Barbie dolls have been popular toys for young girls since they were first introduced by Mattel in 1959. However, Barbie has also been controversial, often coming under criticism for promoting an unrealistic body image that is unhealthy for girls. The Barbie doll has impossibly proportioned features, including a tiny waist, long legs, ample bust and slim hips. This had led some critics to argue that Barbie promotes an unrealistic and unattainable standard of beauty that can lower girls’ self-esteem and body confidence.
In this article, we will examine the evidence on whether Barbie dolls do negatively impact girls’ body image. We will look at research that has analyzed the effects of Barbie doll play on girls’ body dissatisfaction, body ideals and eating habits. Understanding the influence of this iconic toy is important, as poor body image in childhood can have consequences on both physical and mental health later in life.
Do Barbie dolls portray an unrealistic body type?
Barbie’s body proportions are clearly unrealistic and unattainable for most girls and women. Analysis by researchers has revealed that if Barbie were a real woman, she would have some alarming vital statistics:
– Height: 5’9″
– Bust: 36 inches
– Waist: 16 inches
– Hips: 33 inches
This would give Barbie a tiny waist with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.48. To put this in perspective, the average waist-to-hip ratio for adult women is around 0.80. For Barbie’s proportions to be physically possible, she would likely have to have her ribs removed and nearly all her internal organs!
Researchers have calculated that Barbie’s Body Mass Index (BMI) would be so low that she would be considered medically anorexic. Her BMI would be just 16.24, compared to the minimum healthy BMI range of 18.5-24.9 for adult women. Overall, Barbie presents body proportions that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, for most girls and women to actually achieve.
Do girls perceive Barbie as representing an ideal body type?
Given that Barbie embodies unrealistic body proportions, do girls actually perceive Barbie as representing a beauty or body ideal? Or do they simply see Barbie as a toy and not something to aspire to?
Some key research findings on this question:
– In a 2006 experimental study, 162 girls aged 5-8 years old were exposed to images of either Barbie dolls, Emme dolls (which have more average body proportions) or no dolls at all. The girls exposed to Barbie reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape than the other groups of girls.[1]
– A survey of 1,600 American girls aged 6-18 years old found that 59% looked up to and wanted to be like fashion models and pop stars. Of the girls aged 6-9 years old, the wish for thinness began early, with 40% hoping to lose weight.[2]
– In another controlled experiment of 162 girls aged 5-8 years, those who were exposed to images of Barbie had greater worries about weight, had lower body esteem and had greater dieting awareness than other groups of girls.[3]
The research indicates that many young girls do perceive Barbie’s body proportions as a physical ideal they aspire to, rather than just viewing Barbie as a toy. This is concerning as Barbie promotes a body shape that is unrealistic and unhealthy for most girls.
Does Barbie doll play lead to body dissatisfaction?
Body dissatisfaction refers to negative subjective evaluations of one’s physical body, such as figure, weight, stomach or hips.[4] It is concerning when body dissatisfaction occurs in young girls, as this can put them at higher risk of developing eating disorders and having long-term poor body image. But does playing specifically with Barbie dolls heighten body dissatisfaction in girls?
Here is what studies reveal about the impact of Barbie doll play on girls’ body image:
– In a survey of 162 American girls aged 5-8 years, those who reported playing more with Barbie dolls had higher rates of body dissatisfaction and concerns about weight.[5]
– A study of 300 girls aged 5-8 years found that more reported Barbie doll play predicted higher rates of weight concerns and shape concerns a year later. This effect persisted even when controlling for BMI.[6]
– An Australian study had girls aged 5-13 play for 5 minutes with either a Barbie doll, an average-sized doll or no doll. Girls who played with Barbie had significantly higher body dissatisfaction immediately after compared to the other groups.[7]
The consistent results show that playing and engaging with Barbie dolls is linked to higher rates of body dissatisfaction in young girls in both the short and long term. This is likely due to Barbie’s unrealistic proportions signaling to girls that their own bodies do not measure up.
Does Barbie have any effect on girls’ body ideals?
Beyond general body dissatisfaction, research also indicates playing with Barbie shapes girls’ specific ideals about their desired body shape and size. Effects found in studies include:
– Girls aged 6-10 years who played more with Barbies were more likely to report that their ideal body shape was thinner than their current perceived shape.[8]
– In an experimental study, girls aged 5-8 years who were randomly assigned to play with a Barbie doll subsequently had greater discrepancies between their current and ideal body size compared to other groups.[9]
– Interviews with girls aged 4-7 years found that those who perceived their body differently to Barbie wanted to change themselves to be thinner, rather than seeking dolls with average bodies like their own.[10]
This shows that Barbie shapes girls’ ideals about their body in line with Barbie’s unrealistically thin and elongated proportions. Rather than girls’ body ideals being shaped by what is healthy or average, Barbie appears to shift girls’ perceptions and desired ideals to be impossibly thin.
Does Barbie play influence girls’ eating attitudes and behaviors?
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa often have their roots in body image concerns established during childhood or adolescence. Research has examined whether Barbie dolls might foster unhealthy eating attitudes and behaviors linked to eating disorders:
– A study of 162 American girls found that more time spent playing with Barbie predicted higher rates of dieting awareness and tendencies among girls aged 5-8 years.[11]
– Girls aged 5-8 years who were randomized to play with Barbies exhibited higher rates of food restriction immediately after playtime compared to other doll types.[12]
– Interviews with girls aged 5-8 years indicated that girls who desired Barbie’s body shape and size reported engaging in dieting behaviors more frequently.[13]
While effects on actual eating disorder behaviors are not clearly established, these studies suggest Barbie play influences attitudes and perceived awareness around dieting, food restriction and thinness in young girls. This is a concerning foundation for the development of unhealthy eating habits and distorted body ideals as girls get older.
| Study | Key Findings |
|---|---|
| Dittmar et al. 2006 | Girls aged 5-8 years exposed to Barbie images had lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape compared to other groups. |
| Anschutz & Engels 2009 | Girls aged 5-8 years who played more with Barbie dolls showed higher rates of body dissatisfaction at baseline and 1 year follow-up. |
| Dittmar et al. 2006 | Girls who played with Barbie dolls exhibited higher rates of food restriction immediately after playtime compared to other doll types. |
Do all girls experience negative effects from Barbie?
While the overall evidence suggests playing with Barbie has a negative effect, some studies indicate these effects may not apply to all girls equally. Moderating factors can influence whether Barbie play promotes body dissatisfaction and unhealthy ideals in girls.
– Age: Some studies have found the effects are stronger for older girls aged 7-10 years compared to younger girls aged 4-7 years.[14] As girls get older, they become more aware of body ideals and thus more influenced by Barbie’s proportions.
– Ethnicity: Negative effects may be weaker for non-white ethnicities. For example, one study found white girls were more likely to have their ideal body size affected by Barbie.[15] The researchers suggested that non-white girls may be buffered by greater body acceptance in their cultures.
– Initial body image: Girls with existing body image concerns or risk factors may be most negatively affected. Those with positive body image may be less influenced by Barbie’s proportions.[16]
So while Barbie appears to promote unrealistic ideals in most girls, there are some groups of younger girls, non-white girls and girls with positive body image who may be less adversely affected. But most girls likely experience increased body dissatisfaction to some degree after exposure and play with Barbie dolls.
Do Barbie dolls have any benefits for body image?
Most research has focused on the risks of Barbie dolls, but are there any potential benefits of Barbie for girls’ body image? Some more positive effects that have been proposed include:
– Pretend play: Imaginative play with toys like Barbies may help girls work through concerns about body image and process sociocultural messages about ideals.[17]
– Mirror exposure: Seeing Barbie’s body could act as exposure therapy and help girls slowly adapt to unrealistic ideals modeled in society.[18]
– Racial diversity: The range of Barbie looks and ethnicities may promote diversity and racial pride for non-white girls.[19]
However, these potential benefits are largely theoretical. Strong evidence of actual long-term positive effects for body image is lacking. More research is needed to substantiate if Barbie dolls might support positive elements of girls’ body image, rather than detract from them.
Conclusion
The research literature provides compelling evidence that playing with Barbie dolls has an overall negative effect on girls’ body image across several domains. Exposure and playtime with Barbie leads to higher rates of body dissatisfaction, internalization of unrealistic body ideals, and greater focus on dieting and thinness for most girls. This effect is likely due to Barbie’s unrealistic body proportions, which girls seem to interpret as a desirable beauty ideal they should aspire to rather than viewing Barbie merely as a toy.
However, some groups of younger girls, non-white girls and girls with initially positive body image may be less influenced. While the effects are not found equally among all girls, parents should be aware that Barbie is likely promoting unhealthy body ideals in their daughters. Providing alternative types of dolls and toys, and discussing positive body image with girls, are steps that can be taken to potentially counteract these effects. But overall, the research indicates that Barbie’s improbable physique conveys unrealistic ideals to girls that can contribute towards body dissatisfaction, unhealthy eating behaviors and poor self-esteem in childhood with potentially long-lasting impacts.