You owned a Barbie? Me too! Today, 85% of American girls ages 3 to 10 currently own at least one Barbie. And I am so happy to see that Mattel has finally made some moves to recognize beautiful woman are not all 5’9″ and weigh 110 pounds.
Based on a European call-girl character, Barbie first graced the shelves in America in 1959. For nearly 60 years she has been the iconic definition of beautiful; a doll whose proportions are virtually impossible to obtain. While the original Barbie will still be available, the new Barbies have three versions – curvy, tall and petite. Curvy Barbie is slightly plumper, with wider hips, thighs and calves. Her face is also fuller. While these new shapes don’t encompass every body shape, it is a stride forward in communicating with our daughters and granddaughters that beautiful comes in many colors and sizes.
While this is a very long time to have a toy with so much prominence in our culture influencing the way we have felt about our bodies, our hair, ourselves – it is a major victory for girls moving forward. It’s a new opportunity for us as women of the 21st century to keep the conversation of beautiful moving from one size for all to one size fits all. We’re told in Ecclesiastes, God made all things beautiful.
That includes you. It includes me. It includes our friends, our daughters and every human that He has made in His own image.
Don’t stop sharing with the women in your life the truth: we are amazingly and remarkably made and now we finally have a doll that can help. I don’t think this Barbie will simply take off. It will take moms, grandmas and aunts who will be brave enough to push past original Barbie and usher in a new normal.
The book winners from last week’s posts are:
“His Revolutionary Love” from “Getting Your Girl Ready for Valentine’s Day” – Susan G. who posted on January 27th at 4:34 p.m.
“Meet the New You” from 4 Keys Steps toward Real Life Change is Shasta who posted on January 29th at 10:32 a.m.
Please forward me your full name and address to Lynn@LynnCowell.com and I’ll get them shipped right out!
I didn’t and wouldn’t own a Barbie because she way way too beautiful for me as a youngster. So happy they have updated her and give little girls a better impression of women. A victory.
That’s how I feel, Dot! More options for the coming generation!
I wish I had a variety of barbies to choose from as I was growing up. It would have made it so much easier. Society tries to make it hard to just be yourself.
Hmmmm…. I wonder if they will make new shapes for Ken? lol
Great point, Shasta! It’s not just a girl thing, is it! I mean really – a 6 pack? 🙂