Barbie Ban-Yea or Nay?by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 20 Aug 2009 12:37 PM A West Virginia lawmaker recently introduced legislation calling for a ban on Barbie dolls in the Mountain State. The pretty, plastic blonde is an icon in the toy world, yet her legendary status hasn't stopped Lincoln County Delegate, Jeff Eldridge from wanting her to disappear from his neck of the woods. If Eldridge gets his way Barbie will be banned from West Virginia store shelves. Oh, and Eldridge says parents will thank him for it. "I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty," Eldridge told local news reporters. Eldridge introduced the bill earlier this month, and notes that he doesn't have a personal grudge against the 11.5-inch tall fashionista. Rather, he says he wants lawmakers to stop the sale of any doll that puts too much importance on physical beauty. Eldridge added, "I knew a lot of people was going to joke about it and make fun of me, I couldn't get anybody to sign on the bill with me and I said I'm still going to introduce it." According to reports, Eldridge's Barbie ban bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee, though it's not expected to go much further. Del. Nancy Peoples Guthrie told reporters: "I think that it's nice to have a male member of the House of Delegates worried about women's image and what they're supposed to do or what they think they're supposed to do to succeed. However, My sense is that this is probably not a bill that's going to pass." Ya think? I wholeheartedly admit that I was a HUGE Barbie fan as a child. I collected more than a dozen Barbies before my 12th birthday and used my own money to purchase all of her accessories, save for her Dream House with working elevator. I'm still upset with Santa for not delivering on that promise. (The Santa at my local mall assured me that if I was a good girl I would wake on Christmas morning the new owner of a three story Barbie mansion. Apparently, I wasn't good enough.) Still, as obsessed with the doll, as I was, I never let it get the best of my self-image. I was the antithesis of Barbie. Instead of being blonde, leggy and well endowed, I was short, brunette and flat chested. Amazingly, even with those factors presumably working against me, I actually went on dates, got into college, had a successful career and became a mother. Bottom line: I think there's a better way to foster a girl's self worth and bolster her confidence than banning a plastic doll from store shelves. What do you think? Personally, I think if Eldridge really wants to do some good, he should work on ridding the world of Bratz dolls. Related Articles: Would You Buy Your Preschooler a "Twilight" Barbie? Bratz Gets the Boot from Schools Are You A Part Of The "Bratz" Universe? Dora the Explorer is Getting a Makeover: What's a Parent to do? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantparenting tags User Comments Samual (11722) 20 Aug 2009 01:13 PMAll good where barbie is concerned, I'm not keen on bratz though. I can understand adults not liking barbies appearance, I had action man as a kid, but it didn't make me believe I had to virtually no body hair and muscles everywhere.  Michele Cheplic |
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