The following is a snippet of an entry from the blog of Al Mohler, president of Southern Theological Seminary. Take a second to peruse what he says, and then....I have a question or two for you.
The real problem with Barbie is the one often cited by feminists, but they see only the surface dimensions of the issue. Without doubt, Barbie represents the objectification and commodification of an exaggerated vision of female beauty. She is everything many feminists charge, and they are probably right in seeing Barbie as a problem for many girls. They want to look like Barbie and emulate her fictional lifestyle (also projected by Mattel through advertising and the marketing of accessories.)
As some feminists complain, few girls will grow up to look like Barbie. As a matter of fact no girls will grow up to look like Barbie. Her exaggerated features are just not within the human range of proportion.
Conservative Christians have been rightly concerned about Barbie's in-your-face sexuality. Her immodest dress and romanticized patterns of presentation leave little room for the imagination.
But the most basic problem with Barbie is the fact that she lies. Constantly. The entire Barbie package presents one huge lie about the nature of true beauty. According to the Christian worldview, beauty and truth and goodness are identical. A lie cannot be beautiful and the truth is never ugly. Barbie's total presentation represents a lie about feminine beauty, suggesting in not-too-subtle ways that external attractiveness (even artificial attractiveness) is the foundation of true beauty.
But, according to the biblical worldview, genuine beauty is found within -- in the being and character of a person -- not in their external appearance. The first principle of human beauty is the fact that every human being, male and female, is made in God's image. No one made in God's image can be anything less than beautiful. Nevertheless, one of the signs and consequences of the Fall is that we are all too confused about true beauty. We are too easily bought off with the "pretty" at the expense of the beautiful. Furthermore, our notions of the "pretty" are themselves evidence of the Fall.
The second principle of the biblical worldview concerning beauty is that it is a function of the person's character, not external appearance. Some of the most beautiful people ever to have walked the planet have fallen far short of prevailing standards of prettiness. Conversely, many of the people who have been most pretty in popular perception have been devoid of demonstrated moral character and spiritual graces.
Barbie turns fifty this month, but she doesn't show it. Meanwhile, the girls who first played with Barbie dolls are now over fifty themselves. Millions of them have grown up to be women of virtue and character, raising families and serving others. By now, many show some signs of aging and the passage of time. Yet, in their faces and lives we see far more beauty than Barbie has ever been able to muster -- then or now.
So, Barbara Millicent Roberts is turning fifty. I won't expect an invitation to her big party.
Though I haven't had the opportunity to experience the blessing of being a mother, I have wondered at various times how I would teach my daughter the true nature of beauty that woman can possess, and should possess. I firmly believe that it is best impressed upon a girl's heart by a life that emulates it consistently (though not perfectly) and with humility, and the power of the Word spoken into her life. Women need to talk about these things with their daughters and give them an opportunity to think through these things in an avenue of thought that is not just the one that the world wants them to travel down regarding this issue. It is such a big deal for women, and one that we, in many ways, have to tackle every single day. What Truth about beauty are we going to believe?
So, my questions are: What do you believe is the biggest influence upon girl's perceptions of beauty today? Why?
Do you have a plan in mind as to how you will approach this subject with your daughter(s)? Or, if you have boys, do you intend to try and help them see where true beauty lies?
When you picture a woman who is the essence of true beauty, what is it about her that impresses you that way?
For some, this may seem a bit frivolous or unnecessary, but it's just a chance to dialogue, and I enjoy getting others' perspectives. I'll chirp in with my answers at some point in time as well. Just thought I'd throw the questions out for starters. And no....I don't have a vendetta against Barbie (though I must comment that I was a bit disappointed one Christmas when my mom bought me the off-brand Barbie; was that somehow supposed to be more 'sanctified'?).
