Barbie gets dirrty…Critics label her ‘filthy’
Barbie’s taking a walk on the wild side — in a black leather body suit, black boots and gloves and fishnet hose. I bet Ken’s really sorry she dumped him now.
Mattel unveiled their latest headline-grabbing Barbie, based on the Black Canary comic book character, at the toy show in New York. According to the Barbie Collectors site, super heroine Black Canary is known for her martial-arts skills and her “Canary Cry” — a high powered, sonic scream with the ability to shatter objects and incapacitate villains.
The doll will be released in September and has already prompted this cover in the London tabloid “The Sun:” “S&M Barbie lashed by the public.”
The story quotes British religious group Christian Voice as saying:
“Barbie has always been on the tarty side and this is taking it too far. A children’s doll in sexually suggestive clothing is irresponsible - it’s filth.”
But the doll’s got some new fans, too. Several fetish and bondage sites have hailed her arrival. That should be enough to let any parent with a set of eyes and working brain realize that this isn’t the best toy for their young child.
Reportedly, Wal-Mart will carry this doll. Given the company’s conservative corporate image, I wonder how this will play out with parents who regularly shop there. Does this doll even belong in the toy aisle where little Madison will see her next to Barbie Mariposa, a fairy with wings?
Mattel may be appealling to collectors and comic book fans and, let’s be honest, a few in the kinky crowd, but they’re also alienating their core buyers. In 2002, the company launched Catwoman Barbie - dressed head-to-toe in leather and brandishing a whip. This was on the heels of “Math is hard!” Barbie.
And the reason Barbie scandals evoke such a response is because she’s the iconic girl toy. When she dresses like a stripper, she’s inspiring a whole legion of little girls who want to look like kinderwhores.
Aisha covered education and breaking news for nearly ten years before joining the Lifestyle staff where she writes a "Dirty Laundry" parenting column. She is the home and family editor and wastes too much time on Facebook and political blogs. 
‘When she dresses like a stripper, she’s inspiring a whole legion of little girls who want to look like kinderwhores.’ Too True
I consider myself a progressive, alright, actually, a liberal, and this whole ‘Barbie’ craze is derogatory to women. A real life woman with Barbie’s figure would not be able to walk, much less stand up. I never allowed ‘Barbie dolls’ in my house. This S&M ‘Barbie’ is going too far. What will they think of next?
Its about time they did something for the Dads! Whooohoooo!!!
Wives take notice!!!
When you go to the Barbie Collectors site that Aisha posted, click on Barbie Loves Pop Culture. Plenty more dolls prior to this one with a similar message.
This is not an “S & M” Barbie, and those that classify it as such are nothing but ignorant reactionaries. I won’t get into the Barbie versus feminism angle in general but I’ll point one thing out. Barbie has often produced “influenced” dolls based on some licensing agreement or event. It may be McDonalds Barbie or Gone With the Wind Barbie. This is absolutely no different. Black Canary has been around, wearing fishnets mind you, since the 40’s and 50’s. I know its only a comic angle, but Canary just became the first official female leader of the iconic Justice League. It’s one of those silly trivial comic points like Superman or Captain America dying, but at the same time it should be noted that the character is a strong female leader and no just some sex pot.
If you don’t care to study the situation fully, shut up. Otherwise you sound like a moron.
And yet, Barbie’s still much better than a Bratz doll…
I believe the commonly used word is prostitot
The uproar is great press for Mattel. I personally think it’s nonsense that people would be upset over this. It’s a special collector’s doll. If you don’t like this particular one for your kids, then don’t get it. If you are really that wound tight that you are going to ban Barbies from your house because of some moral issue, so be it. Probably the same group of people that take issue with several other things in life on a daily basis.
As for the issue of dimensions for Barbies not being real life…it’s the same with boy toys as well. For example, the Power of the Force Star Wars line prior to Episode I coming out had Pujols/McGwire like figures. Sorry son, daddy doesn’t look like that so you can’t play with those. As a matter of fact, those Playmobil characters look a bit stiff too…Go outside and jump around in a circle instead. The Scarlett figure of the current GI Joe line looks like she has scoliosis… maybe Hasbro isn’t being sensitive enough.
Maybe parents should be more concerned about not leaving their 11 month old child in a pool by themselves, to go to the bathroom???
I have to agree with the post that it is still better than the Bratz dolls!
Reality check - Barbie has been around for decades. Adults collect them & I’m sure this is the target market for this doll.
I don’t have a problem with my daughter playing with Barbie. I played with them & did not have issues due to her proportions. Besides, my dd can look at me & her friend’s mothers to see reality any old time she wants.
Come on, would you really buy this for a young child? If so, then perhaps the problem lies with the parent.
Kinderwhores? IMO it is up to the parents to keep their children dressing/acting appropriately. It isn’t Mattels’ responsibility.
First let me start by saying, “I am not a prude”. However, these images cannot help but be harmful to little girls’ image of what a woman should be. Plain and simple. NO redeeming value whatsover. Don’t market it in the toy isle, if you want to focus on the fetish crowd. They will find it if they want it.
I’m an open minded person who believes alternative lifestyles are just an added bonus to our culture, but when it comes to kids it makes no sense to bring sexual imagery into play. Does Mattel like to encourage low self esteem, unrealistic body images (which as a result could lead to anorexia), and sexuality in children? Because Barbie has seem to always set out to encourage these things. It isn’t so much that she has this unrealistic figure, but the fact that repeatedly she’s been dressed up in clothing children should not be wearing. Are they marketing these dolls to adults and we’ve just gotten it all wrong? I don’t think so.
If you’re going to make a doll for kids, don’t put clothes on it you wouldn’t let your kids wear. I’d be seriously concerned if these toy manufacturers have children and be investigating whether or not those kids are safe right about now..