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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 4 of 7)
3-05-2009 @ 10:12AM
Diana said...When you hear things like banning Barbie it makes you wonder if this guy gets turned on by pealing of her clothes. For how many years 40? Kids have had barbie and where is the analisis to support this wacky theory? Unfortunately there is no test these politicans have to take to prove their mental capabilityThere sure should be one.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 10:18AM
DIANA COLE said...ABSOLUTE STUPIDITY, MOM AND DAD DECIDE WHO PLAYS WITH WHAT AND WHAT IS BOUGHT AS TOYS. I HATED THE BRATZ AND STOPPED MY GRANDDAUGHTER FROM GETTING THEM. AS DID MOM AND DAD.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT DON'T BUY IT, DON'T LOOK AT IT. SPEND TAX MONEY ON MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO DECIDE WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS NOT. BARBIE AND TATTOOS COME ON , GET A LIFE
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3-05-2009 @ 12:20PM
Alma said...You have got to be kidding me. Tax dollars being spent to ban Barbie? What the crap has come of society. Self esteem comes from the homefront. GEESH! If you all sit back and let things like this happen, you will see our Governement totally running our lives. Which is what they want..
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 12:45PM
Dave said...His wife must not be anatomically correct.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 1:18PM
mike said...Well I guess this clown figures that since Obama has gotten his bail out bill passed that he has time to sit around and screw the hell out of the people who elected him by trying to keep Barbie dolls from being sold. Wow now theres a caring Democrat for you!!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 2:16PM
Randy said...This is a joke right!!!!!! People are losing their homes and jobs....and you are worry about a doll.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 2:34PM
Leana Jo said...I had always thought that Barbie was too overrated. And dolls like that give the wrong message to young girls and teens (like you have to have a tan, long blonde hair, a tiny waist, big boobs, and a skinny body to be accepted), it's just totally wrong!!
I liked the cheaper Dawn Dolls when I was younger, but even they had too much of the wrong message too.
I'd liked to see more realistic dolls made (the overweight one, the short one, the short-brown haired one, and one with a smaller bustline). Make them more realistic, of what girls and women really look like in the real world.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 2:44PM
Stubborn1 said...This is the inhearent flaw with our system of government. We elect people to do nothing but create laws. Even if we don't need them. No one seams to understand that the more laws that are passed, the less freedoms we have.
This Barbie bs. is but another example of hireing the mentally handicaped into positions of power. Worried about the womans self-image? Give me a break! If a plastic doll is going to affect your psyche, do the country a favor and quit breathing.
What ever happened to the lessons beat into our head that "life isn't fair"? Is commonsence going to be outlawed because not everyone has it?
I guess that the idiot Jeff Eldridge beleaves that the entire state has had their collective brains turned into mush. Capitolism is a simple enough consept to grab. If it doesn't sell, it doesn't stay on the shelves.
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3-05-2009 @ 3:36PM
Aaron said...Barbie for President. Let's ban all the politicians. That would be a wise move.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 4:55PM
z said...Satanic Barbie !! That'd be cool. Prostitute Barbie !! I'd buy it, screw lawmakers - it's a free country !! Dopehead Barbie !! yah !!
Reply
3-07-2009 @ 10:55AM
April said...This is definitely rediculous!! Our country is in a financial downward spiral and they want to spend money to put people out of jobs! That's a way to fix the economy.
As a chubby child, I played with barbies growing up and they never did make me feel inadequate as a girl/woman. I never thought of her body as something that I wish I had or something that I need to become. All I cared about was trying different outfits and accessories. People are reading too much into Barbie.
This image problem derives from boys playing with Barbies. It warps their minds into expecting a woman to look like Barbie, therefore, Men have warped our minds!
Philosophy of the story..... boys don't need to play with our Barbies!!! And the rest of the world needs to leave our Barbies ALONE!!!!!!
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 7:56PM
Craig said...It's no wonder our country is in such trouble, with law makers more worried about Barbie Dolls than the people of the country. With the bailout in D>C>, who can afford to buy a Barbie anyway!
Go Figure! W. Virginians, throw that dude out, he ain't worth a crap.
Reply
3-05-2009 @ 9:41PM
lin said...WOW I played with Barbies and even bought custom clothing before clothes were available in our area. I can't say little girls play with them much past the age of 11 anymore and the biggest role models would be their parents not some stupid doll to play with. Believe me I dont think I need to look like a stupid Barbie either. HOGWASH! Get the government out of my family!!! Whats to stop people from ordering on ebay or amazon.com? And if I want to buy my kid an American girl, it's my business not the government or yours.
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3-05-2009 @ 9:45PM
lin said...#69 you've lost your mind. Do you know how clean of a show Hannah Montana is? She has a father she respects and a wonderful family life. Her parents guide her and go on tour with her and considering the trash that's on tv, her tv show is pretty moral. You jealous of her or something? I could've given you my tickets to her show. LOL
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3-05-2009 @ 10:05PM
rmcfa23125 said...Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Reply
3-06-2009 @ 9:17AM
BILL said...I BELIEVE THE REASON FOR THE BAN IS REMORSE. AS A COUNSLER, I HAVE MET GROWN MEN WHO HAVE USED A BARBIE DOLL TO SATISFY SEXUAL NEEDS. AFTER THE ACT THE PERSON BECOMES HOSTIL TOWARDS BARBIE. THEY GET ANGRY BECAUSE A DOLL AROUSED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOES ANYONE THINK THIS COULD BE THE REASON ELDRIDGE WANTS THE DOLL OUT OF SIGHT? THINK ABOUT IT.
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3-06-2009 @ 9:16AM
BILL said...IF THE FAT KIDS WOULD STOP EATING JUNK OR LIMIT THE AMOUNT THEY EAT, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. USUALLY THESE KIDS ALSO NEED A BATH AND SOME LARGER CLOTHS. ANY FEMALE CAN LOOK LIKE BARBIE. ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS EAT RIGHT AND WOK OUT INSTEAD OF SITTING ON THE COUCH UNTIL IT'S TIME OT EAT.
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3-06-2009 @ 11:18AM
Jo said...From WV to another, please get smart and vote these idiot Dems out of office. Decades of Dem rule has done nothing but leave WV as one of the poorest, fattest, dumbest states in the nation w/ Dem politicians that have nothing better to do than bitch about Barbie. I played w/ Barbie when I was little and somehow ended up graduating Ivy League and being fairly successful in life. Lets start focusing on what's important in the state for a change. Vote this idiot out of office now.
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3-06-2009 @ 2:03PM
Amanda said...The banning of Barbie will not even begin to change the value of looks in society. Legislation can NEVER take the place of good parenting. That senator needs to leave his own "moral righteousness" out of it.
Reply
3-07-2009 @ 11:08PM
Amanda N. said...This is idiotic, Barbie's have been around for 50 years and now we want to worry about the image they are giving to children. I played with Barbie dolls all of the younger years and I have no self esteem issues because I am not "blond and big breasted." Let's worry about the more important issues facing the state of West Virginia.
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