This week marked several 50th anniversaries. It was the anniversary of President Obama's 50th day in office, Lilly Pulitzer marked 50 years of happy-hue clothing designs, the Dalai Lama entered exile 50 years ago, and Barbie turned 50!
President Obama's 50th day in office sparked questions concerning gray hair and whether or not gray hair is determined by our genes or caused by stress. Martha Stewart celebrated Lilly Pulitzer's 50th jubilee by having her entire studio audience dress in Lilly attire. Sadly, not much attention was given to the Dalai Lama. Barbie, however, is having a splendid 50th birthday celebration - Mattel has built a 3,500 square-foot Malibu mansion for Barbie and her celebrity friends to party. When the party is over, the mansion will become a Barbie Museum.
Embarrassingly, Barbie's birthday interests me the most out of the week's jubilees. Babs is 50 and fabulous – how could she not be? For her 50th, Mattel has given her a makeover. Based on "Dr. Czzy's" observations (who does not treat Barbie), she has indeed had some "plastic" work done. Her lips appear plumper; she has a thinner jaw line, larger eyes, and not a gray hair in sight!
The concept of Barbie is amusing. As a child, my mother would not allow me to have a Barbie Doll, which probably explains my interest in the toy's anniversary. My mother, who was a product of the women's rights movement, believed that the Barbie doll exploits women as sex objects. She's right, Barbie did and still does, but at least now she has a brain.
Here are a few facts about our brainy friend: She debuted on March 9, 1959, and her full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts. She is from the fictitious town of Willows, Wisconsin, and she has had an impressive 108 careers in her 50 years - that's 2.16 careers per year. If she were life size, she would be 5'9", her measurements would be 39-18-33, and her shoe size would be a size 3. According to studies done on Barbie's measurements, if she were human, she would have to crawl around on all fours, as she would not be able to balance her buxom chest with her tiny feet! The studies also indicate that a "real" woman of these proportions would not have enough body fat to menstruate. Perhaps that is why Barbie never had an heir!
Barbie comes with every imaginable accoutrement a girl could want. She has a dream house, a beach house, and a convertible, among other material objects. She has an enviable wardrobe with matching shoes and a handbag for each outfit. She even dons an outfit for each of her 108 careers. Have you ever seen an astronaut look so chic in a space suit?
My mother was progressive for her time. She was a young mother of five, and tough as nails. She never gave in to the things that really counted – like her beliefs. I was desperate for a Barbie doll - all the girls had them, but my mother never gave in. Do not feel sorry for me, I have had my fair share of Barbie time. I was a resourceful young lady, and spent many afternoons playing with our neighbor and her collection of Barbie dolls while her mother and mothers boyfriend practiced yoga, naked, in the room next door - How's that for progressive?
My mother was far from naive and was well aware of my surreptitious Barbie play. To her credit, she looked the other way - I think she appreciated my gumption. It was not until many years later that my mother found out about the naked yoga - she took it well.
Ironically, it was my mother who bought Elizabeth her first Barbie doll. I was shocked. When I questioned this contradiction, she said, "It's just a princess." Albeit, a princess with large, perky breasts, and not a bit of cellulite! Don't all princesses look like that?
To this day, I cannot look at a Barbie doll without seeing all the silly sexist elements to the doll - it is actually quite humorous. However, and clearly I am not a psychologist (just a "plastic" surgeon!), I believe that just as playing with a toy gun does not make a boy a killer, that playing with a Barbie doll will not psychologically damage a young girls self esteem and/or body image (Hollywood has that one covered!).
My mother passed away several years ago - it would have been fun to talk to her about Barbie's 50th anniversary. I am sure that she would have had some insightful thoughts and comments, and possibly a real explanation for why it was okay for Elizabeth to have a Barbie doll, and not me. My guess is, that with time, she learned that it isn't the doll that makes the girl, but rather good mothering and she was the best!
If I could design a 50th anniversary Barbie, I would name her "Menopause Barbie." She would have a flirty salt and pepper bob, and wear a Dalai Lamaesque toga, with Lilly Pulitzer prints. I would of course preserve her fabulous plastic fantasy figure, and she would come complete with a boy toy. "Life in plastic is fantastic….."
Happy Birthday Barbie!
