Did you see the Barbie movie? I did, mainly because I had the doll growing up. I loved Barbie. And here’s why this movie and its message for us all is so popular now.
Work Hard – Nothing is Perfect
Barbie has always lived in a perfect world. Pink, plastic, and perfect, the marketing machine has families buy her “accessories” for their children constantly. From the dream house, to the car, to her pet dog, Barbie had it all and little girls were supposed to aspire to that life. But, like me many families we couldn’t really afford Barbies or her perfect world.
I had one new Malibu Barbie, the one with the deep tan, gifted to me for my birthday. I never had a Ken doll, or her sidekick Skippy, so was my imagination stilted? Nope, never! I was able to earn my college degree (with no loans) and a masters degree after having children to meet my professional goals. I worked hard and reached high.
Improvise and Use your Creativity
Like any good kid with little resources, I improvised. I made Barbie’s furniture from old margarine tub lids and thread spools. She didn’t have a “dream house.” My tanned beauty had a shoe box, covered with a kitchen towel “patio” with a green washcloth lawn.
My doll,and the all the Saturday morning commercials, gave me permission to use my imagination! I improvised to envision my own “apartment” when I grew up. (I had a few when I was older as well…living the dream in my own way!)
And the career choices I had, from Advertising Executive to Astronaut, I could live through Barbie. I didn’t need a man to make my dreams come true. I had my drive and work ethic to make things happen for myself.
As a young girl, Barbie really inspired me to succeed to do whatever I dreamed. And dreamed I did…I moved away from home out of state and started a career that helped me grow other skills that use today to be happy and succeed.
Movie’s Message is Clear
I see that same message in the movie; Be yourself…whoever you are! No one is perfect or fits a certain mold. Sometimes we hold ourselves up to unrealistic standards to those around us. Whether it’s in work, school, or even motherhood women have to navigate so many other societal obstacles, that men do not.
When we can truly all be accepted as we are, without limitations or prejudices, then we can all rest easy. The world has a long way to go to get there.
Even Mattel admittedly has only had one female CEO in the company’s 78-year history. Go figure… but we keep striving, learning, and being better for those that come after us and help them succeed!
