Detailed Outline

Research Paper- Outline

 

I.               Introduction

a.     Hook: When you think of a successful woman in America today, what comes to mind? Blonde hair, blue eyes, tall, complete with the heels? If that’s what comes to mind, you’re one of many influenced by American culture’s obsession with Mattel’s most lucrative product, Barbie. 

b.      Barbie is a popular icon in our culture and the trademark name of Barbie will draw some attention.

c.      Thesis: Barbie has become a household name among young girls, but the original purpose of creating such a doll has become shrouded in the problems with self-image that Barbie has produced.

d.     Implications: What affect has the introduction of the Barbie doll had on our society? Does her perfect figure and seemingly perfect life send the wrong message to the young girls that love her? Should girls be made to feel like they have to measure up to these standards?

II.             Historical context

a.     Expectation of women at the time of Barbie’s birth into the market

                                               i.     Body

                                              ii.     Man’s role in women’s life

                                            iii.     Presentation of self

1.     Clothing

2.     Interests

3.     Attitude

b.     Barbie’s embodiment of those ideals

c.      Source: Breines, Wini. Young, White, and Miserable: Growing Up Female in the Fifties. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2001.

III.           Purpose

a.     Where was the idea from

b.     Why did Mattel feel it was a good idea

c.      Why make her look so mature and seductive?

d.     What kind of influence does the company feel she has

                                               i.     Positive or negative

e.     Source: "The Creation of Barbie." 27 Feb 2009 .

IV.            Physique

a.     Unrealistic body

                                               i.     Age girls start disliking their own body

b.     Analyzing what a real life Barbie would look like.

                                               i.     Could she realistically exist in our world?

c.      Source: Amy Lind, 'and' Stephanie Brzuzy. "Battleground." 27 Feb 2009

V.              Physical appearance

a.     How does Barbie’s blonde hair and blue eyes portray American ideals?

                                               i.     Percentage of girls with same color eyes and hair

b.     Message that her looks send to every girl that does not look like her

                                               i.     Brown hair and eyes

                                              ii.     Different ethnicities

c.      Do young girls that do not look like Barbie begin to subconsciously begin to believe that girls who do are better than them?

d.     Are the girls that look like Barbie put on a pedestal and made to feel that they are somehow superior

e.     Source: Gilman, Susan Jane. Adios, Barbie. Seattle, 1998.

f.      Source: Claudia Mitchell, Jacqueline Reid-Walsh. Seven Going on Seventeen: Tween Studies in the Culture of Girlhood. New York: Peter Lang.

VI.            Careers

a.     Does it all

                                               i.     Girlfriend

                                              ii.     CEO

                                            iii.     Princess

b.     Teaches girls to not be satisfied with reality

c.      No girl could ever be live up to the standards that Barbie sets

d.     Source: "CEO Barbie Criticized For Promoting Unrealistic Career Images." The Onion. 27 Feb 2009 .

VII.          The Perfect Man

a.     Barbie always has a boyfriend

                                               i.     The implications of teaching a young girl that they should always have a boyfriend

                                              ii.     Does this make girls feel like they can only be happy if they have a man.

                                            iii.     Everything revolves around Barbie

1.     None of her friends can date any of the boy dolls; Barbie can date whomever she wants.

2.     This is not the way the world works and it confuses what young girls believe that real life is like.

                                            iv.     Source: Benigno, Ashley. "A Brief History of Blaine." 27 Feb 2009 .

VIII.        Materialism

a.     Barbie has the best of everything

                                               i.     Clothes

                                              ii.     Cars

                                            iii.     Houses

b.     Girls can never have enough Barbie stuff, no matter what there is always more

c.      Midst of economic crisis, Mattel throws an over the top fashion show inspired by Barbie

                                               i.     Barbie is untouched by economy

                                              ii.     Does not have to deal with anything her fans deal with

d.     Source: Taylor, S. Tracy. "Media, Materialism and Morals." Suite101.com. 27 Feb 2009 .

e.     Sources:  Ramirez, Elva. "Barbie Runway Show: Unapologetic Materialism." The Wall Street Journal. 27 Feb 2009 .

IX.            Conclusion

a.     Mattel’s original purpose for creating the Barbie doll was not to confuse little girls’ belief of what life should be like. The company hoped to create a doll that would inspire imagination. Instead, they made a doll that brought about a new pressure for perfection for women. Barbie embodies perfection, which is why women both love and hate her.