No, this isn't about the physical aspects of Barbie®. In fact, it's important to stress to children that looks do not effect intelligence or character. Banning Barbie® on looks alone is contradictory to that. No, specifically this topic is centering on Kitty Fun Barbie™ and her new cat Marshmallow™.
Kitty Fun Barbie™ has a lever which causes her left arm to fling out. The manufacturer's goal is to guide children to tossing treats to the cat. This restricts other activities that a child might like to have their Barbie® participate in, but no one addresses these "disabilities." This also promotes throwing, which is not acceptable in many households, especially throwing at living things. In the end however, the problem with Kitty Fun Barbie™ does not revolve around the doll. It's the cat that causes the problem.
Marshmallow™, Barbie's® sixth cat, comes with a bottle and litter box. The fact that a bottle is used to feed the cat not only goes against the realistic approach the manufacturers are pushing with Kitty Fun Barbie™ but also tempts children to feed animals by hand. An idea which can be dangerous to both pet and child.
Marshmallow™ also uses the litter box, literally. After the bottle feeding, children are encouraged to take their pet to the little box and empty it's bladder. Obviously Mattel® has not considered the ramifications of this action. Pets can be seriously hurt when being handled by a child. In turn, children can be seriously harmed when handling pets inappropriately.
Before parents purchase a toy they should consider if it leaves enough to the imagination. Are children given the freedom to make their own fantasies or are they being pushed to too narrow of a situation? Are the abilities of the toy in line with family rules and values? Most importantly, is the toy safe not only in it's physical makeup, but in the actions it promotes?
Go To Page: 1
