Recently, I received a package from Mattel as part of a campaign called “Dads Who Play Barbie.” As the father of two daughters—one nearly 8, the other almost 3—I’ve had mixed feelings about Barbie in the past. My concerns stem from the unrealistic body images and superficial narratives often tied to the brand. However, as I navigate parenting in a world saturated with Disney Princesses and Barbie dolls, I’ve come to realize I can’t completely shield my daughters from them.
When my eldest daughter, Sophie, saw the large pink box with “Barbie” emblazoned on it, she was eager to get her hands on it. I called her little sister, Lily, into the room, and together they tore it open. Inside, they found three dolls: the first was the traditional Barbie—a blonde, impossibly slender figure. The other two were quite different. One was a woman of color dressed in a doctor’s coat, and the other was labeled “curvy,” with blue hair and a more realistic body shape.
This new line of Barbies featuring diverse races, body types, and professions is a welcome change. I felt a sense of relief to see this evolution, yet I was curious about how my daughters would respond. Sophie gravitated towards the classic Barbie, almost immediately dismissing the other two. This moment made me pause. Despite my efforts to raise her with an understanding of diversity and acceptance, the pervasive cultural narrative still seemed to influence her preferences.
Sophie, petite and brown-haired, looks a lot like her mother, who stands just over 5 feet tall. I worry that she may already be internalizing societal standards of beauty and success that are narrow and unrealistic. Meanwhile, Lily didn’t hesitate; she excitedly grabbed the two diverse dolls, tearing through their packaging as if they were the most exciting toys in the world. In that instant, I felt a flicker of hope for one daughter, but concern for the other.
I know some may think I’m overreacting—parenting often magnifies our worries. Nevertheless, my greatest desire is for my daughters to be free from the constraints of unattainable beauty ideals. I want Sophie and Lily to aspire to be anything they dream of, whether it’s an astronaut or a doctor, and to celebrate the uniqueness of others.
Then, something unexpected happened. As Sophie played with her traditional Barbie and Lily engaged with her two new dolls, they eventually began to play together. This was a rare occurrence! Before long, all three dolls were part of their imaginative play.
While I don’t believe this single moment will change their perceptions entirely, it was encouraging to see my daughters enjoying dolls with different body types and backgrounds together. Small shifts like these give me hope that positive change is on the horizon.
For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog posts here. If you’re looking for resources on pregnancy, this article offers valuable information on the IVF process. And for those interested in home insemination, this site is an authority on the topic.
In summary, it’s heartening to see Mattel’s efforts to diversify Barbie, reflecting a broader range of women’s experiences. While my daughters’ views on beauty and identity are still forming, moments of play like these signal hope for a more inclusive future.