Would you ever not let you child play with Barbies?

[SNK]

My Mom has always said that she feels Barbie is a unrealistic view of what a woman "should" look like and she didn't think it was a good example for me when I was little

So, I was never allowed to play with Barbies


(Funny enough... Everyone says it had the opposite effect on me considering that I am tall, have blonde hair and blue eyes and am Constantly striving to stay in shape )


Anyways... What are you opinions?

ETA: Personally, I'll allow my girls to play with them. I don't see the problem with it. I'm just trying to see other's perspectives on it...

[amy1117]

I played with Barbies all the time as a child, and NEVER felt influenced by the way they looked. Media, tv, etc. has an influence of course, but Barbies? Nah. Not on me, anyway.

If I have a daughter, she will be allowed to play with Barbies. No problem.

[felifreshh]

I will most likely not allow my girls to play with barbies.

When I was younger I always wondered why I was not as skinny as barbie. I also made barbie and ken have sex and barbie would get pregnant and then give birth.. and then get mad at the baby for crying all the time..

Not something a 5yo should be thinking about. There are plenty of other toys for my daughter to play with. Some that are educational.

Barbie is too skinny and dresses really skimpy.

[Jenn026]

Originally Posted by amy1117 I played with Barbies all the time as a child, and NEVER felt influenced by the way they looked. Media, tv, etc. has an influence of course, but Barbies? Nah. Not on me, anyway. If I have a daughter, she will be allowed to play with Barbies. No problem.

Same.

I had barbie's growing up. I played with them and I never felt like "This is how i should look when I grow up." To me it's just a toy and I would let my kids play with them. Unless i start seeing an actual negative effect, which i believe is probably rare, i don't see the problem.

[CCArmyWife]

I am glad I don't have a girl. There are so many things that can influence the way a girl feels about herself. If we ever have a girl (doubtful) I think I will stick to dolls other than barbie's. Aren't they kind of pricey anyways?

[Amberlyn]

They did make barbie a little more realistic, with the wider hips and smaller boobs, than she was when we were all younger..

I don't see the problem.. there are worse dolls than barbie out there to play with.. my kids all have played with them.. (even my son does)...

I really see much more out in the world that will influence children than a doll, and if its having that big of an impact on your child, then use that as a good time to start teaching them about real/not real, the differences in people, and if they are old enough how the media is the one saying what women should look like, not society as a whole.

[Truegrits81]

According to my daughter, she's prettier than Barbie. No problems here.

[kensington]

When I was a kid, my sister and I got Barbies for Christmas. With about 50 outfits to play with and a huge house. My mom and her friend had sat for weeks and made those clothes themselves. It was a great gift.

A few years ago... my cousin told me she had always wanted a Barbie for Christmas and never got one. So... I bought her one.

Kids see the world the way you teach them. I'd let my girl play with Barbies... I did let her. I'd give them to my grandaughter. It's a doll.

[Amberlyn]

Originally Posted by Rell According to my daughter, she's prettier than Barbie. No problems here.

thats awesome!

[moonlit-eyes]

I'll let my kids play with Barbies, because I'll also talk to them and let them know that they are beautiful so long as they're healthy.