Glitz, glamor, glitter: Barbie movie encourages girls to own their femininity
Barbie culture has allowed women to express themselves in places where femininity may not have been traditionally accepted.
All Barbie girls in their Barbie world will emerge pretty in pink for the new Barbie movie, set to release on July 21, 2023. As stated by Time Magazine, the movie is a revival of female-empowering culture, both in Hollywood and the hearts of women, globally. But this isn’t the first time that Barbie has allowed women to be themselves in a masculine-dominant world.
The first Barbie doll was introduced to the market in March 1959, and quickly grew into a global phenomenon. The Smithsonian reports that in the first year of production, Mattel sold 300,000 Barbies. As she grew in popularity, the Mattel company began to release Barbie dolls that pursued different careers; Astronaut Barbie, President Barbie, and even Scuba Diver Barbie.
As a young girl, I had three loyal Barbies and with my imagination and my Dreamhouse playset, I felt that Barbie was able to do the impossible. She could be pretty and powerful, despite the common belief that women had to choose between the two. This breaking of stereotypes is a core reason behind the insurgence of Barbie craze. It has provided an opportunity for the women who have grown up playing with Barbies to reconnect with their inner child and allow themselves to own their pink in a world of black and white conformity to the expectations of hiding their femininity.
While Barbies are an inspiration to women, outlets such as Teen Vogue criticize that Barbies can be a negative role model to girls by creating issues with body images and playing into the stereotypes that media outlets have created. However, Barbie is way more than that. Rather than being a follower, she has carved her own path into society. By having these careers and promoting an ‘independent-girl’ lifestyle, she has normalized women being in a ‘male-only’ workforce. She has debunked the ‘blonde’ stereotype and allowed women to feel that they can walk into a room full of men, wearing a manicured pink suit, and still be the boss.
So as many patiently wait for the release date, understand that this is more than just a movie. It is a reminder for women to own their femininity and be themselves, to challenge misconceptions and connect with their pink-obsessed inner child. To unapologetically be a Barbie in their Barbie world.
“You can be anything!” – Barbie