Would you buy Barbies for your children?

"No... she is a terrible representation of an actual person. I want my children to grow to love how they turn out not grow up constantly disappointed that they aren't as "beautiful" as Barbie."


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

When did you stop playing with Barbies? Why did you stop?

"[W]ell I stopped playing with barbies when my best friend became interested in Bratz about 7 or 8 years ago, and then we collected and played with Bratz instead"


-Jeanie, 19, Caucasian, pansexual/questioning, female from Canada

Would you buy Barbies for your children?

"If they wanted them, sure. Though not if i really disapproved of the particular model for any reason. Because thinking about my childhood, I just wanted one to fit in with the other girls and play dress up, and that's harmless enough."


-Emma, 20, Caucasian, heterosexual female from the UK 

Did you ever cut Barbie's hair?

"I did cut my Barbies hair. I always regretted it afterwards because Barbie hair does not grow back (believe it or not!). I think that those dolls ended up being played with less unfortunately. Looking back on it, I should have embraced those dolls as my own creation and an extension of my own individuality BUT as a little kid I'm sure I just thought, 'Oh shoot now Barbie isn't as pretty and her hair is all spiky, waaaah!'"


-Nancy, 23, Caucasian, heterosexual, female from the United States

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

"Barbie's not a role model at all because she doesn't actually do anything. Barbie is a tool for a child's imagination, and in that definition, she should come in all sizes, colors, shapes, and occupations. Barbie allows a child to build their own role model. Unfortunately, the role model a kid can imagine is limited by the media, and what accessories the doll comes with."


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

How did other people influence the way you played Barbies?

"I never felt comfortable playing with toys when other people were around because a lot of it involved, like acting out conversations and whatnot, that I figured would've looked silly (talking to myself and whatnot) if someone else saw me."


-Addison, 20, Puerto Rican, gynesexual, androgynous individual from the United States 

"[M]y best friend and I had an on-going game of several barbie families, I rarely played alone"


-Jeanie, 19, Caucasian, pansexual/questioning, female from Canada