With the Post-Valentine’s Day feelings in there air, we tend to reflect on the couples in our lives. We model our relationships around the couples that we hold close to our heart, whether they are the hopeless romantics, such as Romeo and Juliet, or destined young lovers from Boy Meets World, Corey or Topanga. Regardless of if your “model” couple is real, like Mom and Dad, or fictional, we can’t help but hold our relationships to the same esteem that we hold these “golden” couples.
On my way back to Penn State last weekend, I was in New York City ready to catch my bus, when something else caught my eye. It was the day before Valentine’s Day and there was Ken’s face up on a billboard proclaiming his undeniable love: “Barbie, I want you back.”
Now, for those of you who don’t remember Mattel’s famous doll couple Barbie and Ken “broke up” 48 hours before Valentine’s day in 2004 after their 43 year long companionship. They threw around cliché terms such as that they “needing some time alone” and that they would “remain friends.” But within a couple of months Mattel released Blaine on the market, the hot, young, fun-loving surfer boy who became Ken’s new competition.
For some, this public break-up posed for fake toys might just be a silly marketing scheme Mattel created but to others the split was heart breaking. With divorce rates soaring to over 50%, the young public now has a completely different view of marriage. Is the Barbie and Ken saga adding to this divorce epidemic or is it harmless fun? If Ken and Barbie can’t make it as a couple, who can? I’m torn between two worlds, thinking that this childish mock break-up is just a publicity stunt or the fact that the rumors are tainting the image of fidelity and devotion.
I couldn’t help but laugh at Ken up on that big billboard. He seemed like such a sad soul, begging and groveling for Barbie’s attention, as she was off for 6 years with a much younger version of “Malibu Ken.”
I’m stuck between the two extremes to figure out what the actual rhetoric behind this relationship is saying. But until, I make up my mind, I might as well jump on the bandwagon! I’m rooting for Team Ken! I think Mattel should come up with a new lover in his life…preferably a brunette ;) Come on Ken, you can do better!
That's seems like a strange marketing scheme for a children's toy. It probably says something about how children are raised to look at the world these days.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it seems a little odd as to why they would market ideas about break-ups to kids. So, does this mean society wants our young kids to enter and exit relationships?
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