by Francis Jones

Created on: September 28, 2010

The media is constantly inflicting its values on consumers. The media chooses "ideal" cars, hairstyles, clothing and also tells consumers what they should look like. This results in pressures to conform and this especially affects the self-esteem of females. Females are consistently bombarded with images of breathtaking, size 0, blond bombshells on television, in magazines, and on the runway. The question, "Where and when do these self-esteem issues arise in females?" may come to mind. Well, one may be surprised to learn that it starts in a young girl's toy collection with a fashionable, radiant, blond, and physically fit doll named Barbie.

Barbie's first graced the world with her overpowering presence in 1959.  Barbie gained notoriety and has since gone on to become the world's most popular doll. One reason for Barbie's appeal is her impeccable fashion sense. Since her introduction, Barbie's clothes have always been in line with current fashions, including her infamous zebra print bathing suit from 1959. Barbie's need to be in fashion reiterates the needs of consumers to do the same. In essence, there is nothing wrong with wanting to own clothes that are in fashion but issues arise when this desire causes unnecessary spending due to the constant change of trends that are already rather costly. Barbie's pricey taste in clothes reflect media ideals of what is in style but it is Barbie's body that really applies media values.

Barbie has "the" body. Any girl would kill to have Barbie's figure. She is tall, slim and shapely. Barbie's body is flawless. Females (more specifically, young girls) are doing everything in their power to become a "size 0." The pressure to be beautiful is so harmful and results in low self-esteem which can lead to eating disorders and other problems in young women. All to be like Barbie, whose body in fact, is not even a realistic representation of any female. If Barbie were human, her measurements would cause her to take up residence in the emergency room. Barbie's body is unattainable. Her body does not reflect reality and neither does her looks. Luscious, blond hair, sparkling blue eyes, petite pink lips, and the facial structure of a supermodel, Barbie is astonishingly beautiful. Unfortunately not every female is born a blond with blue eyes, pink lips and an amazing facial structure. Of course there is nothing wrong with this but the media says otherwise. In fact, the media will convince you to "fix" whatever you can. Females then

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