In 1959, Barbie made her official debut in the New York Toy Show. For several years Barbie has been a play pal, a collectors item, and a friend to all young girls and women around the world. The Bratz dolls made their cinema debut in 2006. They have won several toy industry awards as well as several Toy of the Year and other awards from Family Fun and the Toy Industry Association. Bratz are currently sold in nearly 70 countries worldwide.
So what's the fuss? Well, in recent studies, mothers across the US felt like Bratz dolls have "diva-like" makeup, "extreme facial structure, provocatively clothing", and that "Barbie has a more positive image". One little girl even said that Barbie was a prettier doll.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, are the mothers saying this because of the Bratz full figured lips, slanted eyes, and olive skin tone? Look at it this way, the original Barbie has always been known for her D-cup breast size, 20 inch waist, long thin frame, tiny pink/red lips, tiny turned up nose, and her long stringy hair. How many women look like this? Personally, I don't know one person who looks like Barbie. Now, do I know people who look like the Bratz or have similar features. Bratz dolls are simply the faces of the people that walk this earth everyday. So should we consider multi-ethnic dolls to have "extreme facial structure".
Somehow I have a feeling that the little girls that played with dolls before Barbie weren't dealing with anorexia, poor self-image, and other serious issues.
