Barbie's Body

Sadly enough, Cain's claims still hold true today. Its not even just girls either, there are a number of guys who aim for better bodies, but probably wont say it out loud. The way the media shows people, it makes the viewer seem like they're the only one who isnt perfect. Everyday you hear about a celebrity who had a baby and two weeks later they've lost 20 pounds, and that makes average people strive for that. They'll never get those results because 9 tims out of 10 those average people will have average resources to getting thin, or looking borderline sick. Overall there is still this image that everyone tries to find for themselves, and say that they are somewhat proud of their body. The way the media puts the pressure I dont think anyone will think they're absolutely perfect for awhile.

Barbie's Body

Cain's article was published in 1996, and some of her analysis has changed but not by a lot. The only thing that actually changed is the fact that model agencies are putting more "plus size" models on runways and magazines. Although, the "plus size" models are still a lot thinner than what the average American woman is. Also, Barbie had a breast reduction; to portray a more realistic figure. Other than that, I believe that Cain's analysis is still very true. Children do look at toys for body image. Now, there are the BratZ dolls, which are very thin, big lips, big eyes, and long, silky hair. I have younger sisters who want to be "just like them". As for adults they do still look at models. There are so many new shows about models too; America's Next Top Model, Americas Most Smartest Model, and so on. There are times when the judges feel that the models are getting fat. So, when America sees this they feel horrified if they are fat then I must be a whale! The increase of fast food has made the latest generations very unhealthy. There are more obese children now then there ever was. So, the parents are trying to control this problem in the wrong ways. Self-image still plays a big role in American society today.

Is Barbie Perfect?

I feel that that it still hold true today. Even though her article was published eleven years ago, girls still think they need to be super thin. They look in a magazine and see supermodels or actresses and wish they were thin. Although the person on a magazine cover may not be that thin due to airbrushing, the magazine does not mention that fact. Girls need to become confortable with their body and not care what other people think.

Is Barbie's body really perfect?

I think that girls today have more problems with wanting their body to look perfect, than girls did in the past. Not only do girls have Barbie to look at and wish their bodies look like hers, but now the media forces perfect looking models on us all the time. Girls see the Victoria's Secret commercials on tv and automatically think that this is what they should look like. Unfortunately, the outcome of this is a lot of girls trying to get to that point by being unhealthy, there are so many more eating disorders than there used to be, all because somehow we got in our head that the only way to be beautiful so if you have the abnormal body of Barbie.