A plus-size Barbie illustration has sparked controversy among those who think such a toy would promote unhealthy habits and those who think it's just more realistic.
The
Plus Size Modeling Facebook page put Barbie back in the spotlight for her unhealthy body image by asking followers if they think Mattel should make a plus-sized Barbie.
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The company told people to like the post if they thought plus-size Barbies should be made, and so far it’s gathered more than 40,000 likes and a couple thousand shares. The image Plus Size Model used was borrowed from Worth 1000’s page.
Controversy over the original Barbie’s impossible real-life size has come up numerous times, pointing out how unrealistic it is to let girls think they can achieve that skinny, busty look.
The idea of a Barbie without skinny curves got both positive and negative comments on Plus Size Model’s Facebook post. While many were in favor of the idea, some said the image shown, which has three chins, needs to dump the chins because “the double chin is a little ridiculous,” one woman wrote. “But I’m all for it!” she added.
Others thought that while Barbie needs a remake to create a more realistic image, it isn’t good to promote an unhealthy look.
“Maybe not plus size but maybe average or healthier. Cause u can be ‘thicker’ & still be healthy. Not all plus size woman eat unhealthy,” wrote one person.
Still others were vehemently opposed to a heavy Barbie.
“No one is naturally fat ... that’s sending the message to girls that it’s ok to look like this and be unhealthy. How about we stop obsessing about being overweight and teach our children to eat healthy and get out and play…” wrote one woman.
Yahoo Shine showed illustrator Nickolay Lamm’s depictions of a more appropriately sized Barbie, while the
International Business Times showed Lamm’s version of Barbie in which she has a lot less makeup.
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