| Did you know that the Barbie dolls launched way | | | | Or could it be something far more deep seated |
| back in 1959? Since then they have sold over | | | | and dark? Action Man comes with a range of |
| three billion dolls to date. That's a lot of Barbie in | | | | related figurines - all male, and built with muscles |
| the world - one between two for every single | | | | so big one wonders how they ever manage to |
| man, woman and child living on planet Earth at this | | | | bend their arm to scratch their head with all that |
| moment. Every single person in the UK could have | | | | flesh in the way. Ken, on the other hand, comes |
| fifty of them if they wanted. In fact, if we took | | | | with Barbie. An allegedly cute girl with an |
| every Barbie doll that had rolled out of the | | | | impossible figure, a range of accessories and |
| factory since their inception, they would stretch | | | | posable arms and legs. Someone worked out a |
| right around the globe not once, not twice, but a | | | | while back that if Barbie was real, she'd actually |
| full three and a half times. They seem to be | | | | have a job walking and would probably need a |
| popular. | | | | wheel chair. So, this image problem we have with |
| Quite why this particular doll should have proved | | | | Ken, could it simply be that, dare I suggest it, he |
| so popular is hard to say - perhaps it's the | | | | has a girlfriend? |
| absurdly idealistic glamour, the accessories, or | | | | What right-minded boy would spare a second |
| simply the fact that you aren't deemed to be a | | | | glance to someone who has time for a girl? |
| proper girl if you didn't at least have one Barbie | | | | There's a world out there to save. A world of |
| doll during your formative years. | | | | muscle and blood, spaceships and evil warlords |
| Interestingly, the Ken dolls, Barbie's partner, have | | | | with guns that fire sponge darts at least three |
| proved just as popular, and yet still only with girls. | | | | feet. To own a Ken is to accept that girls are |
| Boys are still keen on the Action Man figurines, | | | | almost equal to boys, and what young boy would |
| but Ken seems to have been left on the shelf as | | | | ever wish to be associated with such a concept? |
| far as boys are concerned. Is this an image | | | | Gender stereotyping? Nothing changes that much, |
| problem that Ken seems to have? | | | | does it? Of course, the question about where |
| What exactly is it that makes Action Man a | | | | these gender concepts and assumptions come |
| popular boys' toy, and Ken a definite no go area. | | | | from is another matter. Possibly they are |
| Giving a boy a Ken doll would not be received | | | | encouraged by family, or by their friends. Books, |
| with grateful thanks. Maybe it's the fact that Ken | | | | television and even the style of toys advertised, |
| doesn't come with a range of gadgets designed | | | | and the way they are advertised, can all play a |
| to obliterate the enemy. Instead, he comes with a | | | | part. At least we know one thing. All boys will |
| smart sports jacket. Possibly it is because Ken | | | | eventually learn a hard lesson. Defeating an evil |
| doesn't come with an all terrain land vehicle with | | | | warlord, conquering the empire and saving the |
| side cannons and laser rifles. He comes with a | | | | planet is easy. Understanding girls? Now the |
| neat little sports car with a roll down top. | | | | challenge begins! |