BIG SPRING, TX — Barbie is best known for being a fashion doll, so it’s no surprise that she’d be used today to help high school students learn how to make clothes and the best way to display them. Big Spring High School Fashion Design teacher Stephanie Poffenberger says that in addition to using the dolls as models for student creations, they are also being used to teach a valuable lesson on self-love.
Barbie has been followed by controversy since her debut in the 1950s when many complained that the “blonde, plastic doll conveyed an unrealistic body image to girls.” Over the years, Barbie has evolved from a stay-at-home housewife to having a variety of professions such as doctor and astronaut. In recent years, Barbie has also evolved to have a variety of body inclusive dolls such as a full-figured Barbie, Barbie with Vitiligo, and Barbie with a Wheelchair.
At the end of this particular unit, students are asked to draw their idea of the most perfect Barbie – If you were to market your own Barbie, what would it look like?
“These are all high school kids, you know, we’re talking 14 to 18. Some of their dolls had stretch marks, some had skin blemishes. They were all sizes, skin colors, hair types, and when they present that it sends a pretty powerful message to their peers that what they think perfect really looks like,” said Poffenberger.
She went on to say that her main goal is that her students will understand that there’s no perfect body type, no perfect skin type, and all bodies are beautiful. Poffenberger told KBest News that her main goal is self-acceptance and the acceptance of others.
(Photo: BSHS student fashion design project)
Comments