With our class discussion focused on Barbie dolls, I found myself trying to relate. I did not play with Barbie dolls as a child, but I did play with GI Joes. I guess we refer to GI Joes as “action figures,” but they basically fill the same niche as Barbie dolls, except for males.
I know one of the criticisms of Barbie dolls, as per our class discussion, is that it creates a so called “ideal” female physique. This is the physique that women should aspire to and men supposedly find most attractive. However, the physique depicted in Barbie dolls is nearly unattainable. As demonstrated in blog post “Anorexic Barbie,” such a physique looks rather absurd and is not exactly attractive (just my opinion). Yet, many young girls still aspire to this “ideal,” starving their bodies, and creating a host of other problems in their pursuit.
All can agree that there is strong pressure for females to have a certain physique due to the influence of Barbie and other popular sources. But, females are not the only ones who bear such a burden. Men also face similar pressures from society. Take the GI Joe doll depicted above. From a young age, males play with these dolls. Based on the hero status associated with the GI Joe, young boys try to emulate him, in every way. This includes his physique. Many, many young men begin lifting weights and eating a certain diet with the hopes of attaining a comparable body. However few realize the volume of work and years of dedication required to succeed in this endeavor. Often, when they do not see immediate results, they become discouraged and quit. In doing so, they not only lose out on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle based on moderation, they also lose self-confidence and adopt a defeatist attitude. This attitude can have effects in other aspects of their life as well.
Ultimately, I believe the societal pressures on females represented in Barbie dolls, especially with regard to physique, are comparable to those represented by GI Joe.
Gaurav
Really great post – I was also thinking about the implications behind the GI Joe. I never had one as a kid, but I know about them and can imagine some of the stigmas they carry. There are also distinct ideas of masculinity conveyed beyond physical physique – concepts of honor, militarism, strength, composure, and an aversion to emotion. Whether or not a young child will be impressionable to this kind of thing is questionable, but it is certainly a valid question with Barbie and GI Joe alike.