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Why I Never Played With Barbies

When I was young, I always wanted a Barbie. Every friend around me had one, so when I would visit their houses, I would love playing with her hair, dressing her up, and doing her make-up. I begged my parents to buy one for me, but they never would. 








So, before I turned 7, I asked my grandparents to buy me one for my birthday. Yet, my parents also intercepted that before they could buy it for me. Instead, I received a large dollhouse full of dolls of all ages, all skin tones, and dolls with disabilities. While I enjoyed playing with them, I still longed for a Barbie. I wanted a doll who looked like the women I saw in the movies with their perfect proportions and light skin. Even though my parents tried to keep me away from her, I couldn't help but start wanting to look like her. 

In hindsight, I'm glad I never got a Barbie when I was younger - who knows how that could have affected my self-esteem? Yet, when I grew older, I never stopped questioning why I wanted a Barbie so badly. Did I want to fit in with everyone else? Or was it some weird innate desire to conform to societal standards of beauty and perfection?

As the years passed, my perspectives have evolved. I am appreciative that my parents taught me about the importance of diversity and accepting people's differences. Their guidance has not only shaped my worldview but also instilled a deep respect for the things that make an individual unique.

Comments

  1. SLZFebruary 11, 2024 at 6:04 PM

    I really like how you discussed the way your parents trying to shield you from the stereotypical views of the world didn't stop you from seeing the world that way. It really shows how ingrained this view of the world is. I'm glad your parents tried showing you the world the way it really is, it really does make a difference even if you don't realize at the time. Individuality is really something special

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  2. Rhea PawarFebruary 11, 2024 at 8:35 PM

    I love how you theorized about why you longed for the Barbie so much back then. And the fact that your parents didn’t just say no but instead tried to supplement the toys with a taste of the real world!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Adeline AlexFebruary 11, 2024 at 8:49 PM

    I like how you acknowledge the fact that your desire for a barbie might be biased towards what society has set as the standard. Its also nice how you recognize that it’s good you didnt get a barbie due to these reasons as well.

    ReplyDelete

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