How many of you remember opening up the box of a brand new Barbie doll? The toy may be a staple for you, your mom, your grandma -- and now even your daughter. However, sales for the doll have declined four years in a row. The Mattel company is trying to change that and appeal to a new audience.
Barbie critics have long said the plastic doll is too rigid when it comes to beauty standards, which is why Mattel hopes the new "realistic" Barbie breaks that mold. There are three new body types: curvy, tall and petite. We wanted to see what children thought of the new dolls.
It is funny when you notice how children use toys to act more like adults. A group of five little girls who tested the dolls immediately decided the dolls were going to visit the mall and then go swimming at a beach party. Our pint-sized panelists were all familiar with Barbie. That is not surprising when you consider the doll has been mainstream for the last 57 years.
"They're all the same. They're all the same with different clothes. Yeah, they're all the same. They're all blondies, like normal average Barbie," Mollie Kruse said.
Here is why that can be a bit of a concern. Becky Palugyay, a Sanford Mental Health Counselor, says the children she works with often compare themselves to what they see.
"Some have made the comment, 'Oh, they have very pretty hair. They have such pretty clothes. I wish I had prettier clothes.' Or they make the comment...they will notice the small waist on the Barbie," Palugyay said.
Palugyay says those comparisons can stick with children and follow them as they grow up. That can lead to low self-esteem if children feel they are never living up to a certain ideal image. The new dolls are different than what we have seen. Some have a wider waist, taller legs or they are shorter. Two four-year-olds we talked with are still too young to notice why those features may be important. However, they did spot differences they like, including the hair.
"She has black on (her hair). I wish I had black and blue (hair). I could show my best friend!" Annika Graning said.
Brady Mallory: What do you like about her hair?
Emmalyn Sage: Just that it is blue.
Brady: Is it pretty? Would you ever want to have blue hair?
Emmalyn: No.
The older girls, who are seven, noticed more about the dolls. However, they were still too young to truly understand the sociological impacts that may come from changing the body of a doll. They mostly just enjoyed that they look different from Barbie's so-called standard look. Palugyay says that could have a lasting and important impact as they grow up.
"I think we're moving toward a world that accepts others for who they are," Palugyay said.
The dolls are just toys, but they may be small steps toward encouraging boys and girls to accept each other.
Brady: Is it good to see different people in real life, too?
Girls: Yeah.
Brady: How come?
Mollie: Because no matter what, everyone is different and I think it's nice that everyone is different. Otherwise we'd all be doing the same thing and it wouldn't be fun.
When it comes to real life adult matters, it is funny some of the wisest observations come children.
Barbie critics have long said the plastic doll is too rigid when it comes to beauty standards, which is why Mattel hopes the new "realistic" Barbie breaks that mold. There are three new body types: curvy, tall and petite. We wanted to see what children thought of the new dolls.
It is funny when you notice how children use toys to act more like adults. A group of five little girls who tested the dolls immediately decided the dolls were going to visit the mall and then go swimming at a beach party. Our pint-sized panelists were all familiar with Barbie. That is not surprising when you consider the doll has been mainstream for the last 57 years.
"They're all the same. They're all the same with different clothes. Yeah, they're all the same. They're all blondies, like normal average Barbie," Mollie Kruse said.
Here is why that can be a bit of a concern. Becky Palugyay, a Sanford Mental Health Counselor, says the children she works with often compare themselves to what they see.
"Some have made the comment, 'Oh, they have very pretty hair. They have such pretty clothes. I wish I had prettier clothes.' Or they make the comment...they will notice the small waist on the Barbie," Palugyay said.
Palugyay says those comparisons can stick with children and follow them as they grow up. That can lead to low self-esteem if children feel they are never living up to a certain ideal image. The new dolls are different than what we have seen. Some have a wider waist, taller legs or they are shorter. Two four-year-olds we talked with are still too young to notice why those features may be important. However, they did spot differences they like, including the hair.
"She has black on (her hair). I wish I had black and blue (hair). I could show my best friend!" Annika Graning said.
Brady Mallory: What do you like about her hair?
Emmalyn Sage: Just that it is blue.
Brady: Is it pretty? Would you ever want to have blue hair?
Emmalyn: No.
The older girls, who are seven, noticed more about the dolls. However, they were still too young to truly understand the sociological impacts that may come from changing the body of a doll. They mostly just enjoyed that they look different from Barbie's so-called standard look. Palugyay says that could have a lasting and important impact as they grow up.
"I think we're moving toward a world that accepts others for who they are," Palugyay said.
The dolls are just toys, but they may be small steps toward encouraging boys and girls to accept each other.
Brady: Is it good to see different people in real life, too?
Girls: Yeah.
Brady: How come?
Mollie: Because no matter what, everyone is different and I think it's nice that everyone is different. Otherwise we'd all be doing the same thing and it wouldn't be fun.
When it comes to real life adult matters, it is funny some of the wisest observations come children.