The Postmodernism of Barbie

Postmodernism shows how the artificial image that we see in society has become more important to us than reality. We focus so much on the artificial image that we put less importance on what is happening in reality. The popular toy Barbie is an example of how we live in a postmodern society.

Barbie went on the shelves in 1959 and has been a popular toy ever since. The image of Barbie has transformed from a toy to an ideal body type that was strived for in society. Young girls were using Barbie as an image of the ideal body type and thought that her dimensions were the ones to strive for. Society was caught up in the image of a "perfect" female body with the same dimensions that reality was not a factor.

In reality if a human had the same dimension as Barbie, she would have to walk on all fours and would not be able to support her head. Barbie has an 9 inch neck, a 16 inch waist, and 16 inch thighs, all resting on 6 inch ankles. These are the dimensions of an image that is unattainable. These dimensions are not realistic for a woman to have and live a healthy life. The U.S average dimensions in women 18-25 are a 15 inch neck, a 35 inch waist, 25 inch thighs and 9 inch ankles. These are the dimensions of reality.

The unattainable goal of Barbie's "perfect" dimensions has invade the thoughts of young girls in society. The image of the perfect body that they are learning is not attainable or healthy. This image has become prevalent in society in defining the "perfect body" for women. Striving for the same body type as Barbie would result in a very unhealthy life style. Post-modernism shows us that an artificial image has more emphasis in society than reality. Barbie has the artificial image of the "perfect body" and that is focused on as oppose to the reality that if Barbie was a real person, her body would not be able to support her.