If Barbie has finally found her voice, it is very disappointing that the ideas she shares with her loyal fans and the world are serving to reinforce society`s stereotypes about females and school, such as ”Math class is tough.”
The author of your editorial, ”Now Barbie is supposed to shut up” (Oct. 5), seems to trivialize the impact that a simple toy may have on female children. As a university student and a future teacher I have both seen and felt the effects that society`s attitudes can have on individuals. Rather than providing ”positive reinforcement,” as the author suggests Barbie might, I believe Barbie`s message is just one more negative idea in a long line of ideas that children internalize and come to believe.
Issues of sex stereotyping and gender bias will be resolved only through a change in society, which unfortunately will not come overnight. A change of this magnitude will require many smaller steps.
By responding positively to the suggestions of the AAUW, Mattel can take a seemingly small but important step toward increased equality between the sexes. And maybe we`ll see a day when it won`t be necessary to get Ken`s comments on the issues-Barbie will be able to speak for herself.
