I find myself a little bit taken aback with the 'Architect Barbie' emails
having grown up with tales and toys from different cultures, sizes, colours
and shapes.
Before we go to add our votes to such an enterprise, have we thought about
the kind of stereo-typing we are encouraging? What are we saying about
these kind of role-models that are provided for young girls today?
Anyone who has seen a Barbie would realise that she isn't what one would
term ideal for a young girl to play with. She is endowed with what are
termed 'perfect' though rather well-endowed physique. And while she does
recently appear in many different skin colours these days, her features
don't change which makes her look even more unbelievable. Why do we wish to
identify ourselves with something so superficial and unreal?
I find it commendable certainly that designers and architects and others in
creative professions such as ours should be acknowledged. But isn't this
taking things a bit too far?
Regards,
Rathna Ramanathan
Research Student
Department of Typography & Graphic Communication
University of Reading
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