Wow--I'm not sure what I think about this! I agree that it is completely hypocritical unless underneath that burka is a normal body and not the impossible measurements of classic Barbie. I like to be tolerant of other religions and their customs but I agree that when the women are being repressed it's harder to support a certain custom.

You bring up so many great issues here!

I'm surprised about the burka barbies. Perhaps it's a part of the globalization phase we're in. I also feel angry when I see the woman dressed in burkas walking behind their western clothed husbands! Why do the men get to have freedom to dress as they like, but not the women? Don't these woman resent that? I don't feel that way about the nuns you saw. First of all, most nuns don't dress that way any more. Secondly, those nuns you saw "chose" to join that order of sisters. No one forced them to join. They exercised the freedom of choice and free will.

my voluable sister saw this on the news and was stunned into silence

sorry about the typo there

If "Birkanstocks" (sic) are part of the wardrobe, sales will drop considerably.

I loved BArbie as a kid. In the 6th grade I recreated the Globe Theater with barbies performing Romeo & Juliet. :)

Do women who wear burkas and walk behind their husbands have the economic means or independence ot buy burka "barbies" to their daughters?
My guess is this is just marketing strategy for sales in the Western countries ("do you have Burka Barbie?" " No, I´ve got Doctor Barbie and Vet Barbie, daddy I want a burka barbie!"), and it might be taken as an affront by those men and why not, women- who live in that culture and tradition.

i was planning a responsive comment in my head until i got to your sentence, "Their heads were down as they were walking behind their husbands ..." which, for me, says it all.

interesting, provocative essay, maryt. -r-

Interesting, Mary. I would say that we have our own repressive garb and appearance choices right here. Three inch heels. Tight, low-cut tops. Plastic lips. Streaked hair. Etc. After traveling the globe, I think we are in our own way, wearing the uniform of a culture.

but is this a question with no answer, but one that must be answered?
Because the question is not "will the west accept Muslim tradition?" nor "Is the burka inherently sexist and antithetical to western views of human rights?" nor "Should Muslims be forced to conform?". It is all three at once.

Is this really true. I love what you choose to write about, Mary, and then enter honest, intelligent, and humorous reflections on your subject. And written so well even I can understand it.

What peaks my curiosity is how a Board of Directors could sit down at the conference table and decide this would make a great campaign for selling Barbie dolls. I mean they are profit oriented, business. Not philosophers and peace makes. Can you imagine the presentation from some guy or gal trying to promote this idea? I simply can't.

I can see wearing burkas for keeping desert sand out of your hair, face, eyes. But the body heat in the rest of it? Also, if it is worn to protect from rape, how can that work when women stand out in Burkas. A guy sees a Burka and bam. There's a rape victim underneath.

This is an American perspective trying to compete with age old customs. And, yes, who woulda thunk. RRRated.

Anything "Barbie," just screams capitalism, period. Another ply to amp sales, drive the hype and create a marketing "knee jerk reaction" response. It's working, is it not?

A brave and relavant post, Mary.

I think Burka Barbies will sell to kids who just want another Barbie. I doubt they will be accepted by women who wear Burkas themselves.

America should mind its own business. Let people wear whatever they want or pass a law saying women may neither wear Burka's nor Bikini's or better yet woman MUST wear Bikini's at all times :} That might spur the job market or the birth rate or both.
(Kidding)

Unless Burka Barbie is purchased by people who foresee it being a collector's item (don't touch it, leave it in the box), most little kids will undress Burka Barbie and put her in other clothing, anyway . . . and I'd expect that in most cases the burka will be cast aside more or less permanently because, well, it isn't the most fun, creative attire. What SHOES is Burka Barbie going to wear? Are they remolding her feet, or will she still be on perpetual demi-pointe? I'm just trying to envision sexy footwear with the burka.

I don't know what to say about this burka barbie situation.
I came from a country there were burkas walking around sometimes. I cannot stand them. My family has never been extreme religious. I was lucky at least at that part

I guess they want to sell Barbies to extremely Muslim countries.
Some people would do anything for more money.
They made hooker barbie. Why not putting in a burka now?
So stupid!...

This honestly doesn't surprise me. If you think about it, Burka Barbie fits the perfect Barbie image (or the image of how women should be) Quiet, submissive, obeying...typical female role model these days...Where is GI Jane barbie or Dyke Barbie?! hehe I love being over ly feminist sometimes. Just a reason to bitch :)

From what I've heard, underneath those burkas are some pretty styling outfits. It's a cultural thing as far as I'm concerned. I mean we have women right here in Houston who are (voluntarily through their emotional dependence) totally chained to their men and children -- they don't wear burkas but they're just as invisible.

Amazing. When my kids had Barbies, they got tired of them fast. So we developed some new ideas. Such as Electric Chair Barbie. We made a chair, attached some wires and watched Barbie ride the lightning. But this takes the cake.
R

Burka Barbie? Better than trailer trash barbie in stretch pants with a little muffin top and a butt hanging out of her mouth, I guess. Ken gets the beer gut and a night shift job at the 7/11 while Barbie does tequila shots with the truck full of immigrant lettuce pickers renting the trailer next door, thereby leaving her with some serious esplaining to do when she gets pregnant.

I'm amazed you see women in burkas where you live! I see women in Muslim head scarves quite often here, but never a full burka or any face veiling. I would think it would be very rare in the US.

As for why this bothers you so much...I think your experience in a repressive religion is a good bet. I often have the same types of reactions, esp to religious things, for that reason. (Although I have to say that having been raised Catholic, seeing nuns in old style habits actually seems quaint to me. I rarely see that anymore.)

the way the French are trying to fight this is interesting. They have of course many Muslim immigrants and now many Muslims born there. They previously banned just head scarves on girls in public schools, arguing it's a secular institution with clothing rules. They generally argue for maintaining a secularized society. I think they have a point, but I also think they're going to have a hard time winning this one. The only thing that seems to work is just let the generations play out and the kids and grandkids become increasingly assimilated into their new country's culture.

I've been thinking about this all morning, and I still haven't formulated my thoughts on it, so I may be back.

Gwool's comment took the cake!

Anyhoo, when I first saw this on the news, I rolled my eyes and figured it was just more "pandering" and marketing bs. If a woman wants to wear it, awesome, her choice. But it should go both ways, she should also have the choice to not wear it.

And as several others have said, most girls who get this doll won't give a fig about the burka. I guess I have a hard time getting my head around WHY this was even put on the market in the first place. Oh and a new "Sugar Daddy" version of Ken was realeased as well. Don't even get me started on that! LOL

Rated.

"Better than trailer trash barbie in stretch pants with a little muffin top and a butt hanging out of her mouth"

With respect to Gwool, Barbie doesn't even come close to having a muffin top, although, it would be a very interesting thing for Mattel to consider..."Muffin Top Barbie"

Also, I like trailer trash Barbie and infinitely prefer her to holier than thou Nun Barbie, or Burka Barbie, or whatever the hell her creepy new uniform is.

For me it is all about choices, and the success or lack of success will be whether or not it sells. I suspect it will, to the fathers.

@Ghostwriter: Ms. Kelly opined she did not allow her girls to play with barbies based on their unrealistic body imagry. So, that generation seems to have decided it is ok to walk around in tight clothes, with midriff showing. This is NOT to say those kids are unattractive or necessarily fat, mind you, just that their, uh, fashion sense does not, shall we say, highlight their best attributes for anyone other than a chubby chaser. So, in that context, I suggested muffin top Barbie. I mean, does life imitate art or is it the other way around? This of course, assumes that someone named Art is the product manager in charge of the Barbie line.

But I digress ...

This really is an interesting and thought provoking post....I don't really know if I have an actual opinion quite yet. I do know, that visiting London for a few weeks last year was an eye opener for me. Lot of women in full black burkas, with the screen in the head portion and gloved hands walking BEHIND the Armani-suited husband who was just leading the family.....the woman schlepping all the kiddos, shopping bags , strollers. Does she want to be underneath all of this heavy clothing on a hot summer day doing all the dirty work? Is she just following her cultured tradition????

I played with Barbie as a girl and loved it. I especially loved dressing her up and doing her hair. Did it do me damage?
Absolutely NOT. I probably have a better body image (being shorter and of normal body size) than many of my friends. So looking at the unattainable barbie body had no effect on me. Maybe the full burka won't either.....time will tell.
I didn't have daughters, just sons. Other mothers would not let their sons play with guns for fear that they would grow up to be violent criminals. My sons played with their play guns, He-Man swords and potentially violent what not.....and big news flash...they have no desire today to hunt, own or handle a gun.....so I think we go overboard as to what type of effect the kids toys may have.

You raise some good questions, Mary. Where I live in Britain there is a large Muslim population but interestingly, the burka has been adopted by mostly young women, often those born in this country. The parents and grandparents never wore them.

In practical terms, it is very difficult to communicate with someone wearing a burka with an opening barely large enough to accommodate eyeglasses.

The eyes may be the windows of the soul but we read more than we realize from facial expressions, head movements, and a voice unimpeded by a layer of fabric.

I wonder what little (American) girls think about this. I'm optimistic that it might at least normalize the look and lead to fewer inappropriate stares on the street, hopefully it would also open up a conversation about different cultures and customs with kids and parents; ideally, these discussions can be held without vitriol and passing on our negative notions about these cultures.

I love nuns. I want a nun Barbie.

Also, everyone who says that "all women should wear bikinis" needs to visit a WalMart first, just to be sure.

Oh, Mary...I am saddened to see Barbie, feminist,who own her home (several), car (many many), and husband Ken (and he changes his vibe to always be what she wants). She has been a nurse, a model, a mom, a vet, a flight attendant, and a stock car racer. What a woman!

I DO NOT want to see Barbie in a Burka! Barbie would never do that. Seriously, I find it very disturbing.

What I do want to see is a Melt Down Barbie. A Barbie who is still in her pajamas at 3 in the afternoon, having a flip out, hair askew, wondering what her life has been all about.

Great post....xox

I think it is great. It will be an interesting game of who has whom, but score one for capitalism.

Exactly how serious can a religious symbol be when attached to a naked plastic fantasy woman?

The west is like a roach motel..... they check in but never check out.

MaryTKelly, I find your comment that you would not buy your daughter a Barbie, because you didn't like the shape of the doll's body, to be one I hear a lot, but I find rather facile. What did you play with as a child? Even older dolls that depict adults had slim bodies with tiny waists and noticeable breasts. Do you mean you would only let a child play with a doll that looks "child-like"? Because children really love to play at "being an adult", and don't always want baby dolls.

Even dolls that depict children or babies are not "realistic" -- they can be sexless, they can have huge eyes that would be freaky in real life. They are most always white! Dolls typically have large heads and hands, but smallish bodies and feet, because that's how human beings perceive themselves -- but not how we look in reality! (In real life, someone with giant eyes would be frightening and freakish, not "cute".)

In that context, Barbie (and other fashion dolls) only look like what we ALREADY PERCEIVE as an attractive young adult woman. Numerous attempts have been made over the years to produce dolls that were plain, or who had wide hips and small breasts -- like the 70s "Happy to be me" doll -- and they did not sell to either adult parent buyers or children. Our cultural ideas of beauty are VERY deeply ingrained, and won't change easily, and it's not fair to expect a toy manufacturer to lead the pack in some social engineering fashion (while losing sales).

I think it is a far better idea to let children choose the toys they are interested in -- WHATEVER THAT IS -- limited of course by the parent's ability to pay. Trust your children. You might be very surprised at the creative play they can engage in with dolls -- boys too! -- and that it is rarely the rote, trite, predictive play we adults imagine.

Don't hate Barbie because she's beautiful! I mean look at Mary....I've seen her in real life...she's like...a real life Barbie...don't hate me Mary, for saying that....but it's true. xox

Geoff and laurel: A quick note of clarification before I have more time to come back...I did let my daughters play with Barbie dolls. It's stated clearly in the post.

Lets say you could pick a team.

One team has very traditional cultural practices and isn't very happy with technology.

The other team has television, rock n roll, and capitalism on its side. Plus lots of other stuff, just in case. Drugs, sex and rock n roll if need be.

I'm not betting on tradition.

I love that Barbie is embracing more and more cultures and ethnic groups. But I have the same knee-jerk reaction that you do. I think that burkas are a symbol of anti-feminism and control of men over women.

I must say, though, the photo of the Barbie with her face uncovered is simply beautiful. I'm all for my shades of brown dolls.

:)

Someone already beat me to it--I've heard that in extremely wealthy Saudi Arabia, the women are wearing top-notch couture outfits underneath.

Maybe Sarah Palin will comment on this.

We are constantly debating this issue in Quebec. There is a huge Muslim popuation here because of the many French speaking Muslim countries. But Quebec has such a strange history. It's very secular, and very feminist in many ways, but it was, until the 60s extremely Catholic. It was the legal right to religion that preserved its language and culture for so long. So they tread very, very carefully around freedom of religion. My feeling is that this is mostly something that needs to be worked out amongst Muslim women, who are some of the most educated and intellectual women in the world. What is repression for some people, is liberating renunciation for others. It's not up to us to tell women what to wear, or what not to wear. We do enough of that in fashion magazines, which is frankly just another kind of repression sometimes. You worked it out, Mary. So other women can too. Have faith in them.

As for Barbie. Who knows, maybe that Burka barbie that someone gets for x-mas will be a dress rehearsal for more freedom. It's weird, but I would rather back off the burka than rip it off.

As always Mary, your post has started me thinking. I, like you, am not sure how this makes me feel. I know if I gave these to my daughters for Christmas it would open up some very interesting conversations but I think I would feel very uncomfortable watching them disrobe and play with the Burka Barbie in the way they play with some of their other dolls.

Isn't religion great? Rated.

Mary,
Thank you for this post. I find the idea of Burka Barbie unsettling. I realize that those practicing the Islamic faith might feel otherwise. But it’s a seeming contradiction in terms. Sort of like Amish Barbie. Or Mennonite Barbie.

I also share your feelings about the oppressiveness.

I think that folks who have been freed from an oppressive religious experience find outward expressions of morality of any kind to be disturbing in ways that those who defend freedom of religious practice don’t understand.

It’s not a question of wanting to limit anyone’s freedom to practice their faith by their manner of dress. It’s a matter of feeling deep grief and sorrow seeing human beings convinced that God is more pleased with them dressed a certain way and, perhaps even worse, displeased if they are not so garbed.

I feel this way whether seeing friends who are Mennonite or women dressed in burkas. I want so badly to say, “Listen. If there is a God he can’t possibly be so stupid or superficial to think that outward dress actually changes anything that really matters.”

Rated and appreciated.

How do you know it is Barbie under that thing, and not Ken?

But seriously, I have a real problem with people going down the street visually anonymous. We carry photo ID because sometimes it is necessary to visually show that we are who we say we are. We have security cameras in place so that we can visually identify someone who has committed a crime.

In this country, a person can almost wear whatever he or she wants to wear, but there are limits placed on what society will allow. We do not allow a woman to walk down the street topless. If she wants to be topless in her own home, or anyplace outside of the public eye, that is fine. Is it reasonable to say that at a minimum one must wear clothing that does not entirely hide the face, unless there is a medical reason to do so? I don't want a man to walk into my place of business with a cover over his face. I don't want a woman, or someone dressed like a woman, doing it either.

If one wants to wear that full facial covering at home or in their place of worship, then fine. But when in the general public, at least show your face. And cover your breasts.

Luland, I was happy to hear about your experiences in Silly Valley (I'm assuming Silicone, but I don't know why). I love that 99% of the time you make a woman to woman connection. That melts my heart. I don't think Target has them yet because they're waiting to unveil it (strange choice of words I know).

Karin: Thanks for being as confused as I am. I've been thinking of this for the past several days. At first I was indignant...I did a lot of research on the internet which really softened my position and I was wondering what other people thought. I would love to hear from some Muslim women.

patricia: Thanks for your comment. You and I may have a slight disagreement about the nuns. When being raised Catholic, one gets brainwashed at a very early age, and I can't help but wonder how many of those nuns are unconscious about their own paths. I can judge them, but I do wonder.

Nikki: There's more to that comment than meets the eye.

femme forte: It is a provocative post in the sense that there are so many layers to it. I want to understand, but perhaps the answers will range from complete and total domination to the ease and comfort of not knowing what to wear every morning!

O'Really: You're right! That would be a marketing disaster.

Irritated: All I can say is that I wish I had been your playmate then!

Marcela: Your point is well taken, and I'll say again, I would love to hear what Muslim women think of this.

Lea: True true, but really, it's so much more fun to wear something with a plunging neckline than some dark heavy garment. But that's "superficial" me talking.

Brian: Yes, all three at once and my guess is there are probably a hundred more.

Joan: I read one article that said that women in burkas get raped just as much as women that don't. I continue to be confused.

Just Cathy: Thank you...Mattel has apparently been enjoying record sales on their products. Their marketing team has discovered something with this I'm sure.

jimmy: I don't know...it's a question I'd love to get some kind of answers. Thank you for reading!

susan: You're the second person to wonder what the footwear is...and now I'm wondering about that too. What are the accessories that will come with this Barbie?

Pete/Prof: Loved your comment and now have a big smile on my face.

Z bitch: Any comment you make on my posts always makes me laugh. And you never mince words, one of my favorite things about you.

cfranc: Wow, I like your take on this....in some ways, really what is the difference anyway? You go girl...

skeletnum: Yes, I've heard there is some fabulous fashion going on underneath some of those burkas. And you're right...there are plenty of invisible women out there and that's a whole another subject. Thanks for reading and commenting.

john: I can always count on you to bring a different and fresh perspective. I love the Electric Chair Barbie. You're poor children!

Geoff: Another refreshing perspective that makes a great point and a clever and funny image for sure. Thank you.

neilpaul: I'm running a little dense today and re-read your comment several times. I think you are 100% right.

Silkstone: I think your theory of eventual assimilation makes a good point, but because I'm not Islamic, I don't know how deep this truly runs. France will be a very interesting country to watch. Thanks so much for your comment.

Owl: I hope you come back...I always love your reflections.

LadyMiko: A new Ken "sugar daddy"???? WTH? Now that makes me mad!

ghostwriter: Mattel should take note of these comments...there are some great ideas here.

Buffy: Where's the drum roll when you need it. A solid ka boom! Thank you!

Geoff: Just to reiterate. I resisted letting my daughters play with them, but relented. I was wise enough to know that anything forbidden becomes a child's fascination.

lorimarie: Great comment with lots of potential conversations that could come out of it. Thank you!

Dear reader...loved this: "The eyes may be the windows of the soul but we read more than we realize from facial expressions, head movements, and a voice unimpeded by a layer of fabric." And now I'm curious about the popularity of the burka among younger Muslim women.

Raving Bits: This is also my hope...that burka Barbie will ultimately educate many of us on a subject most Western women just don't understand (unless they're Muslim western women).

Robin: I want your version of Barbie! I'd play with it myself!

Nick: Provocative comment that's worth reflecting on. Thank you

Laurel: As I stated earlier, I stated clearly about my misgivings about letting my daughters play with the Barbies but ultimately let them play with them. Perhaps your comment will be helpful to someone who won't. They are fair questions and I thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

Robin: I don't know whether to be happy or depressed!

Nick: Your comment supports the research that says that children of divorce will always pick the more lenient parent to stay with, when given the choice.

Gwendolyn: You and I are on the exact same page.

Leeandra: Yes, and good for them!

OE: I'll wait patiently for her opinion....not.

I'll be back...work beckons....

I was forced to play Barbie, Ken and Midge by my sister. She never got the Barbie car so Ken could get mad and drive away.

Loved your approach in this post. Open and Curios. I feel we need more curiosity and less judgment, more openness and more love.

Good questions!! Now are they going to come out with Rolls Royces with drivers so these babes can stop at jewelry stores in Geneva, Switzerland? Hermes scarves? Barbie Lifestyle homes with Minarets? Ken as Lawrence of Arabia? Camels? Sheep? Think of the opportunities! Taxis with 9 men and one woman getting felt up? Do they come with make up so they can hide bruises under their burkas? How about guns so they can shoot them soccer fields?

Dear God.... you should not have gotten me started!!

Mary it is all marketing. I can see the financial benefits of selling Burka Barbie to a millions of little Islamic girls. But they are thinking way to small small. Maybe they can sell them as the Islamic family pack with three Barbies and one Ken doll included (stones sold separate). Or how about Jihad Barbie that comes with 70 virgin Barbies with one Martyr Ken doll. Of course Ken has no junk so it would be a waste, but now that I think about it neither does Barbie a match made in marketing heaven.

I know I am warped, but I think I will pick the idea anyway. Just kidding.

I lived on the fringes of the Muslim community when I was in college. I dated a liberal Libyan for a number of years and spent more than my fair share of time around some hardcore Muslim men, and let me tell you I would have given my left breast for a burka on occasion just so that I could avoid the virtual rape stares I would get. The problem isn't the wardrobe the women wear it is the way the men are raised to think of the women around them. For the most part women bear all the responsibility for human sexuality and men are largely victims of poor impulse control. If Barbie plans to walk the playgrounds of the Middle East, she's gonna WANT to be covered from head to toe, particularly with her rack.

Mary I love your writing and the way you present your point of view. I always learn something from your posts and I thank you for that. I am going to ponder this a bit more but in the meantime I appreciate you bringing it up. Congrats on the EP-very worthy!

Here you go, Mary.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/barbies-sugar-daddy-ken-doll-raises-eyebrows/story?id=8952641

Mattel claim the name is based on the names of Ken's dog "sugar" (I'm calling BS)

According to a New York Times Editorial, "Burkha Barbie, by Italian designer Eliana Lorena, will be among the dolls auctioned by Sotheby's in a benefit for the nongovernment charity Save the Children. The message to little girls worldwide: Abandon all hope."

I may have missed something in the post, but the Mattel website yields nothing regarding Burkha Barbie (even trying alternate spellings).

It appears that this is not a mass-production thing (although given the stir, I wouldn't be surprised if an enterprising craftsperson started selling them on eBay).

However, the editorial goes on to say: "We are surprised that Save the Children is so excited about Burkha Barbie. By rights, it should condemn the doll. By its own accounts, Save the Children seeks to create 'a world in which every child is ensured the right to survival, protection, development and participation.'"

In any case, it's thought provoking . . . and the discussion is worthwhile. Not much shakes me up about clothing or non-clothing . . . I worry more for the people behind/beneath it.

I thought burkas were appalling until I was in Hyderabad India for a few weeks for work. I liked to go to the bazaar in the old Muslim part of town when I had a chance, which was always crowded with many women in burkas. One day I happened to spot a group of women, head to foot in black, shopping for bras and panties. Right there on the street, these women were holding up undergarments that looked straight out of Victoria's Secret and laughing and joking with each other. As they moved around, you could catch glimpses of the most beautiful clothing underneath.

It made me wonder: do these women consider their burkas in the same way we do our winter coats and hats and scarves, as simply a bulky but necessary protection when out in the world? I know nothing about their lives but they weren't acting any different than any bunch of women having a good time shopping with friends.

As to the Barbies, my mom didn't approve of her shape either. I didn't have one growing up but I did have, mysteriously, a Ken's friend Alan doll.

An intelligent essay with some great food for thunk! Looking at other comments a good debate has been sparked and I'll watch with interest! Keep it coming!

Most Muslim women whether in the Middle East or the West don't wear this crap. To be fair, we can't lump Afghanistan with the Muslim world. Rape in the Middle East is less than 1% than rape in the US. Afghanistan is the the most backwater nation on the planet; this burka thing is cultural and tribal, not religious.

As for barbie, I agree with Cathy.

Yes, it it an oxymoron, if I ever heard one.
Great post, Mary, enjoyed it much.
Rated.

Do male monks in saffron robes bother you?

How do burkas protect women from kidnapping? That logic is reminiscent of babies who think that when they cover their own eyes, their own bodies can't be seen.

I've thought a lot about this complicated issue of burkas and repression and have mostly come down on the side of freedom to choose. But it's a toughie, I'll admit. My fifth grade class last year made some comments once about how "weird" those women are, and my oppositional nature reared (even though I, like you, am uncomfortable with the implications of women in burkas); I wondered aloud whether they (my fifth graders) themselves ever really thought about their own clothing choices. We looked around and talked about the frankly silly girls' sweaters that go only halfway down--they don't even cover the abdomen--surely they're not actually meant to keep them warm! We talked about the boys who wear woolen caps in mid summer and the ridiculously impractical high heeled shoes some of them had on. You can't possibly make an argument for those based on anything but looks, can you? I argued. They are a fashion statement, period. They have some kind of symbolic, cultural meaning to all of us--and the same is true for the burkha. I really don't pretend to understand it, but neither do I understand the women who pay hundreds of dollars for a tan and brown plaid Burberry purse that looks like every other one.

At least it's got us talking about it. ;)

On second thought, those burkas will be just like all other Barbie clothes; they'll come right off and the Barbies will go swimming in the tub!

re barbie doll bodies. the field of evolutionary psychology indicates that men are tuned to respond to that particular shape, and women who recognize it & fit into it are probably evolutionarily ahead of the game also.

It depends on whether this is marketed to the audience of these women or outsiders. It shifts the perspective of what is appropriate. I'm not sure you can satisfy both audiences the same.

To take an utterly neutral example, that is, to take a class I'm a member of, consider if it were a nerd doll. Making a doll that adequately depicts a nerd depends on whether you are selling to nerds or not. The non-nerd impression of nerds is one of a toy to be laughed at, and they would not see nerds as nerds see themselves. The TV show Big Bang Theory finally manages to depict nerds in a non-pejorative light, but it is tremendously complicated to do and can't be done casually by someone who isn't of the group. I suspect the same is true of Burka Barbie. If it's designed by someone of the culture for that culture, the answers will be obvious to that person in a way that it is not to us, or at least to me.

If the goal is political (western politics, I mean), then anything that tastefully raises consciousness or allows people to ask questions seems like a step forward. To a lot of people the issue is one of the invisibility of women, so the mere fact of blogs like this shows that it makes them less invisible. If the goal, by contrast, is to reinforce their own values, it might be very different. I doubt it would be in keeping with their religion to allow the toy to have a removable costume, for example.

In fact, my first thought was along the lines of the latter interpretation, where it's not removable, and it was that it must be a lot cheaper to make one of these since you don't have to form all that plastic to go underneath. That's probably the outside perception in other cultures (like ours)—that this mode of deress is specifically designed to trivialize anything or anyone inside. My next thought was that it might be cool (in a world where the burka comes off) if underneath the burka was someone dressed as a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, an engineer, etc. so that people who got and played with these things came to understand what was occluded by the shell and why some of us would want to see beneath for reasons that go beyond why the average GI Joe (the toy, I mean, no disrespect to soldiers intended) might want to see beneath.

Wow Mary, this is really multi-layered.

As to Barbie in general, I steered my daughter toward Groovy Girls and other more culturally diverse, and body neutral dolls until we could have a conversation at the right age. We did that last year (and continue the dialogue) and now I let it be her decision. Since that time, the only thing "Barbie" she has bought is a Barbie dog, but this could be simply because she is an animal lover, or, because she really gets it. Or, neither or both. Time will tell. I always try to remember to give kids more credit than most parents allow. I know the history of the Barbie and I don't find it very appealing for the freedom of women in general (nor culturally diverse). I don't think this new 'addition' is doing anything to add to that.

Second, the only representation here of mainstream Islamic dress is the middle example. The "burka" on either side is representative of an extremist faction of Islam in which the women are incredibly subjugated. Islam is as complex as Christianity is and dependent on geography, political climate, and rule of law. I wonder if the designer was aware of this when she was creating this? I wonder if Sotheby's is considering this when using this to raise funds for a children's charity? Selling a doll which represents the ultimate in repression for the help of children? Seems like a bit of an oxymoron to me.

I would love an example of when wearing a burka like that is a choice for a woman. (I really must learn italics).

I think it is quite telling that a leading women's advocate within Afghanistan thinks a burka provides a sense of 'security' for women. What a major misnomer. Someone is kidnapped not because of what they wear but the degree to which they are vulnerable - period. This is played out statistically over and over. It is brainwashing pure and simple - quite sad to me. It reminds me when I was in the Russian Far East and the head female doctor of the largest hospital told me the reason a baby who was born without arms (by a crack addicted mother) was because her mother wore her skirts too tight. It was hard to maintain a look of composure that day - luckily I had a translator to cover for me. The women in the trenches of this type of repression don't have the freedom to even think outside the narrow constructs they are given.

The idea that we are slaves with our western attire doesn't seem like an apples to oranges comparison to me, as this is a choice we make - we can change it at any time.

One of two things has to change. Either burkas have to go or we have to get rid of the 2nd amendment.
I'm just sayin', ya know?

Thought provoking, as always Mary.

P.S. I'm with you on the religious peace, I find any "law making" within religion is for the purpose of subjugation, not freedom, which you find across all the religions. Whereas the purpose of renunciation is a whole other category (which is what I view the Buddhist example you mentioned). This is different than a magazine hyping up the latest trends, they are not telling you this will be the difference between you and the afterlife - especially from when you are an impressionable child. I am truly surprised by the comparisons.

I think any response you have that does not, in fact, involve you tearing others' clothes off is entirely reasonable for you. Some of us don't feel that way about, say, nuns in habits--I am RC, and all I think of when I see them (and the ones I see these days tend to wear very simple habits without the Flying Nun-type wimple architecture) is that I sincerely wish I had followed my first, pre-marital impulse and joined their ranks. The nuns I know have been, for the most part, intelligent and considered persons, focused on what's important and largely free of a lot of the grief and petty conflict under which many others labour. So it's really a very individual thing.

As for Burqa Barbie--no, I don't know what to say to that, but I don't understand Muslim culture from a religious woman's point of view nearly well enough to do so, so that's natural, too. I certainly have no desire to wear a burqa, although I don't have a huge problem with another woman wearing one if that is her choice (this last point being a separate post, as I think we'd all agree).

To be fair, we can't lump Afghanistan with the rest of Muslim world. Afghanistan is the most backwater, barbaric and tribal place on the planet. Rape in the Middle East is less than 1% of rape in the US.

That said, many Muslim women in the West and the Middle East do not wear that shit. According to the Arabs, for example, they want their women to cover up because they don't want the men walking the streets with hard ons. Once they get used to semi-nudidity/nudity like men did in the West, there will be peace in the world.

NO, this crap should not be worn in any Western country.

As far as barbie, I will go with what Cathy said. And yes, Mary, it is an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

Great post, funny; enjoyed it much.
Rated.

First I'm wondering if women who wear burkas and walk behind their husbands have the money or (yuck) permission to buy a Barbie. If their children somehow get one, they'll likely do what most children do: immediately undress Barbie. Voila, naked body, prominent naked boobs. What will their brothers and fathers say? Not kidding here.

There are many Muslims in Philly, mostly black, and I've never seen their children dressed in anything but American garb. Maybe they'd like a Barbie dressed like Mommy. Yet I don't see a lot of black burka Barbies.

Interesting and provocative post as usual, Mare.

I found Burka Barbie delightful actually. Islamic women are very concerned with beauty with a long tradition of visiting to groom in each other's homes. I can see little girls dressing Barbie up splendidly and then covering her with the burka. It's kind of like Black girls in the fifties who only had white dolls to play with.
I remember a middle school girl who was in purdah (not a burka or veil over her face), yet expressed her feminity in her feet--gorgeous high-heeled shoes and painted toemails. Other Islamic women have said that their coverings force men to treat them as persons, not sex objects. Any Western woman knows that often men will converse with them with their eyes on the woman's bustline.
When I see women in purdah, I smile and sometimes I will say asalamalaikum just to let them know that I accept them.
I'll be looking for this one!

Mattel should instead make a "Christiane Amanpour Barbie".

Not only is she a better role model but the burka could still be of use when young girls have their doll play an award-winning international TV journalist.

It makes perfect sense.

Now little muslim girls will have a role model too. It will be a perfect addition to Mattel's new Kandahar Ken, her Taliban counterpart. And just think of the hours of fun and educational opportunities it'll provide in preparing them to be women:

-- They can play "dress up" and learn all about burkas

-- They can play "doctor"and learn about Female Circumcision

-- They can play "spin-the-bottle" and learn about Honor Killings

-- They can play "house" and learn how they're not supposed to leave it

-- They can play "school" and learn how they're not supposed to be there

-- They can play "kick the can" and learn about IED's and roadside bombs

And then there are all those fun accessories to go with it:

-- Burka Barbie's Dream Hovel that she shares with Kandahar Ken

What, you want more accessories?

Great post. We wonder because we don't know. I met a woman in a graduate course, U.S. born, who chose to wear a burka for several years before going back to a head scarf. She said there's freedom in public under the burka (which is not worn at home) that women who wear "other masks" cannot know. I wanted to hear more but that's all she had to say.

Great post Mary!
Clearly you have stirred up the controversy pot here--what with all the comments above!
{chuckling} There are some fine suggestions for a whole new line of Barbies... :-)

I have connections in the design studios at Mattel, and as a result may be able to shed some light on this doll. It should be understood that Mattel has several categories of Barbie Dolls, from dolls for very young girls (mainly "princess" dolls), dolls for tweeners ("trend and fashion" dolls) and expensive, silkstone dolls for adult collectors (which have racier themes like "lingerie", "high fashion" or "celebrity" dolls like Cher or the recent Heidi Klum look-alike doll).

One of Mattel's many Barbie categories is called "Dolls of the World", which depict Barbies in various traditional costumes from Ireland, China, India, Africa and South America. I would not be surprised if they have produced one doll wearing a burqa or something close to it.

That being said, thousands of Barbies can be found via venues like e-bay which are redesigned, recostumed and repainted by amateurs and professionals according to their own interests and imagination. Much of this kind of work is entirely unrelated to Mattel and in some cases deplored by and subject to lawsuits by the company. Public relations with regard to this vast practice is fraught with complications. The Burqa Barbies shown here are the work of Italian designer Eliana Lorena, and have been developed outside of the Mattel company.

Burka Barbies huh?

There is so much that I want to say but I'm afraid that it will be misunderstood.

Burka Barbies seems so weird, yet a natural extension of our bizarre society.

Interesting. You'd think a person who wants a burka for herself or a daughter would be opposed to so "Western" a product. I assume the doll will be manufactured in the Great Satan (America). Give us an update next year. I'd like to know how the product sells. Fascinating. Thanks, Mary.

I'm sorry that time did not permit me to follow through with all the comments. Everyone had something different and valid to say, and I think it will be a conversation for a long time to come.

All that is happening is that Barbie has been losing out on money to the Razanne and Fulla dolls that already exist for children in muslim households. They are just trying to cash in on this market. I don't blame them since there are 1.5 billion muslims in the world. Contrary to popular belief, the traditional hijab is not repressive and for the most part completely voluntary. It was commanded in the Quran and is a religious expression of modesty. Something we in the US desparately need more of. For many muslim women including muslim feminists (yes, they do exist), the hijab brings more respect to them from males and they tend to be treated with more equality since they are not judged by their looks. Muslim girls do not need to make this decision until they have reached puberty so it is not unusual to see girls without a hijab. As for the eye lowering, it is a part of muslim culture as another expression of modesty. Native Americans also have this cultural expression. Please learn about a culture and their beliefs before criticizing it. I am an American muslim convert (white former Catholic) and the beliefs that people have about muslims are downright silly and woefully ignorant. Take the chance to talk to someone who is a muslim and ask them your questions. You just might make a friend.

While I agree with your points on the religious repression of women, you are wrong to include female Buddhist monks as part of your example, known as ni-gu in Chinese in case you want to know. The concept of male superiority vs female submission simply doesn't exist in Buddhism, which dictates all life forms in the mortal realm are equal regardless of gender, social position or even place on the food chain. The reason why a ni-gu has to shave her head is the same as why monks do... they must renounce all that they can that binds to non-spiritual matters.

Within most temples the leader is generally a male monk, but thats most due to the fact that there are WAY more men than women that become monks. Women are generally not encouraged to enter into such a role due to the fact it is detrimental to the population of the society. For that matter, in Asian countries first born males are not encouraged as well as it would hurt dynastic bloodlines. But, getting back to the original point, there are temples that are led by ni-gu where male monks have to listen to her every word... something that is not present in Islam or Catholicism, your two other examples.

Just thought you might like to know this fact. Also, in case anyone thinks I'm culturally biased or something... I'm a complete atheist, not even agnostic; I am indeed against all religion everywhere.