What is the controversy with the Growing Up Skipper doll? (2024)

What is the controversy with the Growing Up Skipper doll?

Modern (1975–present)

Why was Growing Up Skipper discontinued?

Mattel introduced the Barbie in 1964 with the intention of creating a character that portrayed a girl's journey through puberty by giving the doll the ability to grow breasts. While the aim was to educate young consumers on the natural process, the doll was discontinued 10 years later due to increasing criticism.

Was growing up Skipper recalled?

"Growing Up Skipper" Got a Little Too Grown Up

By rotating her left arm, Skipper's breasts would grow and she would get taller. The box also boasted how she went from a "cute little girl" to a "tall curvy teenager." The sexualization of a teenager was the issue, and Skipper got pulled in 1977.

What is the Skipper incident in Barbie?

In the movie, when the board of the Mattel company learns that Barbie and Ken have escaped Barbieland, they panic, saying this is a repeat of "the Skipper Incident," as the CEO (Will Ferrell) discloses that Barbie's older sister Skipper managed to escape Barbieland and kidnapped some children in order to babysit them, ...

What is the issue about the controversy behind Barbie?

Feminist groups in the 1970s pointed out that its super-thin frame would set the wrong precedent for young girls, and advocacy groups such as the South Shore Eating Disorders Collaborative have said that if Barbie was a real woman she would not have enough body fat to menstruate.

Is Grow Up Skipper discontinued?

The company eventually discontinued the "Growing Up" dolls in 1977, but Skipper continued to develop in subsequent versions of the doll. "Super Teen Skipper," created in 1979, retained the doll's aged-up appearance. "Hot Stuff Skipper" doll was released in 1985.

Why was Alan discontinued Barbie?

Allan was dating Midge, Barbie's best friend — more on her below! — and they could go on double dates with Barbie and Ken. But the Allan doll was eventually discontinued in 1966, most likely because he wasn't as popular as Ken, a detail that the movie won't let Allan forget.

Why was Oreo Barbie controversial?

Released in 2001, this Barbie featured an OREO purse to encourage study time and snack time. However, the Afro American version of the doll did not go down well as Oreo is considered a derogatory term of Afro Americans who date and marry white people.

Why was sugar daddy Ken discontinued?

However, the doll was soon discontinued in the '70s after a huge backlash as parents were justifiably concerned about the doll sexualizing young teenage girls. A doll that similarly polarized consumers was the one strangely christened Sugar Daddy Ken.

What did the original Skipper doll look like?

1964 #0950 Straight-Leg Skipper Doll.

The first Skipper dolls in the toyshops had a TAN/GRAYISH skin. Her size was 9.25 inches. The doll has painted blue eyes, coral lips, and long straight rooted hair with bangs; blonde, brunette, or titian.

What Barbies were discontinued?

Does the Barbie movie have Lgbtq references?

Gerwig claims some form of queerness for the film through a series of references to queer culture, including showcasing The Indigo Girls, a Birkenstock shoe, and a gender-bending song by non-binary pop icon Sam Smith.

Did Barbie get divorced?

"However, fans saw the divorce as the forgone conclusion to a loveless, mismatched relationship." Barbie dated Australian surfer dude Blaine for a while, but she ended up getting back with Ken seven years later, on Valentine's Day 2011.

Why Barbie is banned in Vietnam?

Barbie was never released in Vietnam due to a scene that depicted the controversial nine-dash line, which both Vietnam and China claim as their own in the South China Sea.

Why girls are rejecting the new curvy Barbie?

“The most commonly identified reason for not wanting to play with the curvy doll was her larger size,” Dr Harriger said. Curvy Barbie is similar in height to petite Barbie, but has a more rounded stomach, thicker legs and no gap between her thighs. She is still larger than the average woman.

When was growing up skipper discontinued?

'Growing Up Skipper' was discontinued in 1975 due to backlash.

Was there really a Skipper doll that grew breasts?

For those who aren't familiar, Skipper is Barbie's little sister. Launched in 1964, she was designed to look like a kid. But in 1975, someone at Mattel had the bright idea to release a Skipper doll that hits puberty. This controversial doll grew breasts (and became slightly taller) when you rotated her arm.

Was growing up Skipper a real Barbie doll?

The Growing Up Skipper Barbie Is Real But Was Discontinued

However, as mentioned in the 2023 film, Growing Up Skipper was one of many discontinued Mattel dolls. The plastic figurine was based on the Skipper character, which was created in 1964.

Is there a fat Barbie doll?

Now toymakers Mattel have released three new body shapes. Original Barbie is being joined by Curvy Barbie, Tall Barbie and Petite Barbie.

Was pregnant Barbie really discontinued?

Due to these concerns and the controversy surrounding Pregnant Midge, Mattel decided to discontinue the doll. The company chose to focus on other family-themed Barbie dolls and playsets that were better aligned with the brand's traditional image and values.

Why was the Allan doll controversial?

Despite Midge's traditional nuclear family with her husband, Alan Sherwood, critics argued that the doll promoted teen pregnancy and thus was removed from Walmart's shelves in 2002.

What does Alan in Barbie represent?

By refusing to take a passive role in Kendom, Allan represents the men who aren't afraid to call out other men's misogynistic behavior and stand up for women. Despite being outnumbered by the Kens, Allan possesses a crucial role within the movie – a powerful message from Greta Gerwig.

What is the controversy with the tattoo Barbie doll?

The Barbie doll caused outrage among some parents, who believe the doll sends the wrong message to children. One concerned parent argues that Tattoo Barbie influences impressionable children who are too young to dress like Tattoo Barbie and who do not understand the permanency of tattoos.

Why was Magic Earring Ken Cancelled?

Earring Magic Ken was discontinued and recalled after being associated with the gay community.

What happened to Midge Barbie?

The doll was launched in 1963 as Barbie's bestie. She had freckles and red hair, and she wore less makeup than Barbie did. The first version of Midge was discontinued in 1967 and replaced with a doll named PJ, who looked more like Barbie.