Has playing Barbies as a child affected who you are today?

"I think it encouraged me to build stories inside of my head, to put myself into a story rather than just take it in. Creating the story lines allowed me to build a story in an interactive way rather than just on paper. Because I played with Barbies, I'm pretty good at building fantastical worlds with lots of potential for characters and stories, but, since we usually abandoned a story half way through, I'm not good at finishing my ideas. But my experiences taught me to play in my own mind. I think if I ever became a fiction writer, my experiences with Barbies would play a big part in a subconscious way."


-Marcie, 21, Caucasian, heterosexual female from the United States

How did other people influence the way you played Barbies?

"My friends were freaked out by the bondage (I was always contriving some way to get them tied up-guys and girls alike) and crime related plots. My siblings were annoyed by my obsession with fantasy, insisting that wizardry and hobbits not be involved. Also, my father's failed attempt to get me to give up my favorite doll (who was black) and comments by some kids was something that influenced how I thought of racism (mainly that the doll was still as beautiful and perfect as ever, but that people were mean)."


-Reese, 22, White and Native American, genderqueer individual from the United States