Has Barbie Had a Positive Impact?

She had her own house.  Her own car. Even her own jet.  According to toy manufacturer Mattel, she’s had more than 250 careers.  She’s even run for president in every election since 1992. And she has a blockbuster movie out on the big screen.

Barbie was first introduced in 1959 when Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel with her husband, Elliot Handler, and Harold Matson in 1945, noticed her daughter, Barbara, playing with paper dolls and dreaming about what kind of woman she would become.

With more than 300,000 Barbie dolls sold in the first year, Mattel brought Ken, Skipper, Midge and Christi onto the scene, along with clothes, shoes and other accessories.

Some argue that with her model-like body, perfect hair, perfect relationships and exciting careers, girls and women have a false sense of beauty and success.

From the beginning, Handler said that Barbie was about allowing young girls to dream. To imagine that anything was possible.

Over the years, Barbie has adopted progressive stances. She was involved in civil rights and feminist causes. In recent years, she is more representative of a diverse and inclusive community.

In a statement released earlier this year in celebration of International Women’s Day, Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls, said “Barbie is dedicated to showcasing women who are role models from all backgrounds, professions, and nationalities so that girls around the world can see themselves in careers that might not always seem as accessible.”

Yes, Barbie has made an impact.