*This isn't one of the mandatory posts or anything but I heard about this at lunch today and I thought you guys might be interested in this latest Barbie news, if you haven't already heard...
Barbie might be going through a bit of a mid-life crisis... the latest Barbie doll out is called Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie. You can tattoo her, her clothes, and yourself with these sticker tattoos she comes with. I even heard she has what some like to call a "tramp stamp" - a tattoo on her lower back right above her butt that says "Forever Ken" (I'm not sure about that, I haven't seen pictures, may just be a rumor.)
But it seems as though many parents are not okay with the message this new doll sends to their kids. The link is just one of many articles about how parents are reacting to "Barbie's new image."
http://wbztv.com/consumer/barbie.tattoo.mattel.2.950549.html
I'm not really sure what I think yet - are these upset parents overreacting or is a tattooed barbie just cause for concern??
I think that the new "inked" version of Barbie is a legitimate concern for parents. I think that if an adult decides to get a tatoo, and my emphasis is on the word "adult," then that is perfectly fine. However, a child should not have a toy that is advertised as having tatoos on it or tatoos that can be added to it. Young girls are impressionable and will soon want a tatto of thier own. Tatoos are permanent and one should get one only if they are absolutely sure that they want it for life. A descision to get a tatoo must be made by a mature individual and someone who truly wants and has thought through getting a tatoo. Girls should not simply get tatoos because they think its "cool," "trendy," or will make them prettier. If Barbie is sporting tatoos, then I think that younger girls are going to be itching to get tatoos the minute they turn 18 for all the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with barbie having tattoos, but I remember when I was younger and loved playing with temporary tattoos. My friends and I loved it. (I guess it's kind of similar?) I think it all comes down to the fact that kids need to know that tattoos are permanent. Barbie having these tattoos might influence kids to get tattoos, but so does seeing celebrities and even their parents with tattoos. Personally, I don't think it's that huge of a deal if you explain to your kids that tattoos are permanent and will always be there.
ReplyDeleteThis barbie will probably send the wrong message to younger girls. It will show them that it is okay to do whatever they want to their bodies, whenever. Hopefully they will not grow up and think that they need to get a tatoo of each of their boyfriend's names on themselves.
ReplyDelete