New Study: Is Barbie's Dream House Keeping Girls from Their Dream Job?

Allure Daily Beauty Reporter

by Lexi Novak


John Aquino
John Aquino


We know we've been talking about a certain leggy, blonde figurine a lot lately--and her "girl next door" counterpart--but we can't ignore the latest breaking Barbie news: A new study has found a relationship between girls playing with the doll and perceiving fewer career opportunities for themselves.


Researchers asked a group of girls ages 4 to 7 to play with either a fashionable Barbie, one dressed as a doctor, or a Mrs. Potato Head. Then they showed the girls pictures of 11 different work environments. For each image, the girls had to state whether they thought that as an adult they could do the depicted job and if they thought a boy could. Participants in both Barbie groups felt they could hold fewer careers than males. Those playing with a Mrs. Potato Head reported a near equal job opportunity.

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I know what you may be thinking: "But Dr. Barbie has a lab coat and stethoscope and everything!" And as a Barbie addict who grew up aspiring to be a surgeon, I share your confusion. But the study's authors suggest that it's the doll's sexualized body--not her accessories--that is affecting young girls and giving them restrictive cues. Does this mean all females should wear burlap sacks if they want to be doctors or engineers? I certainly hope not. But if your little one favors tiny-waisted, full-busted toys, it might not hurt to throw a shapeless, plastic spud into the collection.

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