'Trans Barbie' gives girls new, unrealistic beauty standards to aspire to

Mattel, makers of Barbie dolls, have launched their latest aspirational doll of unrealistic physical proportions. The first transgender Barbie doll, based on actor Laverne Cox, a biological male who identifies as trans, is meant to show the importance of "acceptance at every age," says Mattel.

But just what is being accepted? And by whom? The launching of "trans" Barbie may give voice to activists who believe men and women are defined solely by their adherence to gender stereotypes, but it does nothing for little girls who should look forward to being grown women.

Executive VP Lisa McKnight reports she is thrilled about the doll, which will presumably be marketed to little girls unable to attain the "beauty" standards of men surgically altered to appear feminine.

The toymaker's execs "couldn't be more excited," McKnight said, according to The Telegraph.

"We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne's significant impact on culture with a tribute collection Barbie," she said.

Cox loves the idea too, and told The Telegraph "What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there's a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person."

Cox was very involved in the creation of the doll, which has shapely legs, bendable arms, and trademark Barbie hair.

"I can't wait for fans to find my doll on shelves and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modelled after a transgender person to their collection. I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career. The space of dreaming and manifesting is such a powerful source and leads you to achieve more than what you originally thought possible."

In Cox's case, this dream involved abandoning birth gender and embracing the accoutrements and affectations of the opposite sex. Mattel and Cox hope children can aspire to that fantasy as well.

Cox lamented to The Telegraph that as a child, Cox wanted to play with dolls but because Cox was "assigned male at birth," it was not allowed. Cox's therapist encouraged the actor to buy dolls as an adult, saying "It's never too late to have a happy childhood, and what you should do for your inner child is go out and buy yourself a Barbie doll."

In her early years in the 1960s and 70s, Barbie was considered an insult to feminism due to her unrealistic proportions which no woman can have without surgery and because of the gender stereotypes on which she is based. But feminists have tried to reclaim Barbie in recent years.  

From claims that Barbie is a "misjudged feminist icon" to why she "might be the most feminist doll around" many still say the "feminist makeover" isn't all it's cracked up to be.

The Laverne Cox trans Barbie indicates Mattel is doing the work to prove the doll is perhaps not for girls at all. After decades of trying to improve their image, introducing aspirational dolls like Doctor Barbie (she's a maternity doctor), Scientist Barbie (mini skirt and lab coat), and Astronaut Barbie (in a pink, cinched waist flight suit), Mattel has now launched biological male in women's clothing Barbie.  

Cox, who said "male privilege" was not something Cox experienced growing up because Cox's "gender was constantly policed," now embodies the aspirational plastic body that girl's have long aspired to. Only now, the reality that girls cannot attain this beauty standard is even more transparent.

Girls can never grow up to be biological males who are surgically altered to look like women. But for Mattel, and Cox, telling girls they ought to at least try is all part of the new progressivism that leaves girls and women systemically out.