(CUP) byM.J. Hamilton (Dal Gazette)

When I was a girl, I was fascinated by Barbie. She cooked, got dressed up, and rode around in a battery- operated, bright yellow Corvette. “So, this is how I am going to be when I grow up,” thought I.

She even had a baby, once Ken came along. Ken had his own apart- ment and wasn’t married to Barbie. Nevertheless, Barbie had a child. I guess I wasn’t too unrealistic.

But most of all, Barbie was perfect - the perfect woman. Her breasts were “just the right” size, roundness and firmness. She didn’t even have to wear a bra. Her long, tanned, slender legs and her hips were “just right” as well. Her facial features were flawless - she never had to put on make-up. She never had to perm or style her long, blonde hair to have that perfect

and to have a boyfriend like Ken cither. It didn’t seem to bother me hat Ken’s genitalia looked bizarre and not exactly " all there”. He was

Campus Women

_ still look at my body and feel disap

Panning Qa Plastic Paradigm

perfect), looked like Barbie that I could never look lik since I do not have k blue eyes. No husia compare with beauty.

I was very dishea had let me down. I felt led me to believe tha was supposed to be. | look “the part” before I d

tealize I didn't have to look like plastic doll to be attractive. However, every now and then,

pointed that I do not look anything ‘ like Barbie. I feel I have not lived up to expectations (mine or society’s), as if it is my fault, and I should have enough discipline to diet and exer- cise in order to to mold my body any way I would like.

So now I swear off Barbie dolls, and feel they should be banned. Women, like me, have to stop the psychological violencethey inflict uponthemselves for failing to meet the criteria of stereotypical imagesconstantly surroundingthem- -images created by television. mov- ies, magazines....and dolls. [i