7 Reasons why Barbie is a feminist

For over seven decades, Barbie has been a timeless figure that continues to evolve and inspire. With a long history filled with iconic launches and some justified criticism, it's no wonder that the doll became famous for revolutionizing the toy industry, breaking stereotypes and allowing generations of young girls to dream of a better future.?

From challenging traditional gender roles to embracing diversity and inclusivity, Barbie has proven to be more than just a doll: she represents progress and the ability to learn. Although we still need to address her unreachable appearance standards, as we look forward to the upcoming film release in theatres on July 21st, 2023, let's explore the seven reasons why Barbie has been a powerful feminist voice!

1. Redefining Womanhood:

Barbie was created in 1959 as the first doll that presented children with the idea of a grown woman unrelated to traditional roles of motherhood and child care. She embodied the concept that women could pursue various careers, dreams, and aspirations beyond societal expectations, inspiring girls to believe in their limitless possibilities.?

Opposing the norm, she had a boyfriend - not a husband - had no kids and embraced roles that were considered unachievable for women at the time, such as becoming an astronaut and a CEO.?

2. The Visionary Behind Barbie:

Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator, was a visionary. As a working woman and entrepreneur, Handler challenged societal norms in the 1960s, taking political stances and pushing for change. Through Barbie, she aimed to offer young children a glimpse of the possibilities they could achieve in a world still grappling with gender stereotypes.

"Barbie’s creator was a working woman who’d lived with a girlfriend and had a job as a teenager. After she married, she was bored as a housewife. She intentionally made Black Barbies in the sixties as a political statement against racism. She made sure Barbie was single and Ken was just the boyfriend, never the husband. She gave Barbie many careers to choose from, wanting Barbie to become things real women couldn’t yet become", says Susan Shapiro, author of 'Barbie: 60 Years of Inspiration'.

3. A Trailblazer in Careers:

With over 200 careers to her name, Barbie shattered glass ceilings and proved that women could excel in fields traditionally dominated by men. Barbie proved that no profession was off-limits, from STEM to politics, encouraging children to dream big and pursue their passions fearlessly.

4. Embracing Hyper-femininity:

Several critics of Barbie pointed out the “overuse” of pink and how she embodies a look that “slows down feminism” – the hyper-femininity. However, Barbie is proof that femininity and ambition can coexist.

She defies the notion that women need to succeed "despite" being women or mothers. Women can cause change and achieve their goals regardless of their looks, outfit and vanity. Barbie exemplifies that femininity is also a source of power, and women and feminine presenting people should embrace their authentic selves without compromising their ambitions.

5. Evolving with Social Issues:

While Barbie has faced criticism over appearance and body issues, she has also evolved to embrace changing social issues and feminist movements as they came - the first black doll, for example, was called Christie and was created in 1968 amid the US social and civil rights movement.

Barbie became an official ally in a Love Wins campaign in 2017 .

6. Embodying Inclusivity:

Barbie’s impact on pop culture is significant, especially for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Her ultimate freedom to be unapologetically herself became a symbol for many gender non-conforming, trans and non-binary people that felt the societal pressure to comply with their gender assigned at birth.

After Mattel’s reboot in 2015, the brand has worked on reflecting diverse body types, ethnicities, and abilities, promoting a more inclusive world that celebrates diversity.

7. Updated Ideals on the Big Screen:

In the upcoming Barbie movie, the doll's concepts of equity and feminism will reach a widespread audience in a new way. In the movie – projected to make over 100 million dollars on its opening weekend – we'll see the iconic character understanding that, even though she has been the protagonist of her own narrative, and her boyfriend, Ken, was only a sidekick in her story, the future asks for equality.

Barbie's legacy as a feminist voice spans over 75 years, inspiring generations of children to break barriers, dream big, and challenge stereotypes. Through her numerous careers, inclusive representation, and adaptability to social issues, Barbie (and its parent company, Mattel) continues to evolve and learn.

As we eagerly anticipate her upcoming movie, let's celebrate Barbie's role in the feminist movement and her unwavering commitment to allowing women worldwide to dream big.