An image of a "plus-size" Barbie-doll has incited a particular question: should children's play toys provide a more realistic view of a woman's body?
According to the Huffington Post, the photo of the "plus-size" doll stemmed from a 2011 contest on Worth1000.com. However, the image didn't go viral until Plus-Size-Modeling.com posted the image on their official Facebook, which ignited the debate.
Artist Nickolay Lamm created an "average" Barbie-like doll, HuffPost reports
"If we criticize skinny models, we should at least be open to the possibility that Barbie may negatively influence young girls as well," Nickolay Lamm, an artist who has made a model of an "average" woman doll, said in email to HuffPost.
Some responses were in favor of the "plus-size" doll:
"Not every big girl is unfit or unhealthy! I'm sick of people saying someone is unhealthy because of their size!!! An average size Barbie would be awesome and would probably boost confidence to millions of little girls everywhere," one commentator wrote on the Facebook post.
"Sure, but Barbie doesn't need a double chin. You can be 'plus size' w/o the double chin. They could make a 'thick' Barbie," another added.
Others disagreed with the "plus-size" doll:
"No Jesus Christ no," one commentator said in the post. "No one is naturally fat for gods sake, that's sending the message to girls that it's ok to look like this and be unhealthy. How about we stop obsessing about being overweight and teach our children to eat healthy and get out and play."
"Absolutely!!! Then make Cancer Barbie, Transsexual Barbie, Muslim Barbie, Leper Barbie, and after all of that. Make Morbidly Obese Barbie. If little girls are dumb enough to be influenced by a doll. Then people should have some fun, and put Barbie in the worst situations. How about Hooker Barbie and Pimp Ken? Watch Ken bust Barbie's lip with Pimp slap," another person commented.
Check out the Facebook post here.
What do you think about the doll? Let us know in the comments section below.
