I was a Barbie girl growing up, I admit it. I just had the one, but she did everything. She was a doctor, a scientist, a vet (occasionally), and a spy. I was brought up with feminist priciples, even though I didn't know that's what they were.
So, I love the idea of the new Barbie doll, a computer engineer. That's what I am after all, in my other off-line life. According to Mattel, Computer Engineer Barbie will come with a pink laptop and case, pink bluetooth earpiece, a pink flat watch and a smartphone (presumably pink). She's wearing skinny shiny pants, a top decorated with binary code and glasses, great shape but also pink.
Would I wear any of her clothes? The pants, maybe. But nothing else; I hate pink with a pasion. Would I use her tech? No, it's also in pink. Is that the point? No, it's not.
It doesn't matter what I think, or what I would wear as a female computer engineer. What matters is what a little girl, age 5 and up, thinks a computer engineer should wear. Little girls like pink (are forced to like pink I should say as there are no other colour choices).
Would a little girl like this Computer Engineer Barbie? Absolutely. Would I buy my daughter one? Absolutely (when she's old enough). I'd rather she have a computer engineer Barbie than a Bratz.
And I love that Barbie is wearing glasses. What better positive re-inforcement for a little girl who might have to wear glasses than a glamorous pair on a glamorous doll.
Did you have a Barbie doll? And would you have liked this one?
Original story via The Register.
3 comments:
I had a few Barbie dolls, but I probably wouldn't have been very interested in this one - I was all about the ballgowns and sparkle when it came to my Barbie clothes. The bigger and fluffier the skirts the better. I wanted ballerina Barbies and Disney Princess Barbies and bride Barbies - because of their outfits. But I wasn't a girly girl, I was the opposite, usually dressed in jeans and t-shirts. I just liked the fantasy, I didn't want it in real life!
I also think it's great that she's wearing glasses. I might have liked that as a kid, but again maybe not. I didn't personally mind having to wear glasses, but I got teased for it at school.
Hi Icy,
I did not hear about this barbie before, but I think it is awesome! I loved playing with barbies and presumably they have a great influence on little girls. Seems like finally Mattel realized that. I hope that they will sell good enough for following-up models - as there are still too many glitzer-ballerina-barbies in the shelves!
Lilly
Hi Julianne, thanks for visiting. Fair enough about the wanting the fantasy. I liked to dress my doll up too, but didn't have a lot of options.
I wore glasses since I was 5 and also got teased. I like the idea of the glasses, but would I have just though the Barbie was daggy too for having glasses? Not sure.
Hiya Lilly,
I'm glad there is more range rather than just the princesses. I like princesses too, but I want more. And thanks for dropping by.
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