Barbie®, one dad’s viewBarbie®, one dad’s view

Chuck here, with posting number two. Well, it looks like we’re getting going here, and I’m excited about the first few comments from all of you.

Let me touch on a few things raised.

To B. Jasmin and Selena: This question about body proportions comes up often and is one we’re always looking at and dealing with. Actually, if you look at the history of Barbie, she has changed quite a bit over the decades, evolving as cultural tastes and fashions evolve.

Two things that we consider whenever we look at Barbie is both how she looks (is she fashionable, on trend, cool, etc.) as well as what message is she sending. It’s really a delicate balance between the reality and fantasy in this world that is Barbie.

If I look through my daughter’s eyes when she plays with a Barbie doll, it’s all about her imagination and where she can go…it’s not about how the doll looks. I also see how strongly my daughter reacts to the empowered women in our Princess and Fairy movies. To me, the important thing is the way girls think and talk about Barbie, and what she represents to them, that is so strong. It proves to me that Barbie looks very different in the eyes of girls than she does to adults.

Mostly, I’m glad to see you and others jump into this discussion of what Barbie can, could and should be. Please continue. Invite others. And check out the question, “Is Barbie a good role model?” in the forum section of webelieveingirls.com. Lots of good discussion there.

To Mary Pat Nally: Thanks for your passion and commitment in support of healthy girls and women. It’s a passion we both share. We’ll keep your comments, suggestions and offer of help in mind as we move forward, and I’m passing your post along to others here (including our growing panel of experts) who are engaged more directly with activities related to what you’re doing. Keep up the good work. Keep speaking up, and out. It’s your kind of voice that actually will help create a better future for our girls.

To Heidi: I’m thrilled that you and your daughter found us, and am particularly pleased that it was your daughter that brought you here. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we engage the girls themselves and create more opportunities for parents and their girls to share ideas and discuss these important topics. Without, of course, getting too heavy for the kids. I’m glad your daughter liked the short film as well. Having gone to your blog, wow, all I can say is thank you, we hear the challenge, and with your help and the help of everyone who feels the same, maybe, just maybe, we can deliver for girls. Everyone, go check out Heidi’s thoughts at www.iwasthinking.ca, and join in. I’m going to go reread it now and learn a couple things about blogging!

More later, Chuck.

Hi. My name is Chuck Scothon, and welcome to my first post in my first blog. In this and future postings, I want to speak with you (and hear from you) as frequently as I can, writing both from my own experience as the General Manager of the Mattel Girls Division, which includes Barbie, and also as the father of a 5-year-old girl.

Having previously spent 12 years as part of Fisher Price, I have seen the power of connecting a brand and a company with efforts that make a difference in the lives of families and children. I believe Barbie has this opportunity too — to not only connect with the needs, desires, and goals of parents, but to continue to influence and inspire girls around the world. This opportunity is what makes me so excited about the possibilities of a new website that we’ve just launched, WeBelieveInGirls.com.

(In fact, since you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably already been there. If not, click here, check it out, and then come back and tell me what you think.)

WeBelieveInGirls.com is designed to support the idea that girlhood is a magical, powerful time that should be protected, encouraged, and nurtured.

My hope is that the site will do one thing really well: give us parents a place to laugh, cry, discuss, engage, and help solve the many things we are all dealing with. Some things will be serious in nature, like the concern many of us have over how quickly our girls our growing up. Other times we will simply celebrate what makes girls so special.

So that’s the site. Now back to the purpose of this blog. As we go forward, I want to use this space to make you more aware of what we at Mattel, and specifically at Barbie, are doing to try to help. I know that as a dad, there are times when I could really use some advice and maybe this can be the place to start the conversation.

I also plan, over time, to share with you the names, faces, and thoughts of the many people that I work with every day. These are people who truly feel blessed to work on the Barbie brand, a brand that brings happiness, smiles, and excitement to girls around the globe. In doing so, I hope you can experience what I am able to see everyday…that we truly do believe in girls and that we are committed to doing something about it.

That’s it for now. Please write and tell me what you think.

—Chuck Scothon, father of Gabriella