The Barbie: a universal children's toy adored and loved by many. Since the year 1959, Barbies have become a staple in every young girl's life, but are Barbies really just an innocent doll? Is it really just a bunch of plastic with no meaning? The simple answer is no. Emily Prager’s article, “Our Barbies, Ourselves,” opened my eyes to a whole new perspective of Barbies.

Oddly, Sparrow and Hawk missile designer Jack Ryan was a consultant for Barbie’s design. It is puzzling to consider a man who spent a lifetime making weapons held such a significant role designing a toy for little girls. However, this toy is not so innocent. This toy acts as a weapon against young girl’s minds.

Growing up I used to play with Barbie dolls and watch all the Barbie movies you can imagine. I always wondered how Barbies were so perfect: perfect friends, perfect hair, perfect body, perfect life. They were always so put together.

Even at 16, why can’t I be more like Barbie? Where is my beautiful blonde hair, flushed cheeks, and baby pink lips. How do I get my eyes just like her blue ones, and what do I need to do to get an impossibly tiny waist? Why is it so hard to look like something that was supposed to portray a “real woman?” The truth is, Barbies can never be a realistic representation of women. Jack Ryan’s design is a fantasy, based on how he expected women to be.

Yet, Ken, aside from his plastic 6 pack, is a much more realistic representation of the average man. Why is it that the false reality and expectations did not extend to him? 

 Growing up, there was never a Barbie on the shelf that ever looked like me: the imperfect me, the flawed me. Now, I know though, the real me, me with my brown eyes and hair, bump on my nose, and a torso actually filled with organs, is just fine. But, the effect Barbie’s perfection can have on a young girl’s mind is harsh. 

You cannot let Barbie’s unrealistic perfection poison your mind.

I was lucky to have a mom that always reminded me there is no such thing as perfect, but in my mom’s eyes, I was pretty close. She didn’t see the flaws I saw. She never fed into my insecurity. She always reminded me I am unique, which goes much further than Barbie’s perfection.

Jack Rayan may have intended to poison young girls' minds, but he will not win. I’ve found Barbie’s biggest flaw: she can never be real. She is nothing but a plastic doll.