Mattel’s Barbie doll has been a part of every girl’s childhood. We have seen her in so many avatars be it a model or an astronaut or a doctor. From various careers that Barbie has been given it makes a girl open to different career avenues that are there for her.
In the latest commercial by Mattel a little girl is shown in the role of a college professor, a veterinarian, a soccer coach, a businesswoman and a museum guide. This is something done by them to answer all those who say Barbie is all about unachievable beauty standards. Mattel has done a great job in telling the world that girls are free to imagine they can be anything. It is an effort which shows there are no gender specific careers. There girl playing with Barbie imagines herself playing the role in which Barbie is presented to her. She thinks of taking that profession later in her life. It is a brilliant effort to tell girls they can became whatever they want to.
But have a look at the commercial again. A little closely. In every profession where the girls places herself she is always being laughed at. WHY??? Why can’t people take girls doing their job seriously. Does Mattel want to say girls can imagine whatever they want but the path won’t be easy, they will be laughed at and weird looks will be given as if they are not doing the right thing.
They did a commendable thing by telling the world that girls can imagine freely anything they want to but it would be a better thing if they had shown people taking those girls seriously. Mattel girls want to be anything without those stares from people so make something acceptable in every way next time.