After creating a one-of-a-kind bald Barbie doll for a special four-year-old girl battling cancer, Mattel – long-time producer of beloved Barbie dolls – is under increasing pressure to take things a step further and begin mass-producing this new bald Barbie. More and more people are calling for these unique dolls to be made available to the general public.
Via the Facebook campaign. Click the photo to visit.
The Facebook campaign page is blowing up with “likes” for this new doll, and promoters say that it will help young girls who may themselves be suffering from hair loss due to factors such as chemotherapy and radiation treatments, alopecia, trichotillomania, or other auto-immune disorders. There’s also a Change.org petition trumpeting the same cause.
Barbie has long been extolled as a standard of beauty among young girls. A bald Barbie would help those who are fighting a disease or disorder to feel like a part of something wonderful and to view themselves as beautiful. The benefits do not stop with young girls who are without hair. A bald Barbie may also help those with friends or family members who are suffering from hair loss to identify and sympathize with their loved ones.
Called “Beautiful and Bald Barbie”, the name itself implies that baldness can indeed be beautiful. This challenges societal norms and assumptions, while boldly pushing the limits of what has traditionally been accepted as beautiful. The doll may provide a coping mechanism, as well as open the door for conversations regarding the true depth of a woman’s beauty. This unique twist on a classic doll broadens the definition of beauty and embraces an often marginalized sector of the public.
To complement Barbie’s beautiful baldness, Mattel is being prompted to create hats and head scarves for the bald Barbies. Several parents of young girls suffering from cancer have stated that a hairless doll could boost a child’s self-esteem, helping her to see herself in the beauty of the Barbie doll.
However, not everyone is throwing their weight behind the movement. A blogger mom from Chicago states that such a doll takes the focus off of the true needs of cancer patients. She makes the point that what would truly help those struggling with cancer is not a toy, but more money. She contends that an influx of money being poured into medical research or given to families to cover hospital bills meets a real need more than any toy ever will.
With no official response from Mattel as of yet, the debate continues on whether or not a Beautiful and Bald Barbie, if made available to the public, will truly benefit little girls suffering from hair loss. On the whole, however, it seems that the demand for this doll is rapidly picking up speed. Most of the people pleading for the doll have expressed the desire for Mattel to donate a portion of the profits to places, like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, that specialize in pediatric cancer research. This would be a great middle ground that appeases both sides and truly helps families dealing with the devastating effects of cancer.
Incoming search terms:
- „Beautiful and Bald Barbie“
- bald barbie doll
- who made cosmetology school
- trichotillomania treatment playthings
About Heather
Heather Bashaw is the Website Manager for Beauty Schools Directory and is passionate about all things pertaining to the cosmetology field. Heather specializes in helping aspiring beauty school students find the perfect cosmetology schools to meet their needs. Add Heather on Google+.
