Is Barbie a Role Model?

Barbie is so much more than the stereotype that has been projected onto her.

Barbie is our teacher.

Barbie is our doctor.

Barbie is Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Barbie is Malala and Michelle Obama.

Barbie, in my opinion, is a definition of femininity – and it's important I say 'a' and not 'the' definition of femininity because that is part of the reason why Barbie, for some has been a problematic representation of womanhood.

The idea of Barbie became a stereotype because the systems of patriarchy conditioned many to objectify Barbie through that always permeating male gaze. 

One of my favourite parts of the movie is when Barbie literally (and metaphorically) punches patriarchy in the face.

Barbie as an idea is more than her appearance. She is possibility and potential. 

Barbie was always an idea – the idea that women can choose their future, choose how they wanted to dress, choose how they owned their femininity and most importantly lived freely – empowered, enabled and inspired.

Barbie invites us to step into our power as women – what could be a better role model than that?

This sentiment is the underlying premise of The Dream Gap Project (2019) - a global mission driven by Mattel to enable young girls to reach their full potential by actively dismantling the inequitable systems that are still in place today. Their research suggests that even though girls believe in their potential, societal and gendered biases can impact a girl's future choices, which unfortunately may hinder her fulfilling her full and future potential – whatever that may be, including becoming a leader.

When I started to dream of becoming a leader in education, I was told by the women around me:

You're too small

You're too pretty – if you weren't so kind, I would not like you

You're not white

You're not ready to lead English

You need to be more resilient (if you knew my story, you would realise how wrong you are)

You're too kind

… so inevitably my Dream Gap started to take form.

I began to believe I couldn't be a leader because I didn't fit the mould – the stereotypical mould of leadership.

At the 2023 #WomenEd Global Unconference , my mum and sister were in the audience as I was sharing my story. 

My mum is my shero and the best role model my sister and I could have. I grew up in a Barbie Land. We supported each other, we raised each other up and we were/are always there for each other. 

Going into the teaching was parallel to Barbie entering the Real World – there were so many limiting, societal gendered assertions about women – all of them destructive.

I became lost during the first few years of my career – I loved teaching the children but the adults around me were anything but enabling and inspiring – especially the women. I didn't see myself in the landscape of educational leaders and thinkers – until I found #WomenEd.

And thankfully in the Real World, we do have #WomenEd. 

#WomenEd saved me and enabled me to connect with inspiring, empowering and most importantly kind leaders.

I am now a Senior Assistant Principal, leading English, Pupil Leadership, DEI Pupil Leadership and am the Primary Trust Literacy Lead Practitioner. And I've worked with and am working with inspirational leaders who are the definition of empowered and enabling women.

Barbie is all women. 

Barbie is #WomenEd

Cover Photo: Copyright Diane Bondareff/Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP