[BebopVT]

Barbie, beware. The iconic plastic doll is often mutilated at the hands of young girls, according to research published Monday by British academics. "The girls we spoke to see Barbie torture as a legitimate play activity, and see the torture as a 'cool' activity," said Agnes Nairn, one of the University of Bath researchers. "The types of mutilation are varied and creative, and range from removing the hair to decapitation, burning, breaking and even microwaving."
Researchers from the university's marketing and psychology departments questioned 100 children about their attitudes to a range of products as part of a study on branding. They found Barbie provoked the strongest reaction, with youngsters reporting "rejection, hatred and violence," Nairn said.

"The meaning of 'Barbie' went beyond an expressed antipathy; actual physical violence and torture towards the doll was repeatedly reported, quite gleefully, across age, school and gender," she said.

While boys often expressed nostalgia and affection toward Action Man _ the British equivalent of GI Joe _ renouncing Barbie appeared to be a rite of passage for many girls, Nairn said.

"The most readily expressed reason for rejecting Barbie was that she was babyish, and girls saw her as representing their younger childhood out of which they felt they had now grown," she said.

[horaAppagob]

sheese... Even I haven't out grown Barbi!

[HootSnori]

Guess I ought to buy some more Mattel stock.:question

Every Barbie that is destroyed is a space for another purchase... I'm gratified that they aren't passing the dolls on.

[DoctorAlexandro]

Y'see, the more shrewd Brit kids hang on to their Barbies, and then use them for S&M Barbie tableaux, Pierced Barbie makeovers, Binge Drinker Barbie, Wino Barbie, Goth Punk Barbie, and of course, Bag Lady Barbie.

Sounds like wholesome healthy fun to me...

[HootSnori]

This afternoon, on my way back form the beach [it's a silly Southern California "First Day Of Winter" tradition with me & Mrs. Sin.] I remembered that I hadn't gotten the daughter of my Guru, Larry, anything for Christmas. [I've mentioned Larry many times here on DumbLaws... he operates the lube rack down at the corner Shell station, and is a deep thinker]

I pulled into the local "Toys-"R" Us" toy store, and asked the salesperson, "How much is that Barbie you have in the display window?"

The salesperson answered, "Which one? We have: Workout Barbie for $19.95, Shopping Barbie for $19.95 Beach Barbie for $19.95, Disco Barbie for $19.95, and Southern California Divorced Barbie for $265.95... Which one would you like?"

I asked him if I had heard correctly, "Did you say that Southern California Divorced Barbie was $265.95??"

The clerk nodded and affirmed, "Yes, $265.95... plus tax, of course."

I was astounded, so I asked: "How could that be? Why is the Southern California Divorced Barbie $265.95. and the others only $19.95?"

The clerk, obviously annoyed at my ignorance, curtly answered, "Sir..., "Divorced Barbie comes with: Ken's Car, Ken's House, Ken's Boat, Ken's SUV/ATV, Ken's Furniture, Ken's Computer, Ken's Checkbook, Ken's Credit Cards, and... your choice of One of Ken's Friends."


I got her the "Workout Barbie" and a $50 gift certificate.