Many parents have expressed concern over Barbie-like dolls. Other mothers defend Barbie by pointing out that they enjoyed the dolls without any harm. “It didn’t hurt me,” is the usual reply. I wonder, Mama, if indeed it didn’t hurt you. Do you sometimes have a strange, sexually compelling thought life? I have talked to many women who confess the struggle they have with lustful daydreams, imagining themselves to be sexy, beautiful dolls (a most appropriate word in this case). Yet they confess to not functioning well with their own husbands. What is the root of their problem? What caused make-believe to be more satisfying than the real world? Could it be they were trained from a small child to play make-believe (daydream) when they were given a sexy little doll to dress and undress?
Many would argue that Barbie-type dolls are not sexy, but the real world says something else. It is very common in men’s prisons and military barracks to find Barbie dolls in various stages of undress sitting in prominent places. It is a kind of hands-on pornography which they seem to find very gratifying. Did you know that some of Barbie Dolls’ biggest fans are middle age men?
Somehow, parents are badly deceived, and their children are the victims. Think about it, mother. Would you invite a 20-year-old, over endowed model to come into your daughter’s room to be admired for her body and dress? Would you allow your daughter to help her dress? Strange to even write something like that, yet that’s what Barbie represents.
It is a healthy and natural instinct for little girls to love babies and to imagine themselves in the role of loving mother. Role-playing is real preparation for the future, but there is absolutely no similarity between playing baby dolls and playing Barbie dolls. They are two different kinds of dolls with two different purposes. What are you training your little girl to be? When and how will she finally realize the dreams stimulated by Barbie? Would Jesus give a Barbie doll to a little girl? You have been warned.
8 responses to Barbie Dolls or Baby Dolls?
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NGJ Magazine: January 1998
My daughter is 4-years-old and loves to play with Barbies (all of which have been passed down from me). However I have recently been convicted about this as I have noticed that when she plays with Barbies (as opposed to baby dolls) her play is much more provocative and adult in nature. I played with Barbies as a child and recall the same characteristics of my play with them being the same in nature as hers. Thank you for writing an honest about this unpopular view.
In my childhood I had a very traumatic experience concerning barbie dolls. My friend invited me over to play with her dolls; little did I know that she was in the grip of Satan. She informed me that her barbie dolls didn’t like the man ‘Ken’ doll her mother had got for her, and that they preferred each other’s company. She then proceeded to show me how they showed their ‘love’ for one another in terrible and disgusting ways. I told her that they couldn’t make a baby with another lady barbie and she said ‘that’s ok, some ladies don’t want to have babies.’ It still haunts me to this day.
So, I think that barbies are a tool of satan.
After reading this, I spoke with my nine year pld about how much she loves her Barbies, but asked if they prepair her to be a mommy, and her answer was “no”. We spoke about it for only five minutes and she was made an agreement with me that she would pack all her Barbies up, and on my part I would make her a pretty Amish Baby like the little Amish girls have- we live in the city of DC, so this was very moving. I got out my wedding china and told her she could take it to her room and have a tea party with her Life of Faith doll. She huged me and said ” Thank you mommy for being the best mommy in the world” So I will make her the handmade Amish looking baby and my heart is just so overjoyed. I can see that homeschooling my children was only the start of a whole new life, a whole new family. Thank you Michael and Debi
My 5 year-old daughter has a small collection of Barbies — some of which were MY old Barbies! We discarded immodest outfits and painted on underclothes with nail polish, but still, I am convicted as a mother. I am filled with joy when I see her with a baby doll in her arms, role-playing as a mom or even a Bible story character. I cannot say the same for the times I see her playing barbies. Now…. to remove them from her toy collection —- got any good ideas on how to help her make the break?
The Pearls have some very good ideas on how to incorporate the Bibles success into raising a happy mature child who is a joy to be around ! PS. We love our 4 kids and they are a joy to be around ! Thank you Mike and Debbie Pearl
I had barbie dolls as a child, and while I honestly agree with a lot of what was stated about Barbie Doll, a doll does not teach! Parents teach. My mother taught me that Barbie was NOT a real woman, she was make believe and that I was, and always will be more beautiful than some plastic toy. So instead of playing make believe “sexy-girl” with my Barbie, I always wanted the kids and the baby barbie dolls so I could play “house” with my Barbies, and recreate scenes that had happened in my family or in other families.
Barbie dolls are not harmful in and of themselves. Parents not monitoring their child with Barbie dolls can be very harmful.
I was allowed to play with Barbie’s as a child and my play was usually about making the doll as sexy as possible–this at the young age of 7-10!! I will never, never let my little girl play with Barbie’s.
God wants you to read this article, its very important for the well-being of your children. http://www.salon.com/life/parenting/index.html?story=/mwt/feature/2010/02/22/no_greater_joy