Doing Too Much: Barbie is supposedly teaching our daughters ‘self-care’ and we’re not buying it
Article By Amanda Moore // EEW Magazine // Wellness
A major corporation is jumping on the self-care bandwagon, and some parents are skeptical about their true intent—me being one of them.
Mattel recently unveiled its Barbie Wellness Collection that, according to them, is created to “introduce girls to the benefits of self-care through play.”
The collection includes: Barbie Fashionista Breathe With Me Barbie that guides kids through five different meditations; Barbie Spa Doll that comes complete with a bath brush, bath bombs, and a candle; Spa Day Fitness Doll adorned in athleisure, carrying a protein bar; and three spa day–themed playsets.
In a company statement, Mattel says, “The collection teaches girls daily routines that promote emotional well-being and includes three key themes: meditation, physical well-being, and self-care, because Barbie knows, to be one’s best is to give yourself the best care.”
Felicia from Montgomery wrote to EEW Magazine Online editors and asked if our editorial staff thought Mattel was “going too far” with its Barbie dolls by teaching toddlers and young girls about meditation and spa days. Well, we got our hands on the dolls, and let’s just say, maybe they are doing a bit too much.
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Personally, I review many products for EEW Magazine Online from retailers and companies attempting to promote their wares. I’ve seen a lot in my day, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about my own five-year-old daughter learning about pampering and meditation techniques instead of just simply playing and having fun. Whatever she needs to learn about self-care, I think I can do a fine job teaching her myself.
Yolanda in Boston told EEW Magazine Online that “some women are overreacting.” She thinks the Wellness Collection dolls are “perfectly girly, innocent, and fun.” She added, “Besides, who doesn’t want their daughters to grow into women who advocate for and prioritize self-care?”
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While I am not arguing against self-care (and I don’t think any of the other non-fans of the line are either), I do think Mattel should be careful about defining what self-care looks like for girls—especially girls who grew up like I did— in low-income families that can’t afford pricey spas and a bunch of pampering products.
Anyway, should kids be thinking about de-stressing, unwinding, meditating and eating a post-workout protein bar? Some say yes, but I say no.
Look, spa days are great and all (if you can afford them), but anyone can just as well get some good relaxation time in by staying home, lighting candles, soaking in a bubble bath, spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and never paying a dime.
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I feel that the collection, even if unintentionally, puts self-care into a pigeonhole. It preconditions the minds of young girls to view self-care through a one-dimensional lens which may condition them in the future to spend money they don’t have and purchase excessive products in the name of self-care.
However you feel about it, I think we can all agree that, already, too many women are falling victim to corporate schemes and marketing strategies that have, for a long time, effectively separated women from their hard-earned money in exchange for worthless goods claiming to make their lives better.
What’s next? Diet Barbie with meal plan suggestions?
