument doesn't fly with me. There is definitely a sexual theme to Barbie (maybe more subtle than S&M Barbie, lol) that I am just not okay with.

 

[Samantha's pet]

Most jokes are pointless and irrelevant dear.

I disagree. Most jokes like that are trying to demonstrate a point. And then people wanna hide behind the fact that it was a "joke" so they don't have to defend their position.

 

[ACooper]

I am the very first in line to say people have to raise their children how they see fit (barring abuse of course) Teach the values and morals you want taught, teach the level of respect for themselves, and others you feel is right, etc. You brought them into the world, you are responsible for their actions until they reach a majority, nobody will care for and love them like you do.

If there is a toy, band, video game, movie, clothing......WHATEVER you feel is counter productive to the goal you are trying to achieve in raising your child, I have no issue saying BAN IT.

Though (as mentioned I think), in most forbidding/banning cases, it makes something seem so much more interesting than it would have, LOL

 

[Samantha's pet]

I would not ban a toy, especially one that is so popular because they will see it around anyways with their friends (and if they're like me they'll get barbies or barbie type dolls as gifts all the time). What is 'forbidden' is also what intrigues kids the most. I think for most kids any 'sexualizing' of barbie is going to go over their head to be honest.

That's another reason I am considering allowing the gifts but not encouraging them or spending our money on them. I see the "forbidden" point. I definitely did notice the sexual theme as a kid but I guess most kids won't. I guess I am
Just wondering why that has to be part of a kids toy.

 

[~Jessie~]

I would not ban a toy, especially one that is so popular because they will see it around anyways with their friends (and if they're like me they'll get barbies or barbie type dolls as gifts all the time). What is 'forbidden' is also what intrigues kids the most. I think for most kids any 'sexualizing' of barbie is going to go over their head to be honest.

I didn't even like Barbie (like I said, except for a few months!), and I always ended up getting Barbies as presents! It seems to be the "go to" gift for little girls.

 

[sparks19]

Barbie does set an impossible ideal...the perfect body and clothes, the dream house, car, etc etc. Now, yes, its supposed to be fun and imaginary but for come children it does blur the lines. I think most parents who ban them would probably never see those issues as they are aware of them and talk to their kids though

I see nothing wrong with not supporting the "Barbie" world. I personally have issues with banning things like toys etc BUT if I were to ban, Barbie would be one I would consider for sure.

see this is the key....

Talking to your kids.

whether you ban them or not you're still going to have to have the body issue talk at some point. If Hannah is curious or has questions or concerns about one of her toys I'll do my very best to answer them. I think most every parent is aware of the issues whether they ban toys or not. it's about talking about it with your kids

My MIL is always saying "Hannah can't be a princess forever though". Well first of all technically she could be a princess lol and second of all she understands perfectly well that she's not actually a princess and that pretend is pretend. She also pretends to be a super hero (her super name is Super Puttity... don't ask... I don't know the answer to where she came up with that name lol) but I'm not worried she's about to go throw herself off a building thinking she can fly. She understands the difference between real and make believe. but for now... why can't she be a princess sometimes or a super hero sometimes? There are so few precious years where she will have this beautiful imagination before it's ruined by reality and adulthood lol


So if she were to have issues with how Barbie looks vs how she looks we would talk about it. That's really the key to everything.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

The one thing I will not allow my kids to play with is guns of any types. The sight of them pointing guns at each other & the pleasure that comes with being able to "kill" one another off is not something I'd like to see nor encourage.

I don't like barbies either because I do think they give kids the wrong ideas about what beauty is supposed to be. I would not choose to buy barbies to my daughters on my own, but if they were wishing for it, then I would give, but will make sure to teach them that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes

 

[Miakoda]

I had a single Barbie: Western Barbie. I only had her because she came with one of the Barbie horses, and being a complete insane horse fanatic, I didn't discriminate against brands/types of horses.

But I dislike Barbie as well. She just creeps me out.

And don't even get me started on those Bratz dolls and Monster High dolls. Those things need to be burned.

 

[~Jessie~]

There is a huge difference in pretend and forcing ideals through toys and characters. You could use the pretend argument to make any toy okay. Dead Barbie, ax murderer Barbie, S&M Barbie, Black gang member Barbie. All of those would be offensive so the fantasy argument doesn't fly with me. There is definitely a sexual theme to Barbie (maybe more subtle than S&M Barbie, lol) that I am just not okay with.

Barbie can be whoever you want her to be. In all honesty, I NEVER saw any sexual undertones as a kid. She was just a doll... I could put her in whatever outfit I wanted, and she could do whatever I felt like making her do. I didn't even think she was pretty, nor did I think she was "ideal" looking.

Heck, there's even computer engineer Barbie:

There doesn't have to be an S&M Barbie unless YOU want there to be one.

I just don't think banning Barbie is an answer to anything. Like others have mentioned, forbidden fruit is the sweetest.