Tattooed Barbie: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

April 30, 2009

Some mothers ban Barbie because they believe the toy sets an unrealistic standard of beauty for their daughters to live up to . . . not to mention the buxom blonde's feet aren't firmly planted on the ground. But to celebrate the beloved doll's 50th anniversary, Mattel has a new version out on the market that plays into pop culture — Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie ($20). Lil ladies can use the tat gun to position a variety of body art pieces — including a "tramp stamp" with Ken's name — on Barbie's plastic bod. What's your opinion of this product?

27 Comments

Shelene2484204 1 year 8 weeks

I posted before, but I would like to say that "TRAMP STAMP" should NOT be used in the selling of this doll! I am 36 years old and just now heard of that saying! Not cool! I can just see little girls pointing to women or men with tat's saying...."LOOK, THEY HAVE TRAMP STAMPS!!!" Call me old fashion, but TRAMP should NOT be used in any way when talking about a toy!

Shelene2484204 1 year 8 weeks

Children get stick-on tats all the time! They get them at Fairs, Carnivals, and many other events. I DO NOT see this Barbie as a BIG DEAL! It is just fun for a little girl to have different things to do with their favorite doll!

pinkpeonygirl 3 years 47 weeks

I think it may be a good start if we, women, stop using the term "tramp stamp" all together. I have no idea who first initiated this vulgar, discriminating phrase, but if we all keep using it, we agree to its use. As you might have guessed I have indeed a tattoo on my lover back ( a simple Latin phrase that translates as "love is the essence of life") and by no means I feel, look or act like a "tramp".

nevadamtnbear 4 years 3 weeks

I didn't 100% agree with either choice, but I ended up say "kid friendly." I don't really love the Barbie, but I don't also have an issue with the temporary tattoo thing either. And, Mattel has been exploiting Pop culture since its inception. I am really struggling with the multiple comments about the temp tats and such. We had a nanny who has TONS of tattoo's and our son was always so curious about her tattoos, he would always draw on himself and when we asked why he would his response was because L (our nanny) had pictures all over her arms and legs. LOL. I don't see this Barbie any different than us having a nanny with exposed and colorful tattoos. We didn't not hire her because of the tattoos, and if my daughter wanted this Barbie (likely for the same reasons expressed Anna), I would probably purchase it. It's an opportunity for parent/child interaction about "pretend," "permanency," and other life's lessons. Ohh, and for the record, neither my husband or I have any tattoos.

Anna Rowley 4 years 3 weeks

If anybody's child knows what a "tramp stamp" is, then the child is way too old for a Barbie doll. I checked the stickers and "fake tattoos" that came in the box and there is NOTHING with Ken's name on it. And I have the Barbie here and there is NO tattoo of Ken anywhere on her body. FYI. I think I bought this doll when it first came out. I respect everyone's opinion, but I am giving the facts because the Barbie doll is sitting here in front of me.

staple salad 4 years 3 weeks

I'm all for tattoos and am getting my first one in under a week. But I don't think I'd consider them kid-appropreate. The last thing we want to do is teach children to get potentially slutty tattoos like tramp stamps, tattoo their boyfriend/girlfriend's name on them, or get spur-of-the-moment and not thought-out tattoos that will be permanently stuck under their skin. Tattoos are awesome, but not something to market toward anyone under 20 years old.

MissSushi 4 years 3 weeks

and as an add on.. if there are no standards and its always up to the parent, pretty soon there wont BE choices, espeically not at prices for the average joe. All you will have to pick from is what theyre producing, unless you can manufacture clothing and toys in your basement..

MissSushi 4 years 3 weeks

I kind of dont always agree wiht that statement.. It IS mattels responsibility, and all companies who produce products for children to adhere to principles of whats appropriate.. If they didnt, can you imagine the kind of products we would have? We already toe the line with shirts and bras and clothing for preteens that say sexy adult phrases, but if they were free to market however they wanted we would have alot more products like that stripper pole from awhile back. While I realize that everyones idea of appropriate differs immensely, there DO need to be standards for items produced even though we get close to having regulations and such. Its a difficult situation.

MrsRachel 4 years 3 weeks

I think that it might be a bit much...but it is the parent's responsibility to make sure that they approve of the things their children are playing with, not Mattel's (or anyone else, for that matter!).

Anna Rowley 4 years 3 weeks

Pinkprincess1, my comment was not aimed at you or anybody else. (I didn't even read your whole comment before I commented.) That's why I only spoke of myself and my daughter. I apologize if my opinion offended anyone.

4 years 3 weeks

I agree that it's not appropriate. A child may have a parent that has a beer or two a few times a week, doesn't mean I need a doll with a six-pack of Coors to make things more familiar.

pinkprincess1101 4 years 3 weeks

BTW, I don't think it robs them of their innoncence. I personally just don't like them.

pinkprincess1101 4 years 3 weeks

BTW, I don't it robs their innoncence. I personally just don't like them.

pinkprincess1101 4 years 3 weeks

If those comments are aimed at me, I do actually teach my kids what pretend play is I just think certain things are crossing the lines, what happened to creativity? All parents are different, no one is better than the other, I allow my kids on occasion to have breakfast for dinner, some parents may think that is wrong. Doesn't make them better.And, I hope no one is allowing a plastic doll or celebrities to teach or role model for their children.

Anna Rowley 4 years 3 weeks

I bought this for my daughter. She's not even three yet and picked it off the shelf and liked it because,....get this... it was barbie with butterflies and "happies" (that's what she calls hearts). The last time I checked she was still beaming of innocence and it's been about a month since I bought it for her. Also, I am one of those parents that is constantly conversing with my child about things like pretend play, right from wrong, and everything a parent should be talking to their children about. Besides, no PLASTIC doll is going to tell my child that she should get a tattoo...

MissSushi 4 years 3 weeks

lol.. well as my aunt used to say, "Katrina has PIERCINGS now.. its obvious shes doing drugs and other such things.."

lickety split 4 years 3 weeks

tatoo = loss of innocence. who knew?

pinkprincess1101 4 years 3 weeks

I agree caterpillar, I bugs the crap out of me when I see children with those fake tattoos, I don't think it looks cute at all. My children are not allowed to play with toy guns of any sort (even water guns), and fake tattoos. To me personally it sends the wrong message, no matter how much you educate them and yourself. I guess I get this from my mother.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 3 weeks

I wouldnt buy it for my child, it sends the wrong message and frankly its a desperate attempt on Mattels part to play into popular culture while robbing kids of their innocence.

bluepuppybites 4 years 3 weeks

I agree with the fact that it may help with a girl's curiousity for tattoos, but you're right missSushi, tattoos are a well for the most part a lifetime thing. I didn't put much thought into the first ones that I got and now well I'm stuck with them, I have to save to get them removed.

kikidawn 4 years 3 weeks

I totally agree with meandtheo

MissSushi 4 years 3 weeks

lol, I kinda like it, but i wouldnt buy it, and im totally pro tattoos and piercings. I agree that it would be better if it emulated fake tattoos. I LOVE tattoos, but they are definitely an adult thing. I just feel like this makes it too easy and acceptable to young girls, which in turn may end up with them not putting as much thought, time, and emotion into their tattoos. It's not like a piercing that you can take out, tattoos are serious business, both expensive and life time.

meandtheo 4 years 3 weeks

i think everyone is different...and therefore it would be nice if we had more "dolls" or playthings that represented all the different types of people there are in the world. some children may have a mom or dad that is covered in tattoos and having a doll that can emulate their own parents is always nice...so i really don't see a problem with it. (for the record i have three tattoos)

jessie 4 years 3 weeks

:rotfl: ya know...coming from person who has 10 tattoos...i do think this a little too much for kids. barbie is a classic...they seem to be modernizing her way too much. JMO

ikimashokie 4 years 3 weeks

I've been meaning to get this to go with the mid-90s tattoo barbie that raised a ton of stink and then got pulled. I'm surprised there hasn't been stink over tramp-stamp tattoo gun barbie.

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