Amy Lu's View

Can Barbie subvert the patriarchy? Perhaps, especially as imagined in the new Barbie movie. 

But based on my childhood experience, I know one force that Barbie can’t overcome: a bossy older cousin, at least when that cousin is me. 

I was way into Barbie as a kid. I inherited several from my older sister, Jenn, and acquired many of my own.

I don’t remember ever finding baby dolls all that interesting although I dearly loved a “My Friend Mandy” doll. Just like the girls in the Barbie movie opening, Barbie was exciting because I didn’t have to mother her, but I could pretend to be her, and imagine seemingly endless possibilities for the adult life I might one day lead. 

Well, endless within parameters. At some point–I think I was 9ish–I devised the rule that Barbie could have any profession, but once that profession was declared, Barbie had to live within the means of that career. 

This rule meant that when I was playing Barbies with my younger cousin Sara (my main Barbie buddy) and Sara decided her Barbie was a teacher, I told Sara she couldn’t dress her Barbie in certain outfits “because teachers don’t make enough money to afford clothes like that.” 

Yeah, if you’re thinking that kid Amy didn’t really get “playing” I’m not going to argue with you. (Adult Amy continues to be not so great with play). Or maybe I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder as my mom was a teacher, and perhaps I was looking for “Teacher Barbie” to have to buy her own classroom supplies. 

Now I find it paradoxical–or maybe hypocritical–that I was trying to be so reality-based with my Barbies, when I often shake my head sadly at those I find “too literal” or who can’t suspend their disbelief. 

Luckily, Sara didn’t seem too annoyed by my rigidness and I remember us spending many hours happily playing Barbie. Along with several Barbies and an array of Barbie clothes suitable for many income levels, I was lucky enough to have a Barbie camper* and a Barbie swimming pool (even if my brother dubbed it the “Barbie cesspool” because of all the pet fur and whatnot that always ended up in it). 

I was even able to laugh the afternoon that Sara and I returned from an outing with my mom to find our Barbies strung up in a mass hanging with a suicide note that read “We couldn’t stand being Amy and Sara’s Barbies anymore.” Ah, the joys of having an older brother and sister. (Again, I don’t think Sara was phased by this–I think she was used to my family’s weird brand of humor). 

While I wasn’t interested in having my Barbies be teachers, my two favorite Barbie “games” were putting on weddings and talent shows. Yes, I loved to have my Barbies performing, which certainly seems to demonstrate my love of attention started early. 

My Barbie weddings were perhaps even a little radical–I always had Barbie be the officiant, even though women were not allowed to be ministers in the church of my youth. Maybe I was just being practical, as I owned way more Barbies than Kens, so had to save Ken for the groom (I definitely wasn’t progressive enough as a kid to have a wedding with two brides). 

Although I have many fond memories of playing with Barbies, I certainly get why people feel Barbie is problematic. Barbie was fun and helped me while away the hours on the tundra, and inspired my imagination and creativity (and bossiness). And yet, I’m also rather materialistic and indulge in overconsumption, and I would never point to myself as an example of someone with a healthy body self-image. Is that all Barbie’s fault? Of course not, but it seems likely that my Barbie exposure is a contributing factor to these patriarchal and capitalistic foibles. 

If Mattel does ever make Self Doubt Barbie, I think it will be a hit with people of all ages and genders. I know I will want one, and I’ll even let her wear whatever (environmentally sustainable, fair trade) outfit she wants, regardless of her profession (or lack thereof). 

*I learned from Google that I had the “Barbie Star Traveller Motor Home.” Wow, I don’t think I ever knew it had such a magical sounding name!