GI Joe Vs Barbie

http://thebodyproject.bradley.edu/joe_barbie/index.shtml

The article called "GI Joe Vs. Barbie" takes on these two seemingly harmless childrens toys and digs into how these dolls are effecting body image in todays society. For example, the way that barbie's dimensions are physically impossible for any human being to obtain. On a full scale human, her measurements would be 32-17-28. These figures are the figures of someone with severe anorexia and breast augmentation. From a young age girls have the image of this body implanted in their brains and this does indeed effect their own personal body image. The GI Joe doll has the same effect on boys. GI Joe has become so muscular throughout the decades his biceps are larger than his own head, and once again are physically impossible to obtain for any human being. Something else to take into account is the thought process of the transsexual individual when faced with these two examples of the "perfect body". When a child already feels as though they are not in the body they belong in, these dolls and the stereotypes they portray just add to the confusion and body hatred that trans people may already be experiencing. If girls are taught that high heels, short dresses, and a tiny waist is what is expected of them and their body does not match up to these standards mentally or physically, then poor body image will undoubtly ensue. One article states that children as young as 5 have begun having body image issues and can develop eating disorders. This absolutely staggering fact is an issue that needs to be addressed, and these dolls need to show a more positive and realistic version of the human form.