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Barbie Banned in West Virginia?
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
It's such a shame that, after 50 years, yet another Barbie boycott is on the horizon. Sure, generations of parents have refused to forgive the doll's blatant disregard for real women's figures. But here's one lawmaker in West Virginia ready to take the burden of banning Barbie off of parents and onto the state. Lincoln County Delegate Jeff Eldridge has introduced legislation that would outlaw the sale of Barbie dolls in his state.
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Eldridge's colleague, Kanawha County Delegate Nancy Peoples Guthrie, appreciates his concern but doesn't think his bill stands a chance. "I think that it's nice to have a male member of the House of Delegates worried about women's image and what they're supposed to do or what they think they're supposed to do to succeed," she says. "My sense is that this is probably not a bill that's going to pass." Ya think?
If we are going to start banning the sale of playthings that send the wrong message to girls, why stop with Barbie? Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five other contenders for the worst dolls ever.
Bratz. With creepy detachable feet, oversized heads and blown up lips, these dolls make Barbie look downright plain. The slight resemblance of the two dolls didn't escape Mattel's notice. Last December a California judge ruled for an immediate stop production and recall. Mattel was awarded $100 million for copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Sunshine Caylee. Thanks to public outrage, this morbid little doll has yet to hit the shelves. Intended as a tribute to slain Caylee Anthony, it instead fueled protests, petitions and a collective gasp of horror that sent Showbiz Promotions back to the drawing board. "We're going to see if we can present it in a more classy and sensitive fashion," says the company's president.
Hello Kitty. She started out innocent enough, but over the years her reputation has suffered. Once a sweet little feline popular for her stickers and lunchboxes, she can now be found promoting sexy lingerie, men's underwear and even guns. In her latest incarnation, she is a "sexy siren" pushing cosmetics for MAC.
American Girl. I know they are supposed to "celebrate a girl's inner star", but what they really do is separate the haves from the have-nots. At about $100 each, a parent could spend a small fortune on a collection that doesn't even include outfits, hair appointments (for real) and best friends. The books are great. The dolls, not so much.
Webkinz. As a parent who has given in to the Webkinz whine more times than I care to admit, I long for the day when these furry little things fall out of favor. Once that tag is off and the new acquisition is logged in online, the toys themselves cease to be of any use whatsoever. Unless you consider dust-collecting useful.
Can you add to our Worst Doll List?
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Eldridge's colleague, Kanawha County Delegate Nancy Peoples Guthrie, appreciates his concern but doesn't think his bill stands a chance. "I think that it's nice to have a male member of the House of Delegates worried about women's image and what they're supposed to do or what they think they're supposed to do to succeed," she says. "My sense is that this is probably not a bill that's going to pass." Ya think?
Trouble in Toy Land
Barbie In 1989, the Barbie Liberation Organization took Mattel to task for their Teen-Talk Barbie, which intoned the infamous words, "Math is hard." To teach Mattel a lesson, they switched dozens of Teen-Talk Barbie voice boxes with those from Talking Duke G.I. Joe dolls.
Getty Images
Bratz Although the low-rise jeans-wearing dolls are meant for girls between the ages of 7 to 12-years-old, preschool girls have been toting these luscious-lipped curvaceous toys, causing an outrage among parents and toy watchdog groups. In 2006, a Harvard group, in collaboration with Dads and Daughters, pressured Hasbro to stop production on a Bratz line based on the super-sexy girl group Pussycat Dolls in 2006.
Getty Images
Easy-Bake Oven A popular toy since the '50s, you'd think that Hasbro would've gotten the kinks out of the play oven by now. In July 2007 the toy company recalled the new version of the oven after more than 200 kids got their fingers stuck in the oven's door and 77 kids reported being burned from the device.
AP
Aqua Dots It's never a good idea to eat your toys, especially if they're Aqua Dots. In 2007, there were several cases of kids vomiting or falling into a coma after ingesting the beads. And, scientists found that the toy's coating contained a chemical that turns into the "date rape" drug Rohypnol after digestion. The arts and crafts beads were pulled off U.S. shelves immediately after the discovery.
AP
Scrabulous When RJ Softwares developed Scrabulous for Facebook it attracted a half-million players daily, prompting Scrabble maker Hasbro to slap the India-based company with a fat lawsuit claiming Scrabulous stole "intelligent software" including the game's trademark name. (The suit has since been dropped.)
Getty Images
Super Columbine Massacre RPG When tragedy hits, it's usually a good idea to downplay it and let wounds heal--not create a video game about the disaster. Despite the negative reaction by the survivors and victims' families, the game is still available online.
AP
Tickle Me Elmo In 2006, love for Tickle Me Elmo turned ugly at a Target in Tampa, Fla., when a man threatened another customer with his life. The guy told the shopper he had a gun and wasn't afraid to use it if he didn't get the Elmo doll. And it looks like Elmo isn't that innocent after all: That same year, some copies of the "Potty Time with Elmo" interactive book contained a button that said," Who wants to die?"
AP
Grand Theft Auto The game's in-your-face violence and sex has been highly scrutinized by parent groups. And controversy sparked when 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas game contained sexually explicit mini-games that could be unlocked with a code. Versions of the game have already been banned in Thailand and Australia.
Getty Images
The SockObama In June 2008, the blogosphere fumed about a sock monkey doll made to look like Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. Although the doll may have been described as "firm but huggable," the doll's production was stopped after a couple of weeks after critics said the doll had racist undertones.
nymag.com
Furby No one's too sure exactly what a Furby is. However, in early 1999, The National Security Agency put employees under "Furby Alert" and requiring that employees keep their Furbies at home. It turns out the furry toy contains a computer chip that can potentially record classified information.
AP
If we are going to start banning the sale of playthings that send the wrong message to girls, why stop with Barbie? Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five other contenders for the worst dolls ever.
Bratz. With creepy detachable feet, oversized heads and blown up lips, these dolls make Barbie look downright plain. The slight resemblance of the two dolls didn't escape Mattel's notice. Last December a California judge ruled for an immediate stop production and recall. Mattel was awarded $100 million for copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Sunshine Caylee. Thanks to public outrage, this morbid little doll has yet to hit the shelves. Intended as a tribute to slain Caylee Anthony, it instead fueled protests, petitions and a collective gasp of horror that sent Showbiz Promotions back to the drawing board. "We're going to see if we can present it in a more classy and sensitive fashion," says the company's president.
Hello Kitty. She started out innocent enough, but over the years her reputation has suffered. Once a sweet little feline popular for her stickers and lunchboxes, she can now be found promoting sexy lingerie, men's underwear and even guns. In her latest incarnation, she is a "sexy siren" pushing cosmetics for MAC.
American Girl. I know they are supposed to "celebrate a girl's inner star", but what they really do is separate the haves from the have-nots. At about $100 each, a parent could spend a small fortune on a collection that doesn't even include outfits, hair appointments (for real) and best friends. The books are great. The dolls, not so much.
Webkinz. As a parent who has given in to the Webkinz whine more times than I care to admit, I long for the day when these furry little things fall out of favor. Once that tag is off and the new acquisition is logged in online, the toys themselves cease to be of any use whatsoever. Unless you consider dust-collecting useful.
Can you add to our Worst Doll List?
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ReaderComments (Page 3 of 7)
3-05-2009 @ 8:01AM
Frostie said...He is dumber than the doll.
It would be West Virgina that would come up with something so stupid.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:02AM
lostdaze18 said...The Barbie doesn't promote anything more than all the models and celebrities do. She is a role model not walking around saying you have to have amazing looks to be what you want to be. She promotes being smart, her doll has been a doctor, teacher, and a vet. Not to mension the fact that a lot of kids don't even notice body figure they just like to play with the toy. I think people make to big of a deal out of barbie, we all grew up playing with her and we're fine.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:47AM
zachiarose said...Okay...This person obviously lives on another planet....Barbie has been around for 50 years....and has been a positive role model for many young people with her many careers, showing that "girls can do anything"...from teen-age model to astronaut, police officer, doctor and nurse, and many more including school teacher. The world's top fashion designers have added to Barbie's wardrobe, including Mackie, Versace, Halston and so on. She was introduced on the Mickey Mouse Club..and has a following of men, woman as well as younger folks! This person who wants to ban Barbie from his state should rethink his priorities...miner's safety for one. And the rest of the unfortunate things going on in his state...economy, etc. If this idiot wants to ban toys....why not go the extra step and ban Superman toys, soldier toys...Children express their imagination in toys, so will he next ban baby dolls - would this not encourage girls to have real babies too soon? Role-playing toys and role model toys have been around for a long time. Doctor kits, nurse kits, modeling clay (hey, he can ban this....a kid might make an unacceptable not physically correct "person figure")...And while we are at it...maybe he should ban pencils & paper, someone might write something unacceptable........Mr. Rep...do you have children? Were you ever a child? No cowboys & indians, no GI Joe, no paper and crayons? Did you have an imagination? A role model? Next he will ban heavy people from wearing horizontal stripes as it may not be acceptable in his "perfect world", or wearing white in winter....throw us happy free thinking people in the slammer....is he to be the first Thought Police? When people like him are allowed to help make the rules....we can only go down the drain....and we are already half-way there... He needs to rethink priorities for his people who voted for him....I am sure the unemployed & crime victims of his state are not worried about Barbie dolls.....
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:38AM
danny said...this lawmaker should concentrate on how to save the teeth of the people of west virgina
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 10:55AM
ginny said...I am a true WV hill billy - and I am still laughing at your comment. GOOD ONE!!!!!!!
3-05-2009 @ 8:12AM
Bob Steigler said...This is the way politicians work, they come up with crap like this to keep your mind off of the real problems of the state.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:16AM
luke said...This is one of the problems we have with politicians today. The whole Country is going down the crapper and he wants to spend time and resources organizing legislation regarding a doll.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:13AM
jimmichigan123 said...Obviously another LIB DEM who wants to CONTROL everything, no doubt a buddy of barry the Socialist who is DESTROYING our Great country on a daily basis!! The OBAMABOTS stand by and could care less!!!!!!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:17AM
EM said...Well there you have it! A perfect example of what our elected officials believe are important issues. Im glad someone is protecting our children from those evil Barbie dolls......
Here's a clue for those parents that agree with the lawmaker, IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE A BARBIE DOLL..DON'T BUY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:25AM
Laurel said...I am not into politics, nor am I from West Virginia, but this one is over the top. Jeff Eldridge is so concerned over the image that Barbie is sending to our children that he takes taxpayers dollars to create a bill banning a plastic doll. Perhaps he should step outside his box and worry about the image children are recieving as they watch their families fall apart because their parents are losing their jobs, their homes and their dignity. Get a life , Mr. Eldridge. I am sure there are plenty of unemployed people who could find better uses for the monies you are so easily wasting.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:28AM
Andrea said...Oh come on! First of all, I live in WV near Kanawha county and I haven't heard about this...Secondly, I think this is insane. Don't blame Barbie's for sending the "wrong message to girls". Blame TV...my goodness, a Barbie is made of plastic, but a Victoria's secret girl is real. Little girls look at that and start feeling self-conscience about themselves when they see their "perfect bodies" on TV. Barbie's have been around for years and years and years! The poor self image that girls have now are not caused by dolls, they're caused by real people...the ad's online of the girls in the bikini, TV ads, magazines, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Lindsay Lohan, just to name a few...Whoever is trying to ban Barbie is probably an obese-womans-rights-avast with no imagine who grew up playing with G-I-Joes'...honestly, they're PLASTIC DOLLS!!!!! Get real. This is insane.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:32AM
Kate said...Well now everyone knows who Jeff Eldridge is! What an idiot!
So many things hitting the fan in our country and this idiot wants to ban Barbie like we live in a communist country!
I played with Barbies and now my daughter has barbies. I never once thought I had to look like Barbie! Barbie as others have mentioned has been an astronaut, a doctor, a lawyer a vet etc etc Girls can be whoever they want to be while being fabulous at the same time haha
Take a look at the Democrats version of what brainy women should look like ...hmm not very pretty hahaha Why can't I be pretty and smart? What a crock of shit!
Stupid Democrat, Self esteem doesn't come from dolls it comes from your family!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:17AM
crystalball2114 said...Get used to this folks. The people running our grovernment now, think they're smarter than everyone else and know what is best for us.
They will decide what we eat, what we set our thermostats at, what type cars we drive, etc. etc.
Their intent is to take away capitalism and install socialism. With that goes our independence. One only needs to research other socialist countries past and present.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 8:54AM
Julie said...When I was little I played with Barbies and "their figure" never even crossed my mind...Its not "Barbies" giving little girls the influence on boby image...its Hollywood and the media. (is he banning GI-Joe too ?...that might offend little boys who are over weight)...why not focus more on programs in schools that focus on fitness.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:02AM
Cinda said...The State & Federal Governments never dicate what dolls parents can purchase for their children. It is the parents that make that decision. We still live in a free country, or do we????
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:04AM
Julie said...You hit the nail right on the head..lol...If hes going to ban Barbie then he needs to keep on going down the toy isle...Toy guns and cop badges (breeds a cop impersonater...) (water pistols might teach a child to shoot someone in their future)......indian toys (bows & arrows) offend native americans...Super Hero toys....Now come-on...how many boys can accually "Be" a super"man".....How about...Keep the toys but ban bad parents.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:06AM
Mike said...Not a big Barbie fan, however, with all the trouble this country is in, can this really be that important? How about passing legislation that would actually help the people in your state!!!!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:44AM
csiblackwell said...In my lifetime I've seen Barbie as a cheerleader, graduate, big sister, olympic athlete, equestrian, model, actress, news reporter, NASCAR driver, wife to Ken, surgeon, mom, politician, musician, jungle adventurer and ballroom dancer.
According to Eldridge and Guthrie these activites require no intelligence. Perhaps the people they insult would like to rethink their vote and support. Being that Eldridge and Guthrie view the people they serve as being stupid. Or morally corrupt for caring about their appearance.
Match Barbie and Kens resume to Nancy and Jeffs.
I have seen Barbie bring smiles to faces of children in homes and hospitals at Christmas and Birthdays. I don't remember seeing Jeff Eldridge or Nancy Guthrie show up anywhere to visit a child for anything. Much less encourage girls to thrive for careers traditionally held by men. Nancy and Jeff people stay away from my nieces.
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3-05-2009 @ 10:09AM
david said...If he wants to go for something that is causing problems for the children then he should start with TV. Sounds to me like he doesn't know what real problems are. Is that what these clowns do in office?
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 12:28PM
Alma said...Why not look at the parents? It is their responsibility to make all the right choices for their children. From their toys, to clothes, to tv, to friends, to education....the list goes on. Morals are formed in children by age of 2. Right and wrong takes a little longer. But self esteem...that starts from birth and continues from their. I am 40 years old. Grew up with limited television, no sweets, no pop, lots of outdoor time, and parents that cared about what happened in my life from day one. That is what it takes to raise a child. It is not TV's fault at all...but BAD parenting.