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Would you buy a plus size Barbie doll for your daughter? Apparently the idea is being looked at; however, the plus size Barbie shown is drawing controversy. Facebook group, Plus Size Modeling, generated the question “Should toy companies start making plus-sized dolls? They have gotten 36,000 likes and 1,600 shares on the idea.
Personally, I think it’s a great idea. Most women are not pencil thin. Most have curves and are proud of them. The plus-size Barbie shown was produced by artists at Worth1000.com, not Mattel. Mattel has not stated, to my knowledge, that they are entertaining the idea of a plus-size Barbie.
This plus size Barbie has come under fire by many. Many believe the image created is not how plus size women should be portrayed. In fact, many think the Barbie shown is obese not plus size. There is a difference. Not all plus-size women are obese. Did you notice that the plus-size Barbie has a triple chin and is basically three times the size of the original Barbie.
When I first saw the doll, my response was WTH. I am a plus size. Yep, size 12/14W and I am comfortable in the skin that I’m in. My goal is to be healthy and if I can accomplish that at a size 12/14, than I’m happy. I don’t have 3 chins and I’m not three times the size of a pencil thin woman. Most of the women in my family are plus size. My daughter however is petite. Imagine that.
I believe in diversity and want to expose my granddaughter to a variety of doll images. I purchase Black, Hispanic and Caucasian dolls for her. After all, the world is made up of many people from many backgrounds in a variety of hues. I want her to see the world for what it is and know that it’s okay to not be pencil thin. I want her to know that women of color are beautiful, intelligent and successful. I want her to know that not everyone looks alike, has the same shape or is the same size. That’s the beauty of the human race. I don’t know what genetics have in store for her, so I want her to have this knowledge at an early age.
If a plus size Barbie is to be marketed, plus size women should be on the team while she is being developed. I wonder who was behind the development of this doll at Worth1000.com, but more importantly who approved the final plan. They obviously need to return to the drawing the board and take some time to learn about healthy full figure women.
