Right now, it’s Barbie’s world and we are in it.
Since the film’s release on Friday, Barbie fever has firmly set in – with cinema-goers stepping out in pink outfits to mark one of most-anticipated movies of the year.
But, of course, the film is so much more than just the sensational fashion and tickled pink scenery (one that caused a world paint shortage, in fact).
In Metro’s review of the film, we describe the movie as ‘an intensely feminist fable that will (quite deliciously) rile up the Andrew Tate-serving sections of society that still haven’t worked out what that word actually means.’
We add: ‘Society might try to make Barbie about repressing women, but this film celebrates her as something that tries to inspire them to do exactly what they want.’
So, after years of Barbie being a problematic toy, has the new empowering and feminist film changed the minds of parents?
Katie Clark says that she was never interested in dolls growing up. However, now she has a two-year-old daughter who loves them – and the Barbie film has changed her previous outlook.
The mum, who works at Total Merchandise, explains: ‘I had long-dismissed Barbie dolls as blonde, partial to pink and not much more than that. But the opening moments of the film – which showed a group of young girls realising that dolls could be aspirational rather than just mothered – was genuinely thought-provoking.
‘The idea of my daughter one day playing with a toy that could inspire her to become a judge, an astronaut, a doctor or even just really, really good at rollerblading is magical.’
Parenting expert Amanda Jenner agrees and says she’s now more inclined to buy a Barbie or Ken doll for her kids, than she was previously.
Amanda explains: ‘The film positions Barbie as a positive roll model, and promotes many feminist and positive messages, which I support. In recent years we have seen the doll become more inclusive, body positive and diverse.
‘Although Margot Robbie and Barbie are still seen as the beauty “ideal” and you could argue that in some ways Barbie is still stuck in the past, overall I feel it’s a positive step forward for Barbie and throughout the film there are many positive affirmations and messages that I believe are beneficial for young girls to hear.’
However, it’s worth pointing out that others have noted that while the film boasts an incredibly diverse cast, this hasn’t translated over into the Barbie toy world just yet, with the lack of a plus-sized Barbie doll available.
But for mum-of-two Annette Kellow, the film has reaffirmed her childhood love for the toy and she wants her children to see the important message behind the doll.
She says: ‘I think the doll is really important to buy for kids now as women are realising that there’s still a long way to go with patriarchy. While the film is fun, it also represents a lot: that girls and women can still be feminine while being feminist. And that they have their careers – but also that they are having to stand up for what’s right and will unite to continue the fight. For me, I love the message.
‘My son always buys me a Barbie doll for my birthday and believes it’s my dream to own the Barbie dream house. I let him believe it as that’s the magic of childhood, so we play with them together.’
Whereas, mum Carly Lewis-Oduntan says that while she’s probably not more inclined to buy a doll for her kids following the film, she has purchased numerous Barbies previously and was pleasantly surprised.
She says: ‘I’ve previously bought them quite a few Barbies over the last couple of years, and I’ve been surprised to see how diverse the range is these days. This goes from skin tone and race to body shapes and hair types.’
This is echoed by parents Nathan and Sabrina Dennis – the co-founders of First Class Foundation – who add that their four children are no strangers to Barbie.
Sabrina says: ‘One of the reasons why we’ve favoured Barbie dolls over others on the shelves is because of the diversity that they represent.
‘Raising four strong Black girls who we want to empower to grow to be four strong Black women, having Barbie dolls that they can see themselves reflected back as matters.
‘Some of the Black Barbie dolls that we’ve bought most recently include ones with Afros, ones that use wheelchairs… dolls that, when I was growing up as a Black child, I couldn’t even dream of seeing. Their roles as chefs, dog walkers, teachers, scientists all matter, and what I think is most beautiful is that they all live in one massive Barbie dolls house together.
‘For me as a mum, I think the film is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote diversity and female empowerment in the mainstream.’
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MORE : Barbie may have a fantastically diverse cast – but we need an actual fat doll in real life
MORE : ‘Woke’ Barbie hit with backlash for being ‘anti-men’ and too feminist and it’s clear some viewers missed the memo
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