Tattoo Barbie Not Proving Popular
Mattel: no plans to discontinue doll
Parents in the US are furious over fashion doll Barbie’s latest reinvention, which sees her covered in tattoos. The new “Totally Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie” comes with a set of body art stickers to be placed anywhere on her body.
The set also comes with a tattoo gun so kids can stamp designs on themselves. Manufacturer Mattel says the tattoos for children are temporary and wash off. But some parents believe the toy is not appropriate for young children and would not buy the Tattoo Barbie
doll.
Jenn Alcayaga, a parent from Sacramento, California, is against the message the new Tattoo Barbie could send to young girls.
“It’s attracting kids too young to want to expose parts of their body to show off tattoos,” she said.
Another parent, Brandon Thompson, is more open to the idea.
“Maybe it’s a sign of the times,” he said.
“Every generation is different. Elvis was evil at one time.”
It is not the first time Mattel has tested the limits of what parents see as acceptable in a children’s toy. In 2002, they released a pregnant doll, whose stomach opened to reveal an infant doll.
Complaints forced retailers like Wal-Mart to stop selling it.
Despite the complaints surrounding the Tattoo Barbie, sales are exceeding expectations. Mattel says it has no plans to discontinue the doll, insisting it gives girls a chance to express themselves and be creative.
Mattel says the tattoo Barbie lets children express themselves and be creative
What’s your take on this? Would you let your daughter have a Tattoos Barbie?
Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with the Tattoo Barbie doll, it is just a doll with stickers on it.
I would let my daughter play with one. You only live once and I think for some people tattoos can be a great way to express your inner self. Will she get one before 18? Hell no. But a barbie won’t change that.