A Plethora of Hard-Working Barbies
The numerous occupations Barbie has had throughout the years illustrates to young girls that there are endless career possibilities
Mattel's Most Innovative Barbie: The Astronaut Barbie
Mattel has produced Barbie models that have held almost any occupational job one can think of. Such vast jobs illustrate to young women that they are capable of working in any sector they want. While Mattel did create Barbie models that had her do "typical" female jobs like domestic work, a large focus on occupational Barbies was centered on her working in the sciences and business world. It was groundbreaking for a female doll to work in this male centered job space. Even through society still has work to do in breaking gender barriers, Barbie's job choices were a major start in breaking the glass ceiling. Meaning, she helped start the gender equality story; if Barbie could hold a position as a Business Executive, so could any female. Barbie was a progressive toy that can be accredited with empowering women.
This 1965 astronaut Barbie is probably the most groundbreaking model. Being an astronaut is a job that is thought to involve high risk, stamina, and thus exudes masculinity. By creating an astronaut Barbie, Mattel is displaying that woman are just as able to explore the moon. There are women too who have the stamina necessary and are ready to experience the high risks associated with being an astronaut. This displays that women have the same capabilities as men and thus there should be no limit as to the jobs women can do.
Young girls are told that the sky is the limit in relation to what they accomplish in life. This figure illustrates to these individuals that it is not the sky that is the limit, but the moon. Meaning, girls should shoot higher than the sky when thinking about their aspirations. This Barbie is even more interesting since it was created 5 years before Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Mattel's Barbie landed on shelves before Buzz stepped foot on the moon. As a result, this model shows that it was actually a woman (Barbie) who experienced this journey first.
Surgical Barbie, Mattel 1973
It was generally accepted that women could become nurses. However, this Barbie took this medical idea further by having Barbie become a surgeon. Being a surgeon was originally thought to be only a man's jobs. As a result, Surgical Barbie was groundbreaking since it showed young girls that they could be leaders in the medical industry
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde would say, "what-like it's hard?"
CEO Barbie, Mattel 1999
The business world was another part of the job industry that was a "man's world." While corporate jobs are still mainly possessed by males today, this Barbie was innovative in pointing out the gender disparity in this industry. CEO Barbie is important for it shows that even though there are not many women CEOs, it still is possible. If Barbie can do it, so can you.
Presidential Candidate Barbie, Mattel 2004
Presidential candidates are almost always men. While Hillary Clinton ran for presidency in 2016, Barbie saw this gender gap and decided to run long before Hillary (produced in 2004). Barbie's powerful and daring red suit illustrates she is not afraid of the responsibilities associated with presidency. This Barbie further illustrates Mattel's forward thinking in attempting to bridge gender gaps in the workplace.
Astronaut Barbie, Mattel 1965