Barbie: The Correct Message For a Target Audience

As many people would assume little girls play with Barbies and dolls, while little boys play with trucks and tools. Of course, there are exceptions to each stereotype, just as there are perfect examples of each stereotype. As a little girl I remember playing with Barbies and thinking how I want to be pretty just like them when I grow up.

The target audience for Barbies would be little girls who like to play with dolls and fit the standard stereotype previously listed. They have so many different products that are a line extension of the original Barbie dolls. For example:

http://products.howstuffworks.com/educational-electronic-toys-article.htm

A Barbie laptop to promote educational fun.

http://www.sugarscape.com/main-topics/fashion-beauty/423664/beauty-buzz-barbie-make

A Barbie makeup set, specifically targeted to an older target audience called "The Glamorous Gal."

Obviously, there is the standard Barbie doll that all us girls know and love. With all these products used to target younger girls, what does this Barbie doll image do for the girls who play with the dolls. I know many of you readers would say that I am beating a dead horse since this topic has been covered and discussed over and over again. My concern is that the way that Barbie is promoted and reaffirmed through these little girl's eyes can be done in a tasteful way and a not so tasteful way.

http://collider.com/barbie-movie-in-production-because-girls-deserve-brainless-toy-based-features-too/8107/

Instead of focusing the advertisements on clothing, fashion, hair, or makeup...consider activities. For example: skiing Barbie, gymnastics Barbie, "Fun in the Sun" Barbie. I feel if there was more emphasis in the idea of having fun playing with the Barbie instead of the way that you can make Barbie look, it would decrease the potential of having a negative effect on girl's self image.

FYI: Little fact that I found while researching for my blog are the following statistics, all found from MySistahs.com, if Barbie was a real person here would be her attributes:

1. Weight: 110 lbs
2. Bust: 38-40 inches
3. Waist: 18-24 inches
4. Hips: 33-35
5. Height: greater than 7 feet
6. Barbie would have to walk on all fours since her proportions are so unrealistic.