Magda K.
I. Citation
“Iran calls for ban on Barbie doll”
BBC NEWS
4/28/08
Article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7371771.stm
Culture
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/hijab_1.shtml
II. Summary
Iran supplies many popular toys from the West, but now it’s starting to change. They believe that Barbie dolls aren’t appropriate for young children because they wear ‘short’ outfits, unlike Iranian women who have to cover their whole bodies from head to toe. They feel these dolls bring a negative influence to all women and children of their culture. They are putting a ban to Barbie dolls and other products from the West as well.
III. Reactions
1) This article relates to the AP World History theme: Impact of interaction among and within major societies. This is because other countries are showing Iran their cultures. Apparently, Iran feels it is threatening their country because Barbie dolls show too much exposure.
2) Iranian women wear clothes from head to toe, showing no skin. This is very religious and people still dress like this today. They have to wear a hijab when going in public from place to place.
3) The person who wrote this article is a BBC reporter who is an outsider on the issue. Iran’s government is reporting it though and they are the insiders in this matter.
4) Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi says, “The irregular importation of such toys, which unfortunately arrive through unofficial sources and smuggling, is destructive culturally and a social danger.” He is saying that products from the West are vicious to their culture when dolls are really harmless toys.
5) In this article, a child’s point of view is missing. I would want to hear from an Iranian kid on this matter. I want to know if the government really thinks that children would be damaged from these dolls or that they want to cut off contact with the West.
6) When I saw this article, I thought it was hilarious how Iranians believed that silly Barbie dolls could corrupt a child’s mind. It’s just a toy kids play with everyday. There’s nothing bad about it honestly.
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4 comments:
this article is unbelieveable! im not ashamed to say that i myself have had barbie dolls. children should be allowed to play with them they arent harmful (unless thrown ;]) and i really dont think they will corupt the minds of the children. they could get more conservative clothing for the dolls but not ban them.
i think that banning a child's toy is a little crazy, but it DOES give a negative influence to children based on the Iranian belief system. short clothes are not what women are allowed to wear in Iran. the government probably doesn't want millions of children to begin free-thinking.
I do agree that the toys may influence the children in having thoughts of wearing shorter clothing because they want to be like their doll. But, i think there are alternatives to banning dolls. For example, Michelle talked about the idea of using conservitive clothing. I think creating a clothing line for the dolls that the government agrees with would be a good alternative. This way, the kids can have fun and the government can be happy.
I think banning toys is a little over the top. There are plenty of different things that influence kids besides toys. Also besides you can dress barbies with dresses so just don't sell "short outfits" with the barbies. How would a kd feel with no toys, Barbies aren't that influential in anyones life anyway.
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