Is Bald Barbie Coming to A Store Near You?
Barbie is known for her luxurious blonde hair, twinkly blue eyes, extensive and inappropriate wardrobe and, of course, her unrealistic figure.
But two moms want to make her more relevant to their daughters. They are petitioning Mattel through Facebook to come out with "Bald and Beautiful Barbie". Both their daughters have lost their hair to cancer treatments and the moms think that releasing a bald doll will normalize the girls' situation and make them feel beautiful and special. In turn, a bald doll will help other girls facing similar situations.
I wish them well. Their campaign has done tremendously well, with over 142,000 people joining the Facebook campaign and creating a boy-friendly G.I. Joe campaign as well.
Mattel at first gave them the brush off, but as the social media grew they responded to the campaign, saying:
"We are honoured that Jane Bingham and Beckie Sypin believe that Barbie could be the face of such an important cause. Mattel appreciates and respects the passion that has been built up for the request for a bald Barbie doll."
But they didn't confirm or deny that they would make a bald Barbie.
But I do wonder why Mattel would respond to this campaign and not to the criticisms of Barbie being inappropriate and unrealistic for most girls. If they want to make a Barbie that makes girls feel good, shouldn't they make one that can stand on her own two feet?
Or one that dresses appropriately for her profession? Or a doll that comes in different skin tones? Barbie is very far from normalizing anything.
And if they want to make a Bald Barbie to address some of the criticisms of being out of touch, great. If they donate the proceeds to childhood cancer research, then that's even better. If that makes kids feel beautiful and normal, even if for a moment, then good for Mattel.
If they realize that in modern times, interaction and some responsibility to your consumers is important - then even better. In the meantime, in the beginning of January a Kardashian line of Barbie friends was announced. Mattel rescinded the offer this week.
Do you think Mattel should produce a bald Barbie?
Want more chaos? Last year, I asked if you had ever been caught by your kids, you know, doing it. Seems that the answer was yes.
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