On the flip side, Barbie has also been touted as a beacon of
independence, dreams and female power. The doll has become a race
car driver, an astronaut and several other professions that were once
exclusively male domains. The child is free to relate to the doll in whichever
way she chooses and in this sense, Barbie becomes an opportunity for the
child to express her personality, preferences and interests.
As the eponymous doll writes in a blog post that was published after her
controversial appearance in the 50th edition of Sport Illustrated’s Swimsuit
Edition, “my bathing suit now hangs beside a Presidential power suit, Pastry
Chef hat and Astronaut gear in a wardrobe reflecting the more than 150
careers I’ve pursued to illustrate for girls that they can achieve anything for
which they aim”.
And in today’s contemporary society where the aspirations of women
are no longer hampered solely on the basis of their gender, Barbie
serves as a powerful role model to young girls that they can be anybody
they choose to be.
As Barbie says: “Today, truly anything is possible for a girl. Let us place no
limitations on her dreams, a