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Barbie just received a complete makeover, with 4 new body types and several skin tones. Now, men around the globe are clamoring for an updated and more realistic Ken doll that looks like an actual, albeit out of shape, man. Reactions to this reaction have been mixed, but TheMarySue chips in with this practical overview:
“Ken’s origin story is a little different from his girlfriend’s,” writes TheMarySue. “[he] was originally designed to resemble designer Ruth Handler’s husband…Yale University psychologist Kelly Brownell wrote in 2006 that most men would have ‘to increase 20 in. in height, 11 in. in the chest, and 7.9 in. in neck circumference’ to achieve Ken’s look.’”
What do you think? Should Ken receive the same treatment as Barbie?
More info: The Mary Sue (h/t: neatorama)
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“Most men would have ‘to increase 20 in. in height, 11 in. in the chest, and 7.9 in. in neck circumference’ to achieve Ken’s look'”
Image credits: Mattel / Will McFadden
The dad bod Ken is a response to the new curvy Barbie
What do you think about this trend?
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What do you think ?
DariaB 9 years ago
Actually, I thought about Ken too. But, please, don't make only chubby Ken to be the realistic one. Men vary on their shapes and sizes too.
JustAGirl 9 years ago
Yes, and make a colored Ken! I love Barbie's new change, but they still need a bit more diversity.
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BrutalSun 9 years ago
Honestly? This reeks of MRA trolling to me. I think Ken's proportions are fairly realistic compared to Barbie. Whoever says his proportions are unrealistic obviously was a moron holding a GI Joe instead of Ken. Most Ken dolls have a fairly skinny neck, and no six pack (Mattel has been using this lightly-toned body for Ken for almost two decades now). Ken still looks more realistic than curvy Barbie, who still has tiny pencil neck. Moreover, curvy Barbie still looks hot. She is not the equivalent to this Photoshopped dad bod Ken.
DariaB 9 years ago
Yeah, GI Joe, or Action Man. But I still welcome Kens' modifications simply for the sake of diversity, because diversity is the true realism. On the other hand, I agree these Barbie dolls could be made even more diverse by, for example, as you suggest, adding different neck lenghts. However, being curvy-ish with a Barbie-long neck myself, just wanna remind this is not that unrealistic, it's just one of the curvy versions somebody can look like. But let's not be too demanding from the start. It takes a lot of different mold to create such detailed variety, it's technically difficult to be realistic.
Load More Replies...
TomaszEnder 9 years ago
Yeah, they should change Ken too. Or else all the curvy barbies will be looking for a still perfect Ken who is, pretty rare really :D.
EvansBaker 9 years ago
Honestly, body images is a global concerns for any age and any gender. While society has put more emphasis on women, men are increasingly feeling the pressure to look "right". That's the real trend in society. So this is not a bad move to bring the issue to the surface in a more humorous way for us to think about an issue that has been needing attention for so long...
TeoHoble 9 years ago
I think it's amazing how men picked up this simple, positive thing, that has nothing to do with them... and they made it about them. I'm sorry to let you guys know but "curvy" Barbie has wide hips and a wide chest, but she's still rocking an hourglass figure. Whereas your "dad bod" Ken is just a beer-belly piece of lard. If you think these two are equivalent then you've got a problem.
DariaB 9 years ago
I'd disagree it has nothing to do with them, but I like the second part of this comment. They are surely no equivalent, and indeed it's a problem that some people think so. But now that opens new possibilities for an actually overweight Barbie and various kinds of Kens, in their various kinds of body shapes and sizes. How about an average healthy Ken that has skipped the gym to start with? Just a suggestion.
Load More Replies...
Diandra“MistressDidi”Blackthorn 9 years ago
This trend sux. While the original Barbie was a ridiculous standard of "womanhood," the chunky versions are NOT supportive of healthy lifestyles.
Talise Snyder 9 years ago
being slightly "chunky", as you put it, is not unhealthy! everyone has their own healthy weight and you can talk to your doctor and find out how to stay healthy in your own body
Load More Replies...
SapphireDolphin10 9 years ago
Love it! Except make them have acne, eczema, stuff like that and every person doesn't have perfect facial features(mouth, nose, etc.)
DariaB 9 years ago
Actually, I thought about Ken too. But, please, don't make only chubby Ken to be the realistic one. Men vary on their shapes and sizes too.
JustAGirl 9 years ago
Yes, and make a colored Ken! I love Barbie's new change, but they still need a bit more diversity.
Load More Replies... BrutalSun 9 years ago
Honestly? This reeks of MRA trolling to me. I think Ken's proportions are fairly realistic compared to Barbie. Whoever says his proportions are unrealistic obviously was a moron holding a GI Joe instead of Ken. Most Ken dolls have a fairly skinny neck, and no six pack (Mattel has been using this lightly-toned body for Ken for almost two decades now). Ken still looks more realistic than curvy Barbie, who still has tiny pencil neck. Moreover, curvy Barbie still looks hot. She is not the equivalent to this Photoshopped dad bod Ken.
DariaB 9 years ago
Yeah, GI Joe, or Action Man. But I still welcome Kens' modifications simply for the sake of diversity, because diversity is the true realism. On the other hand, I agree these Barbie dolls could be made even more diverse by, for example, as you suggest, adding different neck lenghts. However, being curvy-ish with a Barbie-long neck myself, just wanna remind this is not that unrealistic, it's just one of the curvy versions somebody can look like. But let's not be too demanding from the start. It takes a lot of different mold to create such detailed variety, it's technically difficult to be realistic.
Load More Replies... TomaszEnder 9 years ago
Yeah, they should change Ken too. Or else all the curvy barbies will be looking for a still perfect Ken who is, pretty rare really :D.
EvansBaker 9 years ago
Honestly, body images is a global concerns for any age and any gender. While society has put more emphasis on women, men are increasingly feeling the pressure to look "right". That's the real trend in society. So this is not a bad move to bring the issue to the surface in a more humorous way for us to think about an issue that has been needing attention for so long...
TeoHoble 9 years ago
I think it's amazing how men picked up this simple, positive thing, that has nothing to do with them... and they made it about them. I'm sorry to let you guys know but "curvy" Barbie has wide hips and a wide chest, but she's still rocking an hourglass figure. Whereas your "dad bod" Ken is just a beer-belly piece of lard. If you think these two are equivalent then you've got a problem.
DariaB 9 years ago
I'd disagree it has nothing to do with them, but I like the second part of this comment. They are surely no equivalent, and indeed it's a problem that some people think so. But now that opens new possibilities for an actually overweight Barbie and various kinds of Kens, in their various kinds of body shapes and sizes. How about an average healthy Ken that has skipped the gym to start with? Just a suggestion.
Load More Replies... Diandra“MistressDidi”Blackthorn 9 years ago
This trend sux. While the original Barbie was a ridiculous standard of "womanhood," the chunky versions are NOT supportive of healthy lifestyles.
Talise Snyder 9 years ago
being slightly "chunky", as you put it, is not unhealthy! everyone has their own healthy weight and you can talk to your doctor and find out how to stay healthy in your own body
Load More Replies... SapphireDolphin10 9 years ago
Love it! Except make them have acne, eczema, stuff like that and every person doesn't have perfect facial features(mouth, nose, etc.)
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