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Cliched - or educational? Relaunched Barbie Dolls of the World collection under fire for promoting 'dated cultural stereotypes'


Barbie's Dolls of the World collection was created to celebrate different cultures, but now it has been criticized for adhering to outdated - and, some say, offensive - stereotypes.
Initially introduced in 1980, the line was relaunched in 2012 as Mattel's attempt to appeal to a new generation of diverse Barbie fans. But by outfitting their Mexico Barbie in a bright pink 'traditional' dress and tucking a Chihuahua under her arm, the toy company has sparked a debate over whether the dolls are helpful or harmful to cultural awareness in children.

Under fire: The Barbie Dolls of the World collection - and, in particular, the Chihuahua-toting Mexico Barbie (left) - has been criticized for promoting cultural stereotypes. China Barbie (right) comes with a baby panda

Sara Rosales, a spokesman for Mattel, told Fox News Latino that the toys - which represent countries including Mexico, China, India and Holland - are educational tools for young children.
'Girls enjoy exploring the world and learning about different cultures through play,' she explained, adding: 'The Barbie brand understands the significance of introducing new cultures to girls in a relatable way.'

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Nonetheless, the multicultural dolls have incited criticism for their apparently simplistic portrayals of different heritages. Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, said of the toys: 'These images seem very dated and seem to have been created for a different time.''The Barbie brand understands the significance of introducing new cultures in a relatable way'
Indeed, most of the dolls are marketed on the Mattel website as sporting 'traditional' costumes and 'classic' looks. Mr Sanchez added that Mattel could improve the collection by adding more contemporary representations of the countries. All of the Dolls of the World are dressed in their 'native fashions', according to Ms Rosales, and they each carry a passport and a pet that is meant to represent their heritage.

Cultural heritage: Thai Barbie Argentina Barbie and India Barbie all sport apparently traditional native outfits. India Barbie carries a monkey on her arm

Cute or cliched? Hawaiian Barbie is decked out in luau attire and accompanied by a tortoise while Ireland Barbie has red hair and wears an old-fashioned green dress

Mexico Barbie, for instance, comes decked out in a long pink dress with ruffles, her wavy black locks styled with a festive purple ribbon.

She completes her 'traditional look' with a furry accessory - a Chihuaha dog under her arm.

And India Barbie, who wears a gold sari, comes with a tiny monkey. Critics of the dolls have said that they represent cliched perceptions of different cultures.� Website The Corvallis Advocate said of the collection: 'Apparently no one from Mattel has ever set foot outside the U.S. - possibly not outside of Disneyland's rather aged It's a Small World exhibit.'
And a blogger for The Stir expressed her disapproval of Mexico Barbie: 'If you really have to do the old-fashioned, traditional dress, why not at least make it accurate?' she wrote.

Furry friends: The dolls each carry a pet that is meant to represent their respective countries. Australia Barbie for instance cradles a koala bear in her arm, and Holland Barbie is accompanied by a bunny.

The author noted that an authentic doll should wear braids woven through with ribbons, as well as a white blouse and a woven shawl. In any case, Mattel defends the Barbies as representations of genuine and unique qualities of countries around the globe. 'The Dolls of the World collection features the native fashions, while celebrating the cultures and diversity represented within each country in a way that will appeal to Barbie fans of all ages,' asserted Ms Rosales.

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