Barbie, an icon of American childhood and the quintessential doll for young girls worldwide, has a far more complex and disturbing origin than many realize. The roots of Barbie trace back to the 1950s, in postwar Germany, where the doll was not a plaything for children but an adult novelty item. This doll, named Bild Lilli, was predominantly marketed to men, often kept as an automobile accessory, akin to a Hawaiian hula dancer figurine, or given as a gag gift at bachelor parties. Lilli was essentially viewed as a sex doll, a fact that often leads to a pause in the narrative due to its controversial implications.
The Bild Lilli doll was a West German line of fashion doll launched by Greiner & Hausser GmbH on August 12, 1955, and produced until 1964.
However, delving deeper, the Bild Lilli doll was based on a comic strip character of the same name, which emerged in the 1950s. Going back further, the inspiration for Lilli derived from an earlier song, "Lili Marlene", dating back to the 1910s. An even more troubling connection links Lilli to a propagandic postcard featuring a character called Li Li. Used as a recruitment tool during the war, the postcard marketed the idea to German men that enlisting would afford them opportunities to encounter beautiful French women.
Analyzing these interconnected influences offers an eye-opening perspective on body expectations and their socio-cultural implications. Germany's post-war body expectations evolved over time, significantly influencing contemporary perceptions. Notably, Karl Lagerfeld, a renowned German fashion designer, propagated the normative standard of beauty that prizes thinness and youth.
These beauty norms, however, are inherently problematic. In essence, they are steeped in racism, colonialism, and fascism. The ideal body type, as established by these standards, represents a slender, typically Caucasian, young woman, thereby excluding a vast majority of individuals who don't conform to these features. Yet, the effects of these standards extend far beyond being merely 'problematic'.
The body expectations imposed by these influences have tangible, harmful consequences. Studies show that larger women tend to earn less money, signifying a fat-shaming culture deeply entrenched in pay disparity and workplace discrimination. Furthermore, individuals, especially women, resort to unhealthy practices to alter their bodies, driven by the pressure to fit into an ideal body image rooted in fascist ideals. They often undertake drastic diets or invasive procedures, causing significant physical and mental harm, all in the pursuit of achieving an impossible standard of beauty.
In conclusion, the Barbie doll, an emblem of childhood innocence and imagination, is a product of a series of problematic influences - from its roots as a sexualized adult toy to a symbol of fascist propaganda. The unrealistic body image it promotes stems from deeply entrenched systemic biases, such as racism, colonialism, and fascism. The ramifications of these harmful beauty norms persist today, reinforcing unhealthy body expectations and contributing to systemic discrimination. As society moves forward, it is essential to challenge and redefine these standards, promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty.