Hetero Barbie Summary

The hetero barbie article proposed an idea that I was not expecting. I never thought of Barbie in any other way but a doll which promotes feminism and stereotypical gender roles. All Barbie's are very thin with long legs, long hair, and loads of makeup. There has always been controversy on whether Barbie's were good for young girls. Many studies attempt to link Barbie with low self esteem and eating disorders in young girls. Hetero Barbie proposed a different theory about the Barbie doll, one I have never heard before. In the article, Rogers mentions how Barbie is not married, she is not a mother, she does not bend to Ken's will, etc. Barbie shows a strong sense of independence, with different occupations and travel involved as well. The article also suggests Barbie could be a drag queen; as she dresses ultrafemine, similar to drag queens. Barbie is often criticized for her heterosexual normativity, but in reality her sexuality is up for interpretation. In the article, Rogers writes, "In the extreme Barbie might be a lipstick lesbian, a lesbian fem, or a lesbian closeted more tightly than most who choose not to "come out". She might be a bisexual woman who once cared about and pursued a relationship with Ken but now prefers her "best friend" Midge....Barbie might be asexual". The article also focuses on a young homosexual man, Osborne, and his extensive Barbie collection. Osborne is an example of how Barbie's sexuality and image can be up for interpretation for people of all sexual preferences. He has collected Barbie's since he was thirteen and for him they are more than just dolls. Overall, the article is very eye opening to the uncommon interpretations of the Barbie doll. Although Barbie is criticized much in the media for a variety of reasons, there is much good it does to society. Giving individuals like Osborne comfort in their sexuality, and the reality that it is okay to stray from the normal gender classifications.