“I really like programming, but I’ll never be pretty enough to be a computer engineer.” Heather Rogers, like countless other 6-12 year old girls, is part of the next generation of victims in Mattel’s 50-year crusade against women in the workplace. When computer engineer was presented as a choice for Barbie’s next career in an online poll, misogynistic men quickly flocked to the site and easily achieved a landslide victory. Women, however, were widely disenfranchised due to their lack of computer skills and could not participate in the Internet voting.
Computer Engineer Barbie influences young boys, as well. Already record numbers of little boys have started learning BASIC in the misguided belief that they will someday meet hot computer engineering girls. The gender imbalance is bad now; thanks to Barbie, it will be even worse for the next generation.
Women are already fleeing the field in droves. “I was thinking of going to college to study computer science,” said Ashley Waters, a junior in high school. “I heard it was a great way to meet guys, but I had no idea computer engineering girls were so gorgeous. How can my lowly C-cups compete with all the other female engineers’ double Ds? What comp sci guy would touch my dark, silky smooth hair when Barbie’s is downright satiny?”
Decades of Barbies have shown girls they are too unattractive to pursue other careers as well. Astronaut Barbie, Business Executive Barbie, Firefighter Barbie, Ambassador Barbie, and Dentist Barbie have succeeded in repressing women for over half a century. To ensure its continued control over young women forever, Mattel is expected to release Barbie-Doll-Designer Barbie later this year.
– SL ’10
