Barbie Boys in a Gender-Confused World | Opinion
Barbie with their girlfriend or strictly for "cultural research." The debated okayness of men seeing Barbie, and the eternal conundrum of whether boys could play with Barbie dolls, is a chance to ask probing questions about how we understand gender identity today.As a male who once owned numerous Barbie dolls, I can't help but think about how much the cultural scripts of masculinity have evolved since my early childhood.
The rise of the transgender movement and, more recently, of the push away from the gender binary, has radically shifted the way young people who don't fit dominant gender stereotypes are taught to view themselves.I collected a wide array of Barbie dolls, from Olympic and Business Barbies to the vintage Solo in the Spotlight and Swimsuit Barbies.
My fascination with Barbie was partly indebted to my older female cousin, whose interests had a major influence on me.Beyond my cousin's influence, what drew me to Barbie dolls was the space they allowed me to engage my creativity, imagination, and taste for beauty—something action figures didn't offer.
I found the rugged and uncomplicated play to which GI Joe and Power Ranger figures lent themselves to be dull and boring. It was easier to create games with Barbie that involved elaborate psychodramas.Though my parents cringed a little when I would lead them to the Girls section at Toys "R" Us, they willingly bought me dolls.
