“Tiny Shoulders”

Tiny Shoulders is a documentary on Hulu about Barbie. It is a very well-done film that looks at the recent revamping of the iconic doll and the history.

Part of why they are coming up with different body types available in the dolls is because people are saying the doll is too unrealistic. Duh. It’s a doll.

I know this may not be a very popular opinion, but that’s my opinion. There’s worry over how these dolls are affecting how children see themselves. I feel like that responsibility falls on the parents, the adults in the child’s life. That responsibility should not fall on the plastic shoulders of Barbie or any other doll.

I grew up with a Barbie, a Ken, and a Courtney doll. I had a little pink plastic suitcase to hold them and their stuff. But I never looked at them as models of what to become. My Barbie was a Doctor Barbie, complete with lab coat and doctor’s bag with stethoscope, cast, and other tools. But she, and Courtney and Ken, were toys. Nothing more. Because I saw the real people around me and the variety that was there. Any body issues I have come from society at large, not from my Barbie doll.

Having more skin colors and heights and weights and variety in the dolls is not a bad idea. But the fact that they’re doing it because they keep getting the critique from the media that she’s too unrealistic makes me sad. Granted, that’s not the only reason, but it’s the one that comes up the most often.

But, as I watch, I’m seeing different skin colors and hair colors and heights and weights, but it’s still the same clothing. What about a tomboy Barbie? What about a Barbie who wears a headscarf and covers her arms and legs? What about a Barbie without make-up? I’m hoping those Barbies exist and I just haven’t seen them.

I do have to agree with the fact that Barbie is encouraging and enforcing conspicuous consumption. Barbie is all about having great clothing, a house, a car, the latest gadgets, etc. When Barbie talked, she’d usually talk about going shopping. And having a Barbie encourages conspicuous consumption. You should be buying more clothing and more play sets to play with her and Ken. But Barbie is a part of our consumer culture. I can’t blame her for that.

But, the documentary is completely worth your time. Go watch Tiny Shoulders on Hulu. I’d love to hear what you think.