Growing up, we as little girls were always taught that everyone comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s something we know to be true still today, but it was hard hearing that when the dolls you played with had basically one body type: tall blondes, extremely thin with a large and perky chest, out of proportion on such a slim body. Barbies and my favorite as a child, Bratz dolls, sent little girls the wrong message by being so “perfect”. What little girl didn’t want to look just like their Barbie with a tiny waste and big boobs, or Bratz doll full of caked on makeup just like the movie stars?
This week I was so happy to see that Barbie came out with a new line of dolls in their #TheDollsEvolve campaign. Their site states, “Girls everywhere now have infinitely more ways to play out their stories and spark their imaginations through Barbie. Along with more overall diversity, we proudly add three new body types to our line”.
Barbies will now consist of dolls with 4 body types (curvy, tall, petite, and original), 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. They also partnered with “best in class role models” to provide new lines such as President and Vice President dolls, and Game Developer dolls. Now little girls can have more to look forward to in their education and careers than just ending up in their own version of a Barbie Dream House.
I find this SO exciting, not because I’m going to go run out and play with them, but because I am so glad that little girls today can feel comfort in having their Barbie look like them, or their older sister, or their mom. The women that they truly look up to and want to be.
Every girl should feel beautiful, and every girl should play with dolls that are diverse and look different from one another. This will help young girls feel comfortable when they’re with friends who look different from them. Diversity should be celebrated, and Barbie has finally caught on. It seems like a small change but it really is going to help girls’ self-esteem and I am so proud of Barbie for making this much needed change.