Perspective: Barbie: Food for the Soul or Fanciful Nostalgia?

This perspectives piece analyzes the Barbie movie and its impact on its viewership. In contrast to prior research demonstrating that images of Barbie objectified girls, lowered self esteem, and promoted body dysmorphia, with social media focus on "Fistpiration' as well as "Thinspiration" amplifying the negative effect, the Barbie movie may have more positive impact than one might predict. As gleaned from an informal survey of patients, parents and peers, the messages of the Barbie movie include a mix of body positivity, recognition of the impact of depression and other aspects of mental health, critique of the perceived societal patriarchy, and a message of empowerment for girls, women, and people otherwise unrecognized. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Barbie has been criticized in social media and in formal research for her impossible figure, promoting body dysphoria despite her myriad career choices. Yet the Barbie movie may move beyond the expected stereotypical response to allow for dark emotions to be expressed and hope to be within reach, and for the empowerment of girls, women and others previously unrecognized.