Anna Ensley

Is Barbie having a midlife crisis, or is she simply embracing the times?

The iconic doll, who celebrated her 50th birthday this year, is receiving a lot of backlash from parents who say her new look sets a bad example for young girls.

Totally Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie is part of Mattel’s spring Barbie line. Retailing for $20 and up, the doll comes with tattoo stickers that can be placed anywhere on her body.

She also comes with a tattoo stamper, so owners can stamp themselves with a girlish variety of temporary tattoos.

“One of the things (people) need to know is that Barbie is a fashionista,” said Bob Friedland, the senior public relations manger for Toys R Us. “She’s always in style, and she’s always showing current trends.”

Staff Photo by Patrick Smith
Mattel has recently released a new Barbie "Totally Stylin' Tattoo" Barbie that is currently a big seller.

Mr. Friedland said that parents who object to the new tattoo Barbie can simply choose a doll they find acceptable from Mattel’s huge collection of Barbies.

Chattanooga resident Dave Branham, 29, said he has no problem letting his 2-year-old daughter play with the doll.

“Mommy and Daddy have tattoos, and she knows people out there who have tattoos,” he said. “I think (the doll) is a dumb idea, but I would let her play with it.”

Tina Couch, director of Best Beginnings, a daycare near Northgate Mall, has an issue with Tattoo Barbie, but she said the decision to buy such a doll depends entirely on the parents and their beliefs.

“I probably would not purchase it as a gift for anyone or for my own child,” she said. “I think it probably will sell, but personally I wouldn’t purchase it. It wouldn’t be given as a gift, and I wouldn’t have one in my home. I wouldn’t allow my child to accept that gift either.”

Ms. Couch said she believes the main concern for toy companies is what’s going to sell.

“They’re there to make a dollar, too,” she said. “And so tattoos are the thing, they are ‘in’ now, and they’ve got Barbies with pierced ears, I’m pretty sure. I don’t know if there are any other Barbies with other piercings, but if not, that will probably be next.”

According to Mr. Friedland and other news accounts, the Totally Stylin’ Tattoo Barbie has been a hit, selling out in some retail locations.

“It just represents another culture,” said Anna Ensley, the curriculum coordinator and trainer at Best Beginnings. “I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m not upset about it either.”

Ms. Ensley said her main objection has to do with the doll’s tight, revealing wardrobe.

“I would be just as concerned about her miniskirt coming up to her thighs and her tube top as I would be of her tattoos,” she said.

Despite the controversy, Mattel representatives say there are no plans to discontinue the doll.