Product Opportunity?
Ken Sean Carlson. He is the object of Poppyseed’s desire. At least as far as her make-believe world is concerned.
Over a year ago, Poppyseed added a “boy Barbie” to her wish list, saying, “I need my very first boy Barbie because when the other Barbies say ‘help,’ who is going to save them? That’s why. That’s how it goes in princess stories.”
Well, Tante PepGiraffe came through this Chanukah and Poppyseed’s eyes were all aglow as she beheld her “very first boy Barbie.”
He’s so hot!
Yes, my seven-year-old daughter is actually a teenager shoved into a tiny, lithe body.
FrumeSarah: Do you even know what that means?
Poppyseed: Yes. I figured out that it means ‘really, really cute.’
But “really cute” is in the eye of the beholder. For the first time, I understood why ethnic dolls are important. They reinforce ethnic and cultural identity. I look at Ken and am left cold.
Where is the dark haired, glasses-wearing, kippah-toting fashion doll??
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
Frume Sarah's World 
Um,
This is the part that bothers me:
“I need my very first boy Barbie because when the other Barbies say ‘help,’ who is going to save them? That’s why. That’s how it goes in princess stories.”
Not only do they “reinforce ethnic and cultural identity”, but gender roles as well. But what should I expect from Barbie in the first place?
Yeah, I figured that would be the bothersome point for some.
I’m a throw-back to a different era. I still like the romantic fairy tales of my youth and the idealized fantasy of being saves by the charming prince. I think I am living proof that liking those stories has in no way affected my strength and fortitude as an independent, free-thinking woman.
That is NOT what Poppyseed told me. She said that she wanted a boy Barbie so that Beernut would play Barbies with her. I bet they are both true.
Anyway, the first Ken I picked out, while still white, did have brown hair. It was one of the Fashionista Kens, but I was so bothered by the hairstyle that I couldn’t bring myself to actually buy it. And there were only four different Kens available where I went, probably since I was in Vermont. Anyway, I certainly wouldn’t expect Mattel to make a doll that caters to .22% of the world population. The real question is why there aren’t more Asian Ken dolls.
Yes, both true.
Re: Beernut. If by “play Barbies with her” you mean Ken is “Mario” and Barbie is “Princess Peach,” then yes, he is “playing Barbies with her.”
Gotta love Aspergers.
you asked for it….
http://www.theknish.com/articles/mattel-announces-new-jewish-barbie-line/
Not exactly what I had in mind…but interesting. 😉