Barbie Doll

Many people think that media influences, peer pressure, and social norms are only targeted towards women or girls but this is not true. Males are victims of this as well. In the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, the effects that social norms and peer pressure on a young girl and evident. She is teased for her physical appearance when underneath she may be just as good as or better than those teasing her may be. If I were to re-write this poem to reflect experiences of a young man I would gear it toward the idea that many people limit the effects of peer pressure, social norms, and media influences to females but males also struggle with these things as well. The Barbie Doll is not the only one looking perfect, the ken doll also provides an unrealistic role model for males.