“Barbie does not hold all the power to change culture,” Macomber said. "Its really going to depend on how that doll is experienced, and what adults are doing to drive home that message," she said.īarbie's icon status gives the doll cultural sway, and the new dolls have the potential to normalize the idea of women in science and engineering, said Kris Macomber, a sociology professor at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.īarbie sales have been increasing as the becomes available in different body shapes and careers, but there's only so much a toy can do to change broader attitudes about what professions chosen by girls as they grow up, she said. But it might help to use it as a starting point for conversations about women in science and math.
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Putting the same doll in a professional outfit likely won't do much to change perceptions about what women can do, she said. The study didn't examine the girls' reasoning, but researchers speculated that Barbie might be an inherently sexualized doll, said associate professor Aurora Sherman, who worked on the paper. A 2014 study by Oregon State University found that girls who played with the dolls told researchers they could do fewer jobs than boys - even if they played with a doctor Barbie. It's not known, though, how career Barbies might affect kids' aspirations. “Barbie allows girls to try on new roles through storytelling by showing them they can be anything and, through our partnership with National Geographic, girls can now imagine themselves as an astrophysicist, polar marine biologist and more," said Lisa McKnight, general manger of Barbie Dolls for Mattel. Along with her friend Monkey Boots, Dora goes on adventures. With Leisha Medina, Marc Weiner, Kathleen Herles, Harrison Chad. Mattel said in a statement that the purpose of Barbie dolls for the last 60 years has been to “inspire the limitless potential in every girl,” pointing out that Barbie was portrayed in other science and math-based careers long before the new line, including as an astronaut in 1965. Dora the Explorer: Created by Eric Weiner, Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, Eric Weiner.
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As a thank-you, Mattel sent Nadkarni a one-of-a-kind doll with tree-climbing gear and full dark hair woven with strands of white that made the doll resemble the scientist.įor Nadkarni, the company's investment in the dolls reflects a broader cultural shift toward recognizing women in science, math and technology that could spark an appreciation for science even among kids who don't end up entering the field. Nadkarni joined a team of female scientists advising Mattel as it made the line of dolls that includes a marine biologist, astrophysicist, photojournalist, conservationist and entomologist. Nadkarni has a longstanding relationship with National Geographic, so when the non-profit reached out for help, she quickly agreed. Last year, Mattel began working with National Geographic to create a new line of scientist Barbies.