Project 3 Argument Map by Angel Thumma

femininity achieved through capitalism/consumerism

aat167 — 2024-04-08 15:28:46 UTC

fashion-beauty-diet industrial complex on women:

Micromanaging of the female body in popular media has led to the rise of consumerist culture

-> The beauty industry and other predatory fields, capitalize on and exponentialize women and girls’ insecurities, which are already based in heteropatriarchy, women often feed into consumerism to find a product that will heal their very internal scars

Barbie as a capitalist symbol

aat167 — 2024-04-08 15:35:46 UTC

she is representative of the "late capitalist construction of feminity".

image rooted in:

consumerist values
traditional gender roles
Sasha in Barbie movie suggests "(Barbie) represents everything wrong with culture, sexualized capitalism, unrealistic physical ideals..."

essentially, because Barbie is an unattainable standard, the beauty industry and capitalism as a whole, target female populations and profit from their insecurities. they often sell ideas rather than products which can provide a consumer with relief.

Barbie is a representation of women and girls throughout history->into the future

aat167 — 2024-04-14 20:19:14 UTC

Barbie's origins as the first adult-woman doll which created a relationship with young girls where they could use her to think of their futures.

Barbie's several transformations through different feminist movements prove Barbie's representation changes as women's overall representation changes in society

She is a doll( that in and of itself is the symbol). Dolls are used and played with as women have been pawns in a mans world for most of human history

Barbie is the perfect woman

aat167 — 2024-04-14 20:26:54 UTC

barbie as feminine perfection is what she has represented for her entire brand

important to note that her perfection is one of the few consistent character traits and representations she has identified with throughout her brand transformations

Feminine Perfection(Nuanced)

aat167 — 2024-04-14 20:27:33 UTC

Barbie is not a body. She is not a look. Barbie is an idea. almost to say that the idea of what makes a woman, as told by women, IS feminine perfection. The story of womanhood which brings women and girls together. The internal security found in healthy female idols who recognize the paradoxical tribulations of womanhood and adapt to their personal needs. THIS is feminine perfection
1. This incentive for creativity and versatility of women is celebrated and purposeful by Ruth Handler. How? this is shown by the simple fact that the original, stereotypical, Barbie doll was modeled after and for her daughter, Barbara Handler.
2. Ruth is saying 'use Barbie as a tool of self discovery to find your way to your personalized definition of feminine perfection'
Barbie's latest message: “I want to be a part of those who create meaning, not the one created. I want to imagine, not be the idea”

Ruth original message told through Barbie is repeated once again in her latest message in Gerwig's Barbie film. The one who creates meaning takes ownership of their life and identity. Barbie wants to imagine what she can become not be the idea because there will never be a one-size-fits-all for feminine perfection. the point is to find your own meaning through self-dicovery.

Feminine Perfection(Patriarchal Pressure)

aat167 — 2024-04-14 20:28:35 UTC

carnal desire to be "perfect"

this is examplified by Gloria’s(America Ferrera) monologue on the tribulations of trying to be perfect.

she talks about the contradictory roles of women
the internal AND external pressures that women specifically undergo in this quest for perfection
she talks about how invalidating women and girls identities are in this mindset as we are not given room to explore ourselves, instead pressurized to fit the mold of perfect women(which, again, is contradictory)

benevolent sexism: idea that women arent fully competent on their own or should be cherished and portected

seems well-intentioned on first look but can create internal pressures in women to be perfect so they aren’t victim to benevolent sexism which invalidates their talent and skill

pressure on womens appearance and behavior:

barbie’s look has always been controversial because she, physically, is what patriarchy deems a perfect female body but her bone structure is completely unrealistic
symbolism behind her permanent smile and makeup

is Barbie separate from Mattel?

aat167 — 2024-04-14 21:52:10 UTC

Barbie is an incredibly multi-faceted product. On one hand, she is the representation of Ruth Handler's message to girls and women. on another, she is the representation of Mattel's marketing design. Oftentimes, both values contradict each other, especially concerning Barbie's relationship with capitalism and consumerism

as barbie started aligning herself with postfeminist ideals, Mattel capitalized on this era's acceptance of personal transformation and individual self-expression

Cementing her as an icon of fashion and beauty, the Barbie brand shows layers of capitalist consumerism

but how does one identify how much of barbie is the raw, unfiltered exploration of self through makeup and fashion

and

how much of barbie's dedication to beauty is a product of consumerism?