Barbie's been everything: a supermodel, a teacher, a nurse, and other careers that often fit a sexist stereotype about what work a woman can do. Departing from this trend, Mattel invited people to vote on Barbie's next career from a number of choices, some of which are very academically challenging. The result is that the newest Barbie doll will be a computer engineer:
Link via Wired | Image: Mattel
The choice of computer engineer — a field in which men far outnumber women and in which women’s participation has been declining — was announced Friday at the New York Toy Fair.
Lynn Langit, a developer evangelist at Microsoft who teaches programming to girls and works on a Microsoft program called DigiGirlz that teaches girls about technology careers, said she was thrilled about Barbie’s next career.
“We can use any sort of positive influence that we have, because the number of girls studying programming is abysmal,” she said.
Link via Wired | Image: Mattel
Still, my parents hated them (which wasn't a bad thing), so when I got one for a birthday present one year, they told me she was a very smart nuclear engineer that had a disfiguring accident with something...I can't remember exactly what her back story was, but it was fascinating.
love,
the thicked-lensed, kernel hacking computer programmer
That watch has got to go, though.
(granted, I'm smart, and wear glasses, but still...)
Just don't neglect the legos. Ted, my family only bought me barbies and princess crap. I had to go to my friend's house to play with her brother's sega genesis and legos. How's that for forcing girls down a path they don't want to go? People just assume they know what girls do and don't want to be, but if it seems unusual for people who look like you to do something, that has a powerful effect on the psyche.
If it gets girls interested in computers beyond youtube and facebook, I really can't complain. It at least would have stood out in my sea of princess ballerina dolls.
That's the point. It's obviously NOT "working".
As a result of the toys that your parents bought you, did you become a vacuous supermodel or a princess? I'm guessing not.
Did you become a serial killer after paying violent video games with your friend's brother? I'm guessing not.
I think it's good that they can show Barbie as a computer geek, even though she still looks "sexy librarian" stereotypical. I just don't buy into the social engineering aspect of it.
And that's a headset? Maybe she's Telemarketer Barbie!
Just kidding. I would consider myself a feminist and I'm studying to be a teacher, too. I love kids, especially mine, and want to be able to spend time with them. Biology is biology..don't fight it. I still think we should pe paid more, though.
This was all over the news in the last couple days and I dont know why. To me its a not a story. I think Mattel must have an excellent marketing dept because they were able to convince news outlets that a doll is a news story.
She does kinda look like MissC :D
* manage your bank account
* marry for money
* waits till youre married before she cheats so she can say "honey, we have to work on our marriage" as an excuse
* pretend her farts are accidental
* talk for hours on worthless subjects
* eat popcorn and ice cream on the couch like a gross half bear half whale while watching so you think you can dance and survivor
* walk around like a wookie neglecting to shave (see above, working on marriage)
I am a computer engineer and right now I am about as pessimistic about the future of computer engineers in the US as it is possible to be. I'm actually trying to change careers, it seems like being technical is a liability or at least very career limiting. I apologize for the bitter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie%27s_careers