Say the word "Barbie" and you'll have responses ranging from total bliss to complete disgust. I'd like to share some of my own thoughts on Barbie, and get yours as well. Love her or hate her, she's here to stay.

Whenever I think of Barbie dolls, I always have a smile on my face, thinking back to my childhood and the wonderful hours I spent in Barbie play. This was a doll you could enjoy dressing up while by yourself, or inviting a friend or two along for a group Barbie play session. In fact, I still have my first Barbie and some special outfits in my Barbie patent leather case on a shelf in my daughter's closet (who also had her own Barbies as a little girl).

I'd like to speak out in support of Barbie and why I think she was an inspiration to millions of girls. I do not think Barbie is the reason many young women have body image issues. I don't think a Barbie doll creates a sense of insecurity in those who enjoy imaginary play with her, or create a false sense of what beauty should be.

To me, she was a just a really fun doll. Barbie could do anything! And with such great clothes and accessories! She could be a flight attendant, or a surgeon... a lawyer or a nurse. Barbie surely was her own person. Her boyfriend, Ken, was not really her focus at all. In fact, for my friends and me, we really didn't know what to do with Ken. Other then coming to come hang out with Barbie, we had them chat briefly, then we tossed him in the corner, and went back to creating fabulous scenarios for Barbie as a solo act.

Of course we knew that Barbie was anatomically impossible, in so many ways (including those permanently high-heeled feet!) and that we didn't look anything like her. And we didn't care. We didn't want to be Barbie- we just liked to dress her up and take her out.

I recall a professional friend of mine who sneered at the thought that my daughter had received a "Doctor Barbie" as a birthday gift. And the gift was from a lawyer (another Barbie lover). Double sneer. By the way, despite this pressure from my friend, I didn't think I was a bad mother for allowing my daughter to enjoy playing with her Barbie doll!


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