The Dirty Mommy Club

Have you met badass Barbie?   She's a tattooed, pink haired, leopard printed, mini skirt wearing, dog toting Barbie.  Actually her name is tokidoki.  But whatever.

While Mattel created tokidoki as a limited edition for adult collectors, Moms across the globe are weighing in.  And it isn't at their local Weight Watchers meeting.

Possibly the most criticized Barbie ever, she is being toted as 'over sexualized' and 'inappropriate'.  Seriously?  Because her ridiculous body proportions weren't 'over sexualized' or 'inappropriate'?

I am not a fan of Barbie as a 'role model for strong, empowered girls' (yup, someone actually said that).  Nor do I think this latest Barbie takes away from that.  In fact, I believe tokidoki Barbie actually is a more empowered role model than her predecessors.  

My kids know what tattoos are because I have several.  It would be hypocritical of me to say that I hope my kids don't get tattoos.  And it would be incorrect for me to say that I hope they do.  My hope is they express themselves at an appropriate age in whichever way suits them.

But saying that a tattooed Barbie will encourage more kids to get tattoos is like saying teaching kids about sex will encourage more sex.  It's ridiculous.  And guess what?  If you don't want your daughter to have a tattooed Barbie as her role model, don't buy her one.  The images of this Barbie that may be seen by our daughters are, in my opinion, far less esteem effecting than what they see in everyday life, no matter how diligent we are in protecting them.

I have two daughters and while my oldest does have a few Barbies (note: they were given as gifts.  And if invited to your child's birthday party, I promise to NEVER give Barbie as a gift), she doesn't play with them often.  And I'm totally okay with that.  In fact, I hope they become garage sale fodder sooner than later.  

However, rather than rail against Mattel for their latest creation, why not take this as a teaching opportunity.  Teach your kids what I believe Mattel was attempting to do with tokidoki - acceptance.

Cheers Dirties.