Totally Stylin' Tatoo Barbie
We’ve all put temporary tattoos on our kiddos, and tattoos are main stream in this day in age, but how would you feel if your child was playing with a Barbie that comes complete with stick-on tattoos, and even a tattoo gun?
Mattel’s Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie has hit the shelves, and not very many parents are happy about it.
The tattoo gun can be used to stamp tattoos on skin and clothing.
The same thing happened in 1999 when Butterfly Art Barbie hit the shelves complete with her very own permanent tattoo on her belly. Parents were outraged. Although Mattel didn’t recall the Barbie, plans to include more of Barbie’s friends with tattoos and even nose rings were scrapped.
This time, parents are saying that the tattoo gun is taking the Barbie too far, and that there’s no reason for kiddos to be pretending to give each other tattoos for fear that life will imitate art. Totally Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie is a far cry from the Barbie we were introduced to the world 50 years ago.
Others have rave reviews of the Barbie because it showcases how different generations are now than they were before, and that tattoos are just part of the culture.The Barbies of the past played in their mansions, drove their cars, did hair, experimented with make-up, wore the latest styles, became surgeons, veterinarians, and even had children. One parent states, "Now she’s teaching our little girls how to apply tramp stamps. Next she’ll have her very own Barbie’s Hot Brothel. Way to go Mattel."
Barbie has long been both an icon and a controversy. Barbie has been blamed for girls with anorexia and bulemia, and has been condemned for teaching children that money and status are more important than internal happiness.
As always, it is up to the parents to choose the right toys for their children. Use your best judgment.
Comments
LOL I did a review on Butterfly Art Barbie in 2000 on epinions...this new one takes things EVEN further....It cracks me up what they are doing with these dolls but no, I wouldn't buy it for my little girl...I hadn't seen the tramp stamp close up yet. That's classic!
First of all, getting tattoos or being a tattoo artist is a far cry from prostitution. I get that you're upset by this toy, but that statement is really extreme and offensive.
Also, you chose that spot to put the tattoo to make it look as sleazy as possible. Do I think they should have a "Ken" tattoo available? No, that teaches the wrong ideals.
Though I am fine with the tattoo Barbie idea, I think they should have put more thought into what the tattoo images were. Name tattoos are a horrible idea, and make anyone, male or female, seem to be "owned" or "belonging to" another person.
I was interested in tattoos at a very young age, and I would have loved this. Am I a prostitute? No. I have a very good job in design. Every article I see about this Barbie acts that a tattoo is a death sentence for a good career. Maybe people should take a cue from my parents, who accepted my decision to get tattoos and believed in me, and my ability to get a good job no matter what I had on my body. Children should learn that they don't have to be one thing, or subscribe to one clearly defined lifestyle. They can express themselves and they can lead successful lives too.
I think that the tattoo barbie is a very great idea! me and my boyfriend bought his daughter one. My boyfriend is a tattoo artist. and I think that people ranting and raving over this doll saying that it exposes kids to tattoos and tramp stamps and etc. has gone to far and i take offense to it. I also think is discrimination against tattoo artist and people that have tattoo's I have 11 tattoos and am far far away from being a prostitute. My boyfriend being a tattoo artist is our way of living and I think that people should really stop. I mean they dont have to buy that barbie doll... is that the only thing in the store that offends them?? really if they dont' won't there children to have it then they don't have to buy it!
I think the idea of a tattoo Barbie is a very good idea. A lot of people believe tattoos too be a form of rebellion and slutty. Tattoos are a form of art and people get them to express themselves. I think the Ken tramp stamp is a bit much but it is just a doll. So what if kids buy one and think about tattoos? Its not like we all want our kids to look exactly like Barbie anyway. It is just a doll. And whether we accept it or not tattoos are starting to become apart of the American culture
First of all, let's all remember this is a TOY. We as parents teach our children values, not toys, tv, their friends, etc. WE DO. As for "The Barbies of the past played in their mansions, drove their cars, did hair, experimented with make-up, wore the latest styles, became surgeons, veterinarians, and even had children. Now she’s teaching our little girls how to apply tramp stamps" by this this logic it was fine when Barbie was teaching our children to be obsessed with fashion, money and being mommy but God forbid Barbie have a tattoo. We ALL know that every women who has a tattoo must be a prostitute and have a "tramp stamp". Maybe Stylin Tattoo Barbie could help those little girls whose parents like to prejudge people by their body art instead of their bank roll.
When I was younger, I played with an abundant amount of toys. I cannot recall ever thinking that I wanted to be like them or act like them for that matter. There is so much more to worry about than dolls. Yes, they're very, very, attractive- perfect basically, would you buy an unattractive doll for your little girl? Why don't we ask some kids if they now are inspired to have Ken tattoos? People learn as they grow, and learn a lot from their parents, why not be responsible and teach them instead of 'banning' an icon?
It's entertaining to me that they came up with this barbie, It's been my nick name for a while now. However I'm very amused people feel the way they do. To attempt to compare a tattoo to prostitution is beyond a far stretch. And the so called "good parents" who object to this toy yet use the phrase "TRAMP STAMP" say it all. You claim to teach your children values and yet you judge complete strangers and use hurtful phrases. You may not want your little girl to grow up and get tattoos but you shouldn't want them to grow up treating people badly based on their appearance either. It's called PARENTING people, if you don't want your child to have the toy then DON'T BUY IT! It's not like they're handing them out on the street. Maybe before you bash Mattel and accuse them of having no values as many articles have, you should review you own. Teach your child individuality, to express themselves in their OWN way. I'm very successful, have a great family and life, and yes, I have 10 tattoos
I dont understand the complaints of tattoo barbie. When I was little I used to put stickers on my barbies for tattoos. Its body art and it comes in many forms. If you dont like it then dont buy it, but dont sit there and complain that it should be yanked and destroyed because some of us actually think its cute and adorable. Yes i have tattoos, will be getting my 11th one on Monday, and yes my children want tattoos as well when they turn 18, but they have been taught that its not what you look like that matters. I will be going out and getting my daughter one of these barbies to add to her collection.
I don't think that just because the author quoted something that she thinks people with tattoos are bad.
Some parents are outrages, some are not. That's the facts.
"woah", the author edited this before you read it, but after the comments. The statement about brothels being next was not written as a quotation. Way to stand by your writing.
To To Woah:I am the author of this posting. Yes I did edit it because the quotation was taken out of context. Originally I said "parents are saying" instead of according to one parent and putting quotation marks around it. I never said that I was saying, or that what parents were saying is my opinion.
I understand this is a heated topic. I have tattoos, and I never said that I hadn't or wouldn't, or would for that fact, purchase this for my child(ren).
The article is news, and apparently it's a newsworthy topic, because people are not only stopping by, but stopping by more than once to notice that I did make a change.
The opinions of other parents are not my own, nor are the opinion of Examiner.com.
The issue isn't tattoos on Barbie, the issue is that parents are up in arms about it, and as the Portland Parenting Examiner, whenever parents feel strongly about something, it is in my domain.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone with tattoos. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone who is in love with Barbie. I'm not sorry that I've drawn traffic to my site, or written a newsworthy article.
Thank you all for stopping by, all of my faithful readers, and everyone who is brand new. You are the key to my success, and without you, I couldn't stay home with my four kiddos and be a mom. You all rock, even if we have to agree to disagree sometimes.
Thank you again,
Sunshine
Portland Parenting Examiner
P.S.
I am loving the comments, by the way, readers. It's good to hear from people and get their thoughts on the topics that I write about.
That's what makes this country great!!
:]
Arse Antlers.
Please all you people are entitled to your
opinion whether for or against Barbie and
her new tatoos. However, get a life. There
are more important things in raising a child
then freaking out over Barbie. Don't buy the
doll.
It looks to me the photo in this article on Barbie is showing the doll's back because I can see the place of manufacture (Indonesia). Is this tattoo at the base of the doll's back??? Does anyone realize this type of tattoo (in the the counter culture) is called a "kum catcher" and is, supposedly, an invitation to anal sex??? Do you really want little girls finding this out about their doll by some of their friends??? Let them be children for just a little bit longer you cruel people!!!!!!!
I used to play with Barbie growing up and what's more I have the same tattoo!
don't like it ??? don't buy it !!! don't try to force your holier than thou morals(?)on me !!!!!
People need to learn to relax. No one says you need to buy this particular Barbie. Everyone has different preferences.
Kansas Mike you are way off "tramp Stamp" yes kum katcher or suggestion to anal sex you are way off maybe in th 1800's it did
any way its a toy if you don't like it don't buy it simple as that based on some peoples analogy then those temporary tattoos from cracker jack should have caused everyone to have tattoos but it didn't
I like as it shows that Barbie is keeping up with current times
this is a port for pedophiles. Sex is all around the world. And cruel people are waiting to capture innocent children. This is straight from the pit of hell. Tatoos are not even safe if that in and of itself. Indonesia. Sure? A haven for these bastards to go buy kids. And no ... I have no children of my own.
Yes, it is a toy and big daddy big deal. Innocent children get hurt. That is what counts. Children get lured. It connotates genitalia. You people who say it is just a toy. Are selfish , ruthless, carnal, beastly, self centered, non contributors to society and have never lifted a finger to love on a nother individuals child. You are repulsive and you need the doll to learn a lesson from this suggestion. and stamp that with indonesia right where it counts.
It seems that everyone must be against tattoo's and expressing oneself. You know both my daughters and myself have tattoos but it doesn't make us bad people or bad parents. the parents that have a problem with it should learn to be more open minded and accept people for who they are and not what they look like, I know since my daughters (according to my family) don't look normal! But like i said doesn't make them bad people just different. I wouldn't have them any other way!
From what I understand, the doll doesn't come with a tramp stamp, it just comes with the option to put one on the doll. How many kids are going to go straight to that? If they do, I'm willing to bet that they also draw women with tramp stamps.
Way to go on the hot topic! LOL I had not heard of this Barbie.
I have no problems with people with tattoos. However, tattoos are not intended for children, which is Barbies intended audience. The "tramp stamp" part is irrelevant.
Personally, I would not buy this for my child, not because I don't put temp tatts on my kids, or I think they will become covered in tattoos when the grow up. Because right now they need to play as children. Learning how to make relationships, how people relate to each other, being an adult, those are important, tattos are not.
I am certainly not going to boycott Barbie over it, but I wouldn't buy it.
This toy is not being forced on anyone, child or otherwiese. If you don't want your child to play with this, don't buy it for them. Tis toy won't give kids the idea to "tatoo" each other. I had that idea as a child in the late 70s and early 80s and there were no toys around to give me that idea. I used permanent marker to draw on myself and others (it comes off in about 3 days) to make pretend tatoos. Finally, isn't it a little sexist that on a man it's just a tatoo but on a female it's a "tramp stamp" ?
hmm... I don't recall anyone asking us for permission to use our image... but that's okay. Look folks, the Barbie tramp stamp was created by a pair of little girls, ages 12 and 8 -- not Mattel. It was a family project to teach them about the free-market system they live in and to give them an education on running their own business, neither of which were taught in their schools. Instead of saying, "No, you can't have XYZ," we started saying, "Okay, you can have XYZ; first, tell us how you are going to pay for it." Together, we came up with dolltattoos.com.
That's a value millions of Americans should have been taught years ago, but apparently weren't. The results of that omission are plainly visible today. Even more have forgotten that being entrepreneurs is what this land of opportunity of ours is all about, especially, "when the going gets tough."
Eveyone I've seen who had a tramp stamp was a total whore, and any woman who denies that they have one to look sexually promiscuous and kinky is deluded.
The reason toys are bought for children in the first place are to stimulate the child's mind and to ignite their imagination. To provide them with accessories that solely defame the body, whether it be in the form of a flower or a boyfriend's name, is going to be reiterated by the child. Children draw on themselves all the time with magic marker but the difference is that they are promptly told by an authority figure to wash it off. Children then know that it isn't healthy for your body to have ink on it. So then why would we promote their toys, which stimulate their imaginations, to have ink on them? The "looser" we get as a society in upkeeping the morale, the "looser" our children become. But then again, I may just have higher expectations than most Americans. And I don't mean to criticize those with tattoos, but I am most certain that if you were to go to a job interview in a decent job setting, making a decent salary you would most likely cover the 'tats.
Thank god I have sons..*grin
Personally I love this new Barbie. 49% between the ages of 18 and 37 have tattoo's and I think its time that this Barbie represents those people.
I have read a lot of reviews about this doll, and one stuck out at me it was brilliant.
She mentioned that if you want to criticize these "tattoo" Barbies look at how Ken is portrayed. No job, surfer outfits, party outfits, and basically mooches off of Barbie and her successful job. That is a great way to show these younger girls what kind of men they should go for.
I think this is a perfect doll and it takes away the 'correct' way to live where you see Barbie looking perfect 24/7 her perfect body, life, career, and still is able to take care of Ken.
I have tattoo's and is no way a slut/ whore/ or a bad person. I am going to college and spend my time studying, I occasionally hang out with friends and watch movies, I eat dinner with my family, and carry a job on top of my life, who says being an individual makes you a bad person?
I hate to say it, but times have changed DRAMATICLY since most of you have been young. Take it from a child. Tattoos are more than just a trend, they are creating a whole new subculture. They aren't really that horrible, and Mattel is company that is tryinh to make money. If they just so happen to find something that is a good marketing tool don't condemn them for it! THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOBS! They can't caiter to everyone, and they shouldn't have to. If you dont want the product don't buy it. But the holier-than-thou attitude isn't needed.
the allegation that everyone with tattoos is some sort of thug comes across as extremely inappropriate and offensive. Winston Churchill had a tattoo - does that mean he should have been disqualified from Parliament!? Barbie is simply moving with the times, as should everybody else it seems.
Come on, it's not the doll's fault someone is selling it with a fake tattoo "gun" and fake tattoos. Mattel was doing what's in it's nature to do... business. It's not like they knew parents would have a problem with a doll that comes with stickers and a sticker placer. That's all it is. I remember having a few Barbie dolls in my life, and they have always had something across their backs. I remember a Barbie that had a button on it's back, a pucker on it's lips, and made a "kiss" sound when you pushed the button. No one had a problem with that one. Now a Barbie comes with stickers, and people can't stop fighting over the morality or lack thereof, depending on how you look at it.
What no one cares to see is that we all have our different moral standards, and one day, no matter what you do, your child will have different moral standards than you do. There are just too many choices out there. Why can't we just set the best example for our children as we can and stop bickering already?
I understand those that like tats like this doll. I have nothing against tats, my boyfriend has many. However, a tat is a mark that lasts a lifetime. Decisions like those should be made by adults. Thus, it seems we shouldn't have a doll that helps influence such decisions.
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