I'm not sure how many of you read The Onion, (a satirical newspaper and touted as "the funniest publication in the U.S.", in which I am using an article to spark some discussion in a non-threatening way.
There was an article regarding a new doll, called "Plain Pamela", who measures 5-foot-4, 179-pound woman in her mid-30s, wears equivalent of a size 14.
Now, as I mentioned, this doll is not actually being manufactured, but what if she did exist?
- What would be the positive and negative ramifications of girls' self-esteem, and ultimately, their mental health?
- How much does the media play in a girl's body image?
- How much is a distorted or negative body image associated with disordered eating or eating disorders in our society?
Just for laughs, the Plain Pamela doll would be customizable, and come with "four interchangeable hairstyles: Just-Woke-Up, Too-Long, Too-Short, and What's-the-Point-of-Even-Trying-Anymore-It's-Not-Like-It's-Going-to-Make-a-Difference." Plain Pamela also comes with accessories, including the "Plain Pamela Cramped Studio Apartment, complete with special Dinner-for-One Kitchenette and Depressing Stack of Old People Magazines."
Do you think toy manufacturers who would offer an alternative body image, for both boys and girls, would foster and support healthy body image, healthy self-esteem, and ultimately, healthy mental health?
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment7 Comments
Ha! This is a great discussion.... well, I remember so clearly being a teenaged girl with no weight problems and yet still hiding out underneath enormous, baggy, quite often hideously ugly clothes due to the fact that I lived in Brooklyn NY and had to take the subway to high school in Manhattan which meant long periods of time out in the world, in the city, on the subway. The unwarranted and creepy male attention that felt downright violent and intrusive was so overwhelming to me that I shut down completely. Barbie doll type sexuality frightened the heck out of me as a young girl - I wasn't overweight but nevertheless felt completely and utterly inadequate, rushed, hopelessly flawed, unwomanly and not pretty.
The media tramples young women with images of perfection, period - whether its weight or another issue. I remember being more shamed about matching and adorable outfits which I could never seem to put together or feel motivated to shop for, perfectly applied lipstick and coiffed hair, all of which did NOT come naturally to me and to this day I truly struggle to find my way with these issues.
Barbie and the images of these dolls and the glossy advertising makes us feel we are not able to celebrate and look for lovers who adore, admire and love us for our intelligence, our humor, our loving qualities, our souls. I still wrestle with a sense of not measuring up, every day of my life. My eye still measures and compares my "lashes" with her "lashes" when I see an ad for mascara.... now in my forties, I scan the images of celebrities at my age, Brooke Shields, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Courteney Cox and wonder how they can still "look so young!"
It's a cultural disease.
Thanks for bringing this out!
June 16, 2009 - 6:15pmThis Comment
I agree that it's not the dolls. I had a Barbie and I never thought she was something to aspire to become! I thought her feet were funny, being so teeny and that her boobs were weird mounds.
June 11, 2009 - 11:35pmI do, however, agree that it's society that is to blame for women and girl's self image.
Pop culture (teenage pop stars), the normalization of pornography in our society, shows on TV that obsess on weight and make up, Victoria secret adds, the sexualization of the teenager at a younger and younger age...these things all add to a female's confusion about her role in society. As a European, I am constantly amazed at how "normal" and accepted it is for grown men to drool at young girls; the baby sitter, A young pop star, Barely Legal magazine, etc..
The Onion is a great paper and the idea of the overweight doll, a funny one, but not really helpful in actually fixing us of our skewed perspectives as female beings.
This Comment
haha. Plain Pamela would be funny to see manufactured- though I do think she would be sending out the wrong message. As a child, I grew up with hundreds of Barbie dolls and not once did I think that I wasn't skinny enough like Barbie was. I think the problem doesn't lie within the dolls alone-- it's society, the media, and sadly, some of our parents. I grew up with a friend who's mom was always comparing us and calling her fat, now she is heavier than ever. :(
June 10, 2009 - 5:51amWe have a responsibility as parents to teach our children healthy lifestyles and that beauty is NOT to be stick thin. I, personally, don't consider runway models beautiful.
If Plain Pamela was available, I don't think I would purchase her-- just because I think that if a child is having body issues Pamela would just add to the confusion. You're going from Barbie who is at least 5'7", 115lbs and let's face it, she's not going anywhere. To Pamela who is 5'4" and 179lbs. That's a big jump. And although there are lots more real life Pamela's than there are Barbie's, it still doesn't make being overweight ideal in my eyes.
This Comment
Personally, I like the "Big and Beautiful" ads in some fashion magazine, enabling plus-sized women to view themselves as attractive. How we present ourselves in public is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves.
I'm a bit overweight and my BMI is a bit higher than it should be, but I'm pretty fit and look fairly good in well-fitted, age-appropriate clothes.
Frankly, anyone can be attractive in well-fitted, age-appropriate, flattering clothes and good grooming. I think it's important that we parents teach this principle to our daughters and help deflect the effects of the onslaught of mixed messages in media.
I think girls who are raised with a healthy sense of self esteem out grow Bratz and Barbie in all due time.
P.S. I love The Onion!
June 9, 2009 - 5:32pmThis Comment
Agree 100% Alysia on the point about "well-fitted, age-appropriate, flattering clothes". Has anyone watched the TLC show "What not to wear". That's the point of the show. It is both sad and wonderful when you see how women who had been laboring under the impression that they weren't beautiful see themselves after getting some fashion advice and taking it to heart- they were taught they weren't beautiful because they didn't fit the "mold". Its not what you got, its what you do with what you got - and that comes from the inside out.
June 17, 2009 - 8:04amThis Comment
Dear Allison B,
I strongly agree with your important question about self-esteem in girls and the messages in the media - especially from doll manufacturers. Everyone wants to enjoy life; and feeling good about ourselves is important at all ages. To me, there needs to be more focus on the natural gifts of girls/ladies, our awareness of these gifts, and our relationships in the environment around us.
A book I have recently written may help in this direction and I want to draw it to your attention, as you may be interested in it. The title is "Soul Talk With Cells: What We Really Want Is To Play". If you have any questions, I am most willing to offer my views on this topic.
Flora Sue Gardner
June 9, 2009 - 12:13pmThis Comment
Hi Flora Sue Gardner,
This is what EmpowHer.com is all about...sharing our views with one another!
What are your views on this topic?
Please note: we are unable to display links to products and services for sale, as the intention of this site is to openly share health information, experiences and stories (as a Moderator, I removed the link to your book and personal website).
June 9, 2009 - 4:33pmThis Comment