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Barbie’s expansive career repertoire has been praised for encouraging aspirational goals in children, but experts suggest room for advancement in medical and scientific professions for the iconic doll, as highlighted in a study published in The BMJ’s Christmas issue.
Researcher Katherine Klamer delved into the portrayal of medical and scientific careers by Barbie dolls compared to other career dolls, uncovering disparities and opportunities for improvement. The study analyzed 92 Barbie career dolls and 65 non-Barbie brand career dolls, scrutinizing their depictions and safety standards.
The findings revealed significant patterns. While Barbie dolls symbolized various professions, including doctors and scientists, they primarily depicted adult, female, and white characters, lacking diversity in age, ethnicity, and disability representation. Moreover, the dolls fell short in accurately reflecting medical specialties and adhering to safety standards, with deficiencies in appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Klamer emphasizes the pivotal role of themed dolls in inspiring future professionals, urging toy companies to craft more authentic and diversified medical and scientific dolls. The study underscores the importance of Barbie evolving to shatter gender norms and advocate for inclusivity.
In a linked editorial, Sareh Parangi and colleagues support this sentiment, highlighting the influence of toys on shaping career perceptions. They advocate for Barbie to embody a diverse range of medical professions, emphasizing safety over fashion. The editorialists, themselves surgeons, express enthusiasm for the concept of a surgeon Barbie, offering to provide insights to ensure authenticity and fun.
The call to expand Barbie’s representation aligns with the aim of inspiring young girls toward diverse careers, countering biased career advice prevalent even in prestigious institutions. The editorial champions the notion that Barbie, as a pioneering figure, can redefine societal perceptions of surgeons and scientists.
The push for an inclusive and accurate representation of medical and scientific professions through Barbie seeks to empower and educate, setting an example for future generations and dismantling stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated fields.
