Monday, January 9, 2012

Cinderella Ate My Daughter; ARGUMENT.

Author: Peggy Orenstein
Title of article: Cinderella Ate My Daughter.
     This author, Peggy Orenstein argues about what the big significance is in separating boys and girls while they grow. She also argues about how toddlers and adolescent girls are being brought up by such an image made by toys that in the long run, betrays them.
     The separation between boys and girls, is it healthy or is it unhealthy? When I think about them playing together it is sweet and simple. It balances out every pretend session of "house". But it is true, as they grow older, if they're was not enough separation while playing in the school yard or being brought up as a child, I feel like they are more likely to try sexual things they've hear boys and girls doing. It is going to be a common instinct because it is an  area parents avoid when children are very young. They are also just realizing that they each have something that one another does not. This can cause obvious problems, but is this why toy companies attempt to separate boys from girls so often? Or is it just because of the money? Orenstein actually gets a statement  from a marketing executive from leap frog about this topic of separation, " If you make a pink baseball bat, parents will buy one for their daughter. Then if they subsequently have a son, they'll have to buy a second bat in a different color" (Orenstein pg.43).
     This princess, Barbie scheme is not what being a girl is all about. But how can these growing girls see that if all they are surrounded by and are brought up with is toys and other items that say otherwise? Many Disney characters are princesses to which these girls look up to. Being a princess, I think, must be every little girls dream. It becomes their ambition in life, they would love love love to be a princess. So they’re parents think nothing of it and surround them with princess like accessories, mostly everything consisting of the color PINK, here is a video of what one little girl thinks about this business. But as the kids grow older and begin to go to school, they should be introduced to real life. What I am saying is should the princess scheme be tied in with young girls schooling at all? Orenstein shares an experience that shocked her, "a little girl, adorned with a glittering plastic-and-rhinestone tiara and matching earrings, grinned down from it. WELCOME TO OUR CAMPUS, the banner read". With this being said, now we can see that these little girls are not only getting their princess fascination from toys at home, but also from experiences at school. As if looking like a princess and living like a princess is not enough, young girls are now being introduced to the princess story lines themselves, here is a link that will show you the way some Disney movies are viewed. These stories are filled with plenty of romance and sexuality, which leads to the major issue about this topic. Will these girls be shoved into maturing to quickly?
     My Point to share to which I will be bringing up in class on Wednesday is about pregnant Barbies. Many people do not know about the pregnant Barbie. It was not around for long, but when I ever found out about it I thought it was absolutely appalling. This Barbie is a perfect example of what would be "rushing" a child into adulthood. Here is a picture, I can't wait to see what you guys think!

7 comments:

  1. Wooow. I didn't know there were ever pregnant Barbies... I'm surprised that made it through the marketing department without anyone flagging it as potentially problematic from a PR perspective. I agree, the pregnant Barbie is implying a gender role for women that is unhealthy for girls to grow up surrounded by. This toy sends a message that women are valued only for their ability to have children.. it is an important part of life, yes, but there should be more emphasis placed on having a career, being creative, etc. Also to look at it from the toy maker's point of view. It really is not the toy makers' problem if people don't agree with the message one of their toys is sending children. If the parents don't like them, they don't have to buy them. America is great because we were built on the fact that every deserves certain liberties. People should be able to sell what they want (as long as its legal)- who are we to say they can or can't sell a toy because we don't agree with the message that it is sending children? good post!

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  2. Crazy. I too did not know there were pregnant Barbies. I also feel it's very unhealthy for girls to see this not only to purchase it but also seeing it on the shelves. As girls try to mimick Barbie by the dressing and accesorizing point, they start asking questions too early of, "Mommy why does Barbie look like that or why is Barbie fat?" Well if Barbie looks like that, I want to do the same. It sends a wrong message but I also agree with Ryland that who are we to say they can or can't sell a product because we don't agree with the message. Nice post Amanda and Ryland.

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  3. I was also shocked when you mentioned the pregnant Barbie in our small group in class. I can't believe this was allowed to be produced, because many parents make up stories about where babies come from, and like Ariel said this can really get kids asking questions about the subject, and might make them not believe anything else their parents might have told them about it in the past.

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  4. I was suprised too on that pregnant barbie. i didnt even know they made those!

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  5. I think that quote from Leap Frog makes a lot of sense from a marketing and sales standpoint. I don't think companies intentionally try to place sexism on kids, especially if that quote is their thought process. That pregnant barbie is freaky though!!!!!

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  6. totally agree the pregnant Barbie rushes girls into adulthood! its sooooo wierd!!

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  7. sorry to be repetitive, but pregnant barbie seriously freaks me out!

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