The recent statement made by Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi lamenting the popularity of Barbie in Tehran toy stores struck a chord of sympathy in me. Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, let me explain myself further.
As a feminist concerned with women’s well being, I believe that Barbie dolls are “destructive”, as Najafabadi remarks. But that is where my agreement with him stops. Barbie Dolls are destructive because they promote an unrealistic standard of female body type, emphasizing the importance of womens physical appearance over her intellect. As a child growing up in Iran, I have firsthand experience, as do many other girls, of unhealthy norms, such as a skinny physique and high hills, cultivated by Barbie culture. The question is how to promote a more healthy play culture for girls?
The remedy offered by conservative officials in Iran, such as Najafabadi, is to stress the importance of familial values, through the country’s own line of Dolls, Sara and Dara. However, this remedy is as problematic as the cultural norms promoted by Barbie dolls.
I’m not attacking Iranian culture, but suggesting that certain gendered familial values promote unhealthy cultural norms that harm women. Some examples are; the belief that women are naturally suited for the household, females are the main care takers of children, it is sufficient for women to gain a meaningful existence by being good mothers and wives….the list goes on.
What I suggest parents and concerned individuals do is to create healthier role models for girls to choose from, starting with our selves. To elucidate my argument, I am simply saying that I can make a change in the world by simply refusing to buy into the Barbie culture. My younger cousins often look up to me, as do many other girls to older females, and I try to set an example through my own living. I try not to obsess with my looks, weight and clothing, and to not judge other women according to those standards. Though truth be told, it’s not always easy.
