Sexuality

I figured sexuality would be a difficult topic to discuss when it comes to virtual Barbie, which is why I saved it for last. Turns out, Barbie is all sexed up. The more I started paying attention to Barbie world and the activities that went on, the more I noticed all of the over-sexualized dolls running around. It was pretty funny/scary.

I have talked a lot about the physical characteristics of the Barbies a lot in my posts because that is what stands out the most. Barbie Girls is very stereotypical and shows a complete lack of diversity. But when looking for sexuality aspects of this virtual world, I have to go a little deeper than just clothes. Obviously, there are very clear issues with the wardrobes that young girls are using for their Barbies. From the knee high boots to the mini-skirts, tube tops and clown-like make-up, anyone over the age of 15 can tell Barbie is ready for the night life. Not only are these young girls learning that dressing provocatively is appropriate, but it is even promoted. Through the “Buzz and Goss” option, girls can vote on the “latest fave girl”. This interested me because I wanted to see exactly what these girls idolized and wanted to look like. After clicking on the option and praying that I didn’t have to be a VIP member to see her, this sexed up Barbie doll appeared on my screen in leather boots, a plaid mini skirt that is often seen as sexy in the media (it was a little raunchier looking than Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” music video) and a tight black tube top complete with a seductive look in her eyes. I was like “holy crap, this is Angelina Jolie”.. And we all know the impression she leaves.

The next shocking event was the fact that one of the options in Barbie Girls is to invite other Barbies to your room and visit other Barbie’s rooms. When you get to the rooms, you don’t really do anything there. You just chat and hang out. It is really very awkward, considering I do not typically go to someone’s bed room to hang out. I suppose it could be equivalent to a sleep over or something of the sort, although these girls have hair salons and modern Ikea-type furniture in their rooms. This made me think about sexuality because there are anywhere from 2 to 10 young girls sprawled across a bed at any given time. They do walk around and talk, but it is a weird setting to have a party in your bedroom.

I can only think that Barbie Girls gives teens, and younger girls, a chance to run freely without realizing how they are presenting themselves and expressing their sexuality. If their parents knew what their dolls looked like, I highly doubt they would approve. But the girls obviously see it as a chance to look “cool” and wear what they see promoted in the media, because that is who they look up to. Girls are becoming more familiar with celebrities, media and fashion at younger ages now than they were many years ago. This allows the media to leave an impression on these girls which can impact the way they express themselves in the future, which can be negative.

Do you think virtual Barbie gives young girls a chance to express their actual self without consequences, as we discussed in class, or do you think the girls dress provocatively because it is what they see in the media and how they are “supposed” to dress?