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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 5 of 7)
3-08-2009 @ 11:49AM
vern said...Maybe there are other things to worry about than this dumb doll. But, if any of you were real parents and gave a damn about how your children grow up and view the opposite sex, then maybe you might just listen for a minute, but as usual you are thinking of only yourselves in this matter and don't care about your kids, or how they turn out, which is probably going to be like you, some ignorant, uneducated, socially inept, retard who doesn' carea bout anything if it doesn't benefit you directly.
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 11:54AM
CDWaaa said...BOYCOTT THIS DIPSHIT STATE !! For God's sake. Grow up and look around you. What a dipshit.
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 12:11PM
mj said...I'm a geezer, and I like Barbies, always have. I also like American Girls, and own one. Barbie is cute, sure, but she has worked since the beginning; she was a model. Since then she has had many jobs, and is a positive role model. So she likes clothes. So do I. American Girls teach history, and encourage learning. They make history more interesting, and that is a good thing.
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3-08-2009 @ 12:15PM
Granny said...What a stupid thought, ban Barbie. I don't care for any of the "dolls" listed above, but am well aware that the added publicity will only add to the demand for them. Anyone remember the dsaying...if we ignor it, may just go away?
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 12:26PM
Cricket Proctor said...What does this guy want? An UGLY BARBIE? Hey there's enough ugly dolls out there. What's wrong with sending the kids the message that it's alright to be pretty AND smart? With all the careers that doll has had over the years, SHE'S GOT TO BE A GENIUS! So where does he get the idea that just because Barbie is pretty that she must be dumb? And don't even think of telling me it's because she's a blond!!!!!!!!!
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3-08-2009 @ 12:29PM
BJordan said..."West Virginia" does NOT want to ban Barbie.
It is only one man who wants to have his name out there.
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3-08-2009 @ 12:30PM
KAREENA said...Wow, now West byGod Vagina, has it's own Taliban.
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 12:48PM
Jack said...So what now, their gonna make dolls that look like a typical woman from W. Va? Appalacian Barbie? Should be ugly. right?
Do yourselves a favor W.Va. Vote Eldridge out next chance you get.
He's obviously a politically correct whacko from the left.
I don't really know what Barbie looks like up close. I have two healthy stable daughters. They had Barbies and Bratz, and it didn't matter what I thought. As long as it was a safe toy. They are healthy, stable teenagers, with no issues about looking like Barbie. Only stupid kids would think that Barbie is the norm rather than the exception.
So in essence, Judge Eldridge is telling you W.Va. parents that your kids are too dumb to diferentiate between fantasy and reality.
Raising two healthy girls I learned that even if Barbie didn't exist, if you asked a little girl how she wanted you to make a doll for here, she would describe a beautiful woman, who has a healthy slim body, and lives a successful life. I guess judge Eldridge would call that sexism. When in fact it is reality. In fact a good role model. Not obese, drugged out, and ugly.
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 1:29PM
katie said...I think that you took that a step too far. Appalacian Barbie should be ugly. I am from West Virginia and I come from a beautiful family. Just so you know, the majority of people in this area dont even agree with Eldridge and his idiotic piece of legislation. The way we feel about it is there are way better things that he could be putting his time and effort into. Things like unemployment and the economy (and just so you know WV is one of the only states left that is still in the black during these times). The way I feel about it is if you don't like the previews for a movie, don't go see it. If you don't like to eat broccoli, don't buy it. If you don't like the way Barbie looks, don't purchase her. I also don't think that he is trying to tell us that our kids are too dumb to differentiate between fantasy and reality. Have you heard the man talk? I have and I doubt that has even thought that deep into the issue. The man is putting up legislation against BARBIE!! Do you really think he has a well thought out philosophy on anything?
3-08-2009 @ 2:25PM
Jack said...OK Katie, you're right. I went a little overboard in trying to make my point. You made the most succinct point. "this man is putting up legislation against BARBIE". I stand corrected, and apologise to any women I may have offended in W. Va. I'm from Long Island (NY) but now live upstate in Albany, and man, the difference in the amount of women that would make a guy turn his head is about 95%. That's just looks now. I know there's more to people than looks. Also my point about the judge (in essence) saying your kids are to dumb to differentiate, was the same point I make regarding providing Spanish speaking people with everything opionally in Spansh. Its like saying, the Italians,Germans,Russians,Pakistani's etc. came here and learned the language, but you latinos and latinas need help. I know quite a few that regard that a one giant insult, and the waste of taxpayer dollars in converting everything to dual languange is shameful as well. Different topic but same purpose
3-08-2009 @ 12:50PM
EnglishBunny said...Instead of taking on barbie why dont they go to the real problem and target the models the wight less than116 120 and get to the real image problem. Little girls and school age girls look to these models as how to dress. Target them and make all mothers happy. not a TOY .
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3-08-2009 @ 12:50PM
mommamia said...Maybe this should be a lesson we do not say the word God WE DO NOT PRAY IN SCHOOLS ANYMORE. Lets take away Barbie and all shall be mine sounds good can you imagine being arrested for selling Barbie's lol what next
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3-08-2009 @ 10:18PM
snegurl said...I agree that they should not worry about barbies. I always played with barbies and never thought to compare myself to them. What about all of these celebrities who are always skinny and sickly thin? We should worry more about that bc kids look up to them. Maybe if we all didn't eat such bad foods or at least take care of ourselves, we would not be comparing each other. I am just saying that if we got up off our lazy butts we would look healthier especially now that the weather is better.
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3-08-2009 @ 1:03PM
cher said...One DELEGATE & Sandy Maple gives West Virginia all the credit. Gosh, I bet you can find someone even in wonderful, progressive, but broke California that objects to young impressive children to having the new, improved tattoo Barbie....then the headline can be Why California Wants to ban Barbie. only difference is, California is so needy these days they will mostlikely sue Ms. Maple so they can pay for more free tattoo removals of thier welfare set so they can be employable.
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3-08-2009 @ 1:03PM
Ron Ross said...I would disagree with the gentleman. By his proposal, he is sending a sign that women, in general, should not be concerned about their bodies. Barbie, tends to, by her figure, point to the physically fit young as well as older women of today. Those who watch what they eat, and who take care of their bodies, and who by doing so, are refusing to become the sloppy, overweight women that we see so much of in the offices, in the food markets, or anywhere that we tend to look. You know, those who wear sweat pants, baggy sweaters, all to help cover up a disgusting bunch of celulite.
This politician also tends to suggest that women who are in good physical condition, and who take care of their physical appearance may be 'short' in the brain power. Perhaps he should take a look around and see 'today's' woman in the working world of commerce and industry.
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3-08-2009 @ 1:02PM
MELODY said...As a native West Virginian living in Charleston I am embarassed. Barbie has always kept up with the times, her clothes, hair,etc... People will fight over anything! If anything upsets one for what ever reason then don't buy it, go see it, etc.. I don't want anyone to take away my freedom as an American citizen! The crusades and inquisition ended so long ago.
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3-08-2009 @ 1:07PM
mike said...Democrats are killing the stock market, and this dem. is talking about a doll. So this is there solution to the country. Get rid of a doll!
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3-09-2009 @ 3:31PM
smuthwaters said...Like West Virginia has a lot of either brains or beauty in their state. School classes on hygiene, fashion, politics, history, and other things might actually do them good. The dumbest Barbie Doll character is still smarter than most West Virginians.
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3-08-2009 @ 1:26PM
katiebaldwin said...I just want to say that I am from West VIrginia and I think that this is crazy. As a matter of fact, I don't think that anyone I know really thinks this is even worth while. This story was covered by our local news and the most of the people interviewed felt the same way that I do. With all of the unemployment and the failing economy there are many other things that this lesgislature could be dedicating their time to. It's bad enough that the other 49 states already think that we are a bunch of ignorant hillbillies, but now this guy has to make us look like we just woke up in the 1950s. If not from anyone else, I want you to hear it from me: I'm sorry America!
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3-08-2009 @ 1:17PM
Lynn said...Why are people blaming the doll when society has clearly set the standards for young ladies and women. Magazines airbrush and mutate everyone into a "barbie doll". This is not reality. Young girls 12 and up don't want to look like Barbie. They want to emulate the "it girl" of the moment. They want to be the person whose face is splashed all over every magazine in town. The teen scene is full of girls that all look alike. At an average high school you cannot even tell them apart if you are looking at their backs. What ever happened to individuality. Embrass it and think for yourselves ladies.
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