Tattoo Barbie: Is the 50 year-old having a midlife crisis?

March 14, 4:46 PMHealth Care ExaminerDoctor Lissa

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I read with interest that Barbie just turned 50.  Millions of young girls have had Barbies and her assorted friends, myself included.  And millions of girls have tried to copy her look for obvious reasons.  Some older women still try to copy her look, i.e. Pamela Anderson, although it may be time for her to find something new.

Still, Barbie ranks high on the list of toys for girls because, let's face it, to a child, she's cool. They want to look like her, wear her clothes and act like her.  Knowing this, I was stunned to find that parents can now find a new iteration of Barbie, one that surely makes a statement and is a sign of the times.  Tattoo Barbie.  But if you want one, they're sold out at Toys R Us.

The new “Totally Stylin Tattoos” Barbie has hit shelves just in time for spring.

Totally Stylin Tattoo Barbie comes with a set of tattoo stickers, which can be placed anywhere on her body.

The set also has a tattoo gun that’s similar to a water gun, so kids can stamp tattoos on her clothes and themselves. Oh, joy!

Mattel says the tattoos for kids are temporary and wash off.  At least until they get the real thing.

This is the second try for Mattel and the ‘Tattoo Barbie’ . They released “Butterfly Art Barbie” back in 1999. She was pulled from shelves after four months of being on the market do to a large amount of complaints by parents. Not so lucky this time. Why? Because parents are flocking to buy them and because Mattel says they have no plans to discontinue the doll saying she gives girls a chance to express themselves and be creative.

What's the problem you say? There are several. So let's take a look at tattoos and see why teaching millions of children that getting  a tattoo is not a good idea. 

So my question: is Barbie having a mid-life crisis or is she just trying to be relevant?  If your answer is relevant, then, "Girls, can you say infectious disease?"  Now that's relevant!