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I played with barbie and that never made me want to look like her.. so I dont really agree with that. If my kids like barbie I will let them play with her

I have no problem with Barbie, but my husband does. I played with Barbie and she was my favorite toy for many years and I would definitely buy Barbies for any daughter I have. (and play dolls with her too!)

My husband thinks as a feminist that it sends the wrong message to girls at impressionable ages. As an adult, I understand where he’s coming from, but playing with them as a child, I never wondered if I would look like Barbie, or wished to look like Barbie. My self esteem didn’t suffer as I grew into a tomboy figure and not Barbie’s figure. Even though her figure is obviously sexualized, I don’t find Barbies to be as sexualized as other dolls like Bratz dolls, which I don’t like for that reason.

I think if you encourage girls to grow into strong women and provide lots of positive role models, a doll isn’t going to cancel that out.

My sister and I loved barbies as children, mostly for the clothes. We never associated her with "what I want to be when I grow up". I was more interested in being my mom when I grew up, who is 5'2" and not Barbie shaped by any means. It was just so much fun to dress them up in the zillion outfits we had.

I played with them all the time. It didn't effect me negatively. If that's what my daughter wants to play with then she'll play with them

I played with Barbies and Jem as well. Never wanted or felt I had to look like her. At 8 SD has never had the desire to. To be honest she had recieved some as gifts. But its something she never had an interest in. Either way I would not have minded. I can see why some would feel they didnt want their children too. But IMO I dont think its that big of a deal. I would MUCH rather my child want a Barbie vs. those Brat dolls or some of the other dolls that are out these days! THOSE are disgusting to me!

My daughter will totally have barbies! I loved playing with them as a child and it never caused me any issues. Bratz dolls on the other hand....

She has Barbies. I had hundreds of Barbies growing up and I'm not disappointed or have low self esteem because I don't have plastic parts.

I think a lot of adults are just projecting their issues onto children.
In fact, I am trying to get my hands on the TokiDoki tattooed barbie. I wouldn't let her play with it though since it's an adult collectible.

MrsJazz-I agree with you on the hair part, but that starts at home. My daughter has natural hair and I am never ever going to put a relaxer in her hair and I've already told her to embrace her natural hair. If she chose to later in life to straighten it or put other chemicals in it, I told her that it's okay. Any hairstyle can be beautiful on a black woman as long as the hair style doesn't come from self hate. I've ruined my own hair because I grew up thinking it had to be straight like white people's to be beautiful. Now, I am ready to cut all of my hair off and be natural for real. I haven't had a relaxer in almost a year. Anyway, I don't think I will change her Barbie's hair, but I plan on educating her about all types of hair as she continues to grow.

I played with Barbies and I never had self-esteem issues because of it. If we have a daughter I will let her have Barbie dolls if she wants them.

I played with Barbies, and it never affected my view on myself or other people. It was a doll, which I knew wasn't realistic. So yes, if DD wants to play with Barbies, she will. DS actually played with some the other day!

@Miss Adia: I plan to do the same thing. I've been natural for a year and I HOPE her seeing my hair as she gets older, as well as other family members, helps her to love her hair. I don't plan to let her put one in until she's in college IF she wants it. I hope not.

@Miss Adia: I agree with you completely that it starts at home. My daughter won't have a relaxer, I haven't had one in almost 10 years. I'm not against having Barbies with straight hair--my daughter's grandma and auntie have relaxed hair--but I want her type/her mother's type of hair to be represented, too. Plus, I want one of those natural hair Barbies for myself

@MsMamaBear: I never would've thought of it either. I found out about these dolls through a blog I read and have the pages bookmarked. My sister and I gave our Barbies the worst hair cuts ever

MrsJazz-That's awesome! I didn't want to cut my hair, but my twist outs and bantu knots are not turning out right because I still have relaxed hair. So after the holidays I am doing the BC! At first I was just going to shave it all off and start over but my mother has begged me not to do that.

My daughter is in the cut everything up phase right now so her Barbies have some interesting looks.