Barbie and Ken featured in Barbie, 2023.
Barbie Controversy: A Closer Look
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The Barbie movie has taken the world by storm. Succeeding months of hype and publicity, it is safe to consider it as the movie of the year. However, the rapid fame has also swirled many critics. Barbie dolls have been a symbol of beauty, fashion and femininity for the longest time. These dolls were created to serve as idols to young girls and a friend of a lifetime. Yet, this crumbling ideal compared to the new movie has begun to raise a few eyebrows.
Underneath the hot-pink and candied exterior, Barbie delves into societal issues like sexism and women empowerment—or the lack thereof. Defenders of Barbie applaud the movie for shining a light on the problems and constraints enforced upon women. They contend that it is a “love letter dedicated to women” and a “much needed overlook on societal patriarchy.” The Barbies are depicted as hardworking and dedicated women with meaningful jobs. Some are astronauts, others are politicians, and even presidents.
The opposition argues that Barbie is too “anti-men.” In r/MensRights, a subreddit with over 350,000 members, users complained that the movie “seriously kept putting men down, making them look like second-class citizens.” This perspective roots from how men are portrayed in Barbie. The men, or Kens, have no real job. Everyday, they wake up and spend hours lounging at the Beach. The Barbies tend to not associate with men; and Ken is Barbie’s sidekick rather than an equal. Many find this upsetting.
Greta Gerwig worked hard to build the world of Barbie. In her eyes, Barbie is a hardworking woman with talent and feelings. Kens respect the Barbies and Barbies respect the Kens. Whether or not Barbie is acceptable feminist representation is up to interpretation. In the end, it only takes an open mind and empathy to appreciate Barbie.
