Hey Barbie! Lets go PARTY!

BIG NEWS! Mattel has finally listened to society and decided to create a new line of Barbie Dolls that are more body realistic. 

The evolution of Barbie since she debuted in 1959 has been huge. She has had roughly 150 careers, the epitome of a working gal, and she dominates each one in style.

Human "Barbie"

One thing she is known widely for is her thin, unrealistic, physique. Its been studied that her looks cause body dismorphic disorder in young women, and set unattainable standers. Because of this people have criticized the company for putting out a doll that young girls would negatively compare themselves to. Few woman around the world have made it their mission to change their bodies to look like Barbie, going though numerous, dangerous, surgeries to obtain the Barbie-bod.

I no longer have the files, but I did a group presentation in college on Eating Disorders and Body Dismorphic Disorder, and we touched on the topic of Barbie’s unrealistic size. Besides the fact her knees and elbows are fixed in one spot she would have multiple other issues that would make it impossible to stand up straight. In summary her neck would have trouble holding her head, her ankles could not support her body, and she would not have room in her body for vital organs.

Being realistic, I was never one to sit there and stare at a doll thinking “I’m not pretty enough unless I look at her,” but not everyone can rationalize this idea. Many women compare themselves to this figure who is flawless and in need of a cheeseburger. As we get into a world where life revolves around the Internet it is appropriate that Mattel has come out with these new figures to share with young girls who are more affected by body types and the way they look.

I strongly believe that Barbie’s were just another toy in the box, they were just used as fun girly toys that we enjoyed, and we didn’t pay attention to their physique. But as times have changed we not only judge how women look, but we have reverted to judging a doll that most girls have grown up knowing to be their best friend. In reality it is just a doll. We have chosen to give it power in how we compare it to REAL women… Luckily no one ever compared themselves to a Raggedy Ann Doll.

All in all I think it’s great that Mattel has given Barbie a new look since we tend to base ourselves off the toys we grow up playing with. I’m not mad over the fact I had the “unrealistic” Barbie, but then again I don’t tend to compare myself to an inanimate object. I know I’m coming off quite cynical, but society has driven women to judge themselves making toy companies feel obligated to change a 57-year-old doll. I don’t think if society were in uproar anything would have been changed.

One thing I do commend them changing for a GOOD reason is the new Barbie’s will have various skin tones and hair colors. Although Barbie has had various skin and hair colors in the past, she was mainly known as a blonde hair blue eyed Caucasian. I 100% love the idea that girls can finally get a Barbie that looks like them in that aspect! 

In reality it's great that girls can look at these new dolls and see normal sizes and realize that their sizes aren't so different, that they are also NORMAL! So kudos on that. Unfortunately this does not solve societies problems, girls will still want breast implants and lipo suction. That being said we are a step in the right direction. Now we just need a Gay Pride Barbie and all will be good!

PPPS: With all these new sizes you'll have to actually pay attention to the clothes you buy for your barbie!! Thats kind of fun!

A look back. (High School Emotions)

When I was in high school I wish I could have looked to my future self and asked the question “does it get better,” “will I ever get through this?” Worrying about my clothes, boys, boyfriends, and friends was too much work for a teenager.

I went to two high schools growing up. I spent freshmen and senior years at Carmel High School in Carmel Indiana, and the two between at George Jenkins Senior High in Lakeland Florida. I loved Florida, and it was where a majority of these questions came into play.

That long hair.. while ice skating.. hi Elsa.

1.  Here is a list of things I wish I would have known then.
2. You don’t have to wake up super early every day to straighten your hair and put in hair extensions, no one cares! (and if they do they wont matter in a year or two)
3.  Quit bleaching your hair!! You will regret it. No matter how pretty it is now.
4. You don’t have to wear a face full of makeup to school, you just need some mascara and maybe some powder, move along.
5. If people want to talk about you, let them. The ones who said things about you are not doing ANYTHING with their lives when you’re older.
6.  If he lies about little things, chances are he lies about the big things.
7.  Listen to you friends about the guys you’re dating, they will tell you what you are too stupid to see.
8.   Go out with your girlfriends; don’t ditch them for any boys.
9. Go to the high school football games no matter how much your team sucks.
10. Hang out with your mom.
11. Don’t feel bad for not drinking at parties; you will never regret driving sober.
12. If he cheats once say goodbye! Don’t be rock steady when he keeps crumbling. NOT WORTH YOUR TIME.



Chicks before Di....udes

13. Don’t think fighting is a part of your relationship, its never okay, don’t justify it by saying “Its just how we are.” It’s not healthy.

I think back to all the things that made me sad, mad, and even things that made me happy, not all the reasoning behind those feelings were valid. There were times I was angry with an ex and I should have been angry with myself for sticking around. There were times I was happy with the guy I was dating because he did one sweet thing, but that one thing hardly cast a shadow on all the crap he put me through.

I never regret anything in my past, I just learn from it. That was always so important to me, making my own mistakes. Most of the time it SUCKED, but I genuinely feel like it made me a stronger person. I’m glad I had people to guide me, but it was very important that they let me make errors, without those errors I wouldn’t be able to detect similar faults in the future. It really comes down to a learning experience.

No matter the feelings you have, happy or sad, they may not always be valid. Although they may feel acceptable at that moment, it might be something you look back on and realize it was an overreaction. There is never anything wrong with a mistaken emotion, as long as you know why it was wrong. If I were to currently be in those relationships that caused me so much pain back then I doubt I would be happy now, but back then I would have said, “It will get better!”

Luckily God had a plan for me, and it was to meet a wonderful guy who actually treated me like a princess. Now I’m in a relationship I want to brag about rather than hide or pretend it’s “going to work out!” I’m happy with where I am, and although I may not have been genuinely happy with where I was, at least I know I gained a lot from being there.