thirty Barbie models

COURSE 608

PLEAS WRITE ONE PAGE DISCUSSIN

HERE IS THE DISCUSSION QUISTION

Comment on the following statement found on page 286: “Did you ever think of what it feels like choosing a Barbie doll at Toys ‘R Us? You know, white girls can choose from thirty Barbie models and black girls have only one.”

FIRST STUDENT

  It is interesting to find that you can choose thirty models of white barbie dolls as against one black model from Toys R Us. This is not a mere concidence, rather it is a deliberate marketing strategy in response to demand. As the conflict theorists would explain, it is the taste of the dominant group which always prevails. In this case it is the taste of the dominant white group which has to be accepted by all. A doll for a child is always depicted as white and clean with beautiful blonde hair. For years this depiction has sold millions of dolls, so in order to increase sales the basic depiction as white will have to be maintained while slight variations are added to be named as  different models. In fact what we accept as the norm is nothing but the choice or the preference of the dominant group. At some point the subordinate group may also rise up to resist this unacceptable dominance, and after the resolution of the conflict there is a decison. It is the adoption of subordinate group’s interest. In the case of Toys R Us,  it was forced to adopt one black model to appease some sections of the public even though this is not realistic. It is unrealistic because several children, both white and black prefer white dolls.

SECOND

Chapter 7 deMarrals and LeCompte Assimilation is another term describing the process of adaption in our culture today.  It is associated closely with accommodation, and sometimes confusing to educators for the purpose of schooling our children. They differ, because accommodation refers to having to change an existing representation or schema while assimilation merely refers to adding new information.  The concepts of assimilation and accommodation do not lack cultural discrepancy. The question remains whether or not they are unfair processes when considered cross-culturally. This is especially true in a “melting pot” culture, such as our own America. Is it fair to expect complete assimilation of a group of people in a country widespread with immigration from all parts of the world?  It seems rather counterproductive and maybe a bit hypocritical for a country so proud of the opportunity it offers the world to operate in this manner.  Our text gives an example of shopping for a Barbie doll at Toys R Us.  With this in mind, I think of a conference where the presenter had everyone write their name on a business card.  The strategy was to write it while it is placed on your forehead with your left hand.  The demonstration represented how a special education student may be trying to adapt in your classroom.  Talk about empathy!  It is a permanent representation I am reminded with daily.  Minority, ethnicity, stereotyping, and discrimination all categories discussed in chapter 7, and where are we now?  Are educators that accommodate or assimilate? Assimilation and accommodation are universal to all humans. This further reinforces the universality of Piaget‟s stage theory, as it depends entirely on the processes to build on human intelligence and change behaviors. While studies still need to determine the full extent of assimilation and accommodation, determining their universality definitely stands as a great foundation to build upon. Assimilation is another term describing the process of adaption in our culture today.  It is associated closely with accommodation, and sometimes confusing to educators for the purpose of schooling our children. They differ, because accommodation refers to having to change an existing representation or schema while assimilation merely refers to adding new information.  The concepts of assimilation and accommodation do not lack cultural discrepancy. The question remains whether or not they are unfair processes when considered cross-culturally. This is especially true in a “melting pot” culture, such as our own America. Is it fair to expect complete assimilation of a group of people in a country widespread with immigration from all parts of the world?  It seems rather counterproductive and maybe a bit hypocritical for a country so proud of the opportunity it offers the world to operate in this manner.  Our text gives an example of shopping for a Barbie doll at Toys R Us.  With this in mind, I think of a conference where the presenter had everyone write their name on a business card.  The strategy was to write it while it is placed on your forehead with your left hand.  The demonstration represented how a special education student may be trying to adapt in your classroom.  Talk about empathy!  It is a permanent representation I am reminded with daily.  Minority, ethnicity, stereotyping, and discrimination all categories discussed in chapter 7, and where are we now?  Are educators that accommodate or assimilate? Assimilation and accommodation are universal to all humans. This further reinforces the universality of Piaget‟s stage theory, as it depends entirely on the processes to build on human intelligence and change behaviors. While studies still need to determine the full extent of assimilation and accommodation, determining their universality definitely stands as a great foundation to build upon.

THIRD

This particulr chapter prompts consideration regarding assimilation and adaption. Stereotyping people from all cultures and backgrounds is something that our society continues to struggle with. The question surrounds whether or not this is ‘fair’ or even ‘acceptable’. The text provides an example of Barbie Dolls. The typical ‘American’ beauty, is characterized through the marketing of Barbie Dolls. When a little girl or boy goes to purchase a Barbie Doll, their selections are largely white, blond and thin. What about the little girls and boys from other cultures, background and experiences ?? How many dolls capture the attention of a student with a disability ?? Did we know that when they created a Barbie in a wheelchair,…that the chair wouldn’t fit through the front door of the Barbie Dream House ?? What is that telling our students with disablities??

However, I retreat. Despite the alignment of the Barbie Doll world with the rest of society — we must step back and recognize that this is a business that is designed to earn revenue. Supply meets demand. So, can we really blame the company ?? Or,….are we better served to place blame on consumers/culture/ and society ??

FORTH

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     First off, I love this quote.  This is a quote that I have been able to identify with my entire life.  As a young girl, I had TONS and TONS of Barbies that my parents bought for me.  I wanted any and every Barbie that my parents would buy me but my mother had very specific rules about which Barbies I could have and which Barbies I couldn’t have.  The majority of my Barbies were Barbies that had brown or black hair.  I only remember having a few “traditional” Barbies with the blond hair.  As a Hispanic woman, my mother thought that it was very important for me to be able to identify with the toys that I played with on a daily basis.  I remember as a young girl asking her why I couldn’t just have the “blond haired” Barbie and I remember her making it very clear that the Barbies with brown and black hair were just as important and special.  Finding different Barbies with brown and black hair was no easy task, but it was important to my mother so she looked high and low for Barbies that met her approval.  I remember receiving my first black Barbie and I was elated! I was 7 years old and it was very hard to find a black Barbie at that time.  I received it as a gift and then I began to slowly receive more black Barbies and even the cultural Barbies that had matching outfits to coincide with a specific country they represented. 

     As a young child, I never understood what lesson my mother was trying to teach me by only buying me Barbies with brown and black hair.  As I grew older, I was able to see that she wanted me to feel like my looks were just as important as someone else who had blond hair.  I feel like this could have been a passive-aggressive way to teach me that being Hispanic and looking Hispanic was not something that should be looked down upon, but something to be celebrated.  It makes me sad to think that 20 years later it is probably just as hard for little girls to find Barbies that they can relate to.  It may seem silly, but the confidence that I gained BECAUSE I had brown and black haired Barbies is something that I will never forget!

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FIFTH

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 Toys R US is a company that exists only for its profit. We should not blame the company for selling thirty type of white Barbie and only one type of black Barbie because the company is creating products according to the demand and preference of its customers. If there was a demand for the black Barbie, the company would have created many type to meet that demand and so increase its revenue. Because White race is the dominance race here in the United States, there are emphasis from them that they are inferior to other races. The model Barbie for all races is skinny white girl with blond hair. I really do not know why this Barbie is preferred more than other but I believe that could be because the Whites were the first who made it to their children since they were modenized before other races. Other races might saw that and it was the only Barbie type and so everyone perceived it as the best type. I think if the company make survey regarding the customer preference other type will be introduced. 

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