Over the course of her 52 year reign we’ve seen Barbie do it all. She’s been a doctor, model, pilot and mother. She’s been African American, Hispanic, and Asian, worn the latest designers, gone hip hop and most recently she’s sported tattoos. However, one thing we haven’t seen from this plastic do it all diva is a plus size Barbie. Barbie dolls are known for having unrealistically tiny waists, huge boobs and heels that never touch the ground, but considering Barbie often reflects the world around us wouldn’t one think there would be a plus sized version of the doll? Could they, do they exist? Sure do.
According to The Huffington Post, Daily Venus Diva magazine did a little digging and found that a few curvy Barbie dolls do exist. The article states:
“Turning up in Daily Venus Diva’s search was an Effie from “Dreamgirls” doll, whose memorable curves are clad in a glam brown gown; a Rosie O’Donnell Barbie, who wears the sort of baggy blazer the real-life TV host sports; and The Emme Doll, made to resemble plus-size model Emme Aronson. Then there’s the curious “Ciotka Kena” Barbie, which in Polish means’ “Ken’s Aunt.” Apparently in Poland, Ken has an aunt with voluminous blonde hair and a white lace teddy — and real-woman curves.”
The article also raises a valid question, with more than half of the adults and children in this country falling into the obese category, doe we really need a plus size Barbie? Would creating a plus size Barbie promote obesity? A plus sized doll couldn’t possibly do any more to promote unhealthy body images than the current Barbie and its clearly unrealistic measurements, or could it?
Does the world really need a plus sized Barbie? Do you think it would promote unhealthy body images? Would you buy one?
This brings up a good point… “Regular” barbie has frequently been labeled as unrealistic, so it seems like a plus-size barbie would be better. But since obesity isn’t healthy either, maybe a plus-size barbie isn’t so good afterall. Don’t you think they can make a “real” size barbie with some curves without her being obese? None of the barbies presented above look obese to me.
Plus size does not equal obese.
The question is really moot, since the Emme doll is no longer in production, and even when it was, the cheapest version retailed for $100. The more interesting question is: Why was the doll a failure?
Wonderful points altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What could you recommend about your put up that you made a few days ago? Any certain?
I don’t think a plus size doll would contribute to the obesity problem. Its an issue far more multifaceted than a doll. I like the dolls above because none of them look obese, but overweight. It makes sense to have a realistic doll. The dolls were likely unsuccessful because most overweight people, especially women, want to lose weight. What message does that woman send her child by purchasing that doll? Some may see it as encouraging obesity. However, the typical Barbie clearly doesn’t prevent it.
I think plus size barbies would be great! The way society portrays beauty so harshly thin that teen girls are starving themselves to look like the skeleton sized models on TV. Look at some of the gorgeous plus sized women around. I am a solid 165 lbs and proud! Plus sized dolls won’t premote obesity, it will show all the thicker young girls out there that big can be beautiful! I strongly agree with the idea.
The Barbies on that list aren’t obese. But I don’t think that making overweight Barbies is the answer. If you have scary-skinny Barbies, and Barbies that are just a bit overweight (Some on that list were actually not overweight.) then what girls will just want to be healthy? They should make a normal sized, healthy, Barbie. And if they get really successful, maybe even take the typical Barbie off the market. And a couple of the Barbies on that list really were normal sized, but just a bit on the larger side, and I don’t think society is ready for that just yet. Ease them into a normal sized Barbie.
I’d definitely buy a plus size barbie. It would fit right in with our barbie family better than the skinny mummy doll she has now. I would love to buy her dolls that represent her family better. I would also like older dolls, there’s only one option for grandma which doesn’t look anything like either of her grandmas. It would be great to have realistic diversity conveyed through an iconic doll that is barbie. If that happened I’d probably be buying 3 times as many dolls as I do now. I am sure there’s a market for it.
i think barbie should be all sizes slim, athletic, plus, realistic curvy, all children should have dolls in like of themselves, if barbie can be all races then why not all sizes? and how is it related to obesity? its about boosting childrens confidence and moral not giving them body images as children larger doesn’t mean obese plenty of women of all sizes, shapes, and races are perfectly normal, healthy and beautiful and not a size 2 with big boobs!