Do you think Barbie is a good role model for children?

"While I don't agree with how "perfect" Barbies are made to be, I think they are a really useful tool for children to practice and imagine family situations and stories."


-Rose, 15, Caucasian, questioning female from the USA 

Did you ever play with imperfect dolls?

"[I]still played with them, usually I would interchange arms and legs depending on which one i was playing with. mis and match limbs."


-Sandra, 23, Caucasian, lesbian female from North Carolina, USA 

Did you ever play with imperfect dolls?

 "I didn't...they usually got thrown out."


-Luz, 21, Mexican-American, heterosexual female from the USA

Did you ever wish to look like Barbie?

"I wasn't interested in blonde Barbie. I always liked the more "ethnic" looking dolls. I don't think I grew up with particularly low self-esteem, but I know I didn't look like Barbie and I also knew that Barbie was "perfect". But I still didn't want to look like her. I thought that the darker Barbies with darker hair and skin were prettier anyway. But I was envious of the doll's face. I still have issues with how I feel towards my profile. And theirs were so dainty and perfect."


-Melinda, 23, multiracial (Hispanic/Caucasian), bisexual female from Indianapolis, IN, USA

Did you ever cut Barbie's hair?

"I did cut her hair and once I did she became trash. She wasn't perfect anymore."


-Loraine, 19, Caucasian, heterosexual, female from the United States