…now with realistic needy clinging action

Nov. 23/2007 – I’m really glad that Raf showed the Barbie video in his presentation today because I have felt for years (since well before I was a CMNS student) that Barbie products represent the archetype of consumer socialization, “the process by which young people acquire skills, knowledge, and attitudes relevant to their functioning as consumers in the marketplace,” (Kline, 288). The degree to which Barbie and her vast line of related products engage in naturalizing traditional gender roles in the minds of children is as offensive as it is blatant. As such, the whole notion of Barbie’s limiting mediation of play in children is perfectly relevant to this week’s material. I’d like to show one video I came across while browsing toy ads on Youtube a few months ago:

Ah, Cool Shavin’ Ken. When will you understand that your scraggly beard is destroying your relationship with Barbie? Sure, she laughs and says it tickles, but can’t you hear the disdain in her voice? You’re lucky you’ve still got your boyish charm, man, otherwise she’d be out the door. I mean, clue in – haven’t you noticed how differently she acts towards you when you’re clean shaven? She fucking kisses you TWICE! What’s your secret, Cool Shavin’ Ken? It’s your aftershave, right? I knew it. It’s gotta be the aftershave. Hey, do you – do you think if I took a cue from you and bought a crate of Old Spice, the blondes would be hanging off of me, too? I’ve got a date with Cookin’ and Cleanin’ Barbie tonight and I really want to woo her, cause I hear she does all the housework and keeps her mouth shut. I bet she doesn’t eat a lot either, so I’d save money on food, which would be nice.