Bald Barbie Dolls? I say YES

            By the time I was twelve years old, I owned not only several Barbies, but Barbie houses, accessories, pets and friends…and at least one Ken doll. It seemed then that Barbies were all girls talked about and we wanted to be just like them. After reading the article “After cancer hit, women lobbied for a bald Barbie” (Yahoo!News) I can say I wish I had had a bald Barbie when I was little. Toys and women in the media are considered role models to young girls, and these role models effects on these girls is a major issue today. Young girls are more exposed to profanities and revealing shows now than ever before. Those things are being portrayed in their toys, such as Barbies, who have sported “thigh-high pink boots” and crop-tops exposing their belly buttons. While these Barbies may be making a fashion statement for older girls, seven year olds should not think a teeny-tiny t-shirt and booty shorts are the right thing to wear at that age.

            On the other hand, Barbie dolls have been “crushing stereotypes and showing little girls that they can be whatever they want to be” for over fifty years. One of the women pushing for these dolls to be made is Rebecca Sypin, whose “12-year-old daughter, Kin Inich, lost her hair this year in her own battle with leukemia.” For this young girl, who has been battling a disease to the point where she lost her hair, to see her own body and, more importantly, bald head on that of a Barbie doll would mean the world. It is important for these young girls, who feel so vulnerable, to know that they’re not alone. And a Barbie doll will do just that. Also, girls who haven’t had cancer can be made aware of it by the dolls. Therefore, if a young girl ever comes across a bald girl her age, she won’t be shocked or scared. She’ll say, “Hey, you look just like my Barbie doll,” which is about the best compliment any girl can get.