Busty Barbie

Really?

Mattel has launched a new line of Barbie dolls called "Back to Basics." The collection features numerous, ample-bosomed dolls, both black and white, in revealing clothing. While parents are upset over the line in general, one in particular -- the black-skinned, Busty Barbie -- has them seeing red.

Some say the Busty Barbie sends young girls the wrong message, while others say many children see their own mothers wearing similarly revealing outfits when they dress-up for dates with their boyfriends or husbands, and there is nothing wrong with the girls mimicking such things. Others note that this is actually part of the problem:

Reality shows such as Basketball Wives and the Real Housewives series feature several women whose only accomplishment is having married well. Busty Barbie, with her too-perfect breasts some say are meant to emulate fake boobs, and her revealing outfit is simply another step in this direction. According to these critics, though Busty Barbie is only symptomatic of a larger societal issue, she reinforces the wrong message being sent to American girls.

Mattel has not yet responded to the matter, but said the Back to Basics Collection is not going to be pulled from shelves. Busty Barbie, along with the rest of the line, is $20.00 and available at many mainstream outlets, including Target.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

UPDATE:  I have no idea if the image included is actually "Busty Barbie," as there is apparently a porn starlet which goes by the same name, so I didn't dig too deep.  I suppose I should remind you that this blog is not always appropriate for children... and, if that Barbie doll is real, it probably isn't either. - 2018