Conclusion
Ruth Handler’s invention changed the toy industry and the lives of young girls. Today there are many different options that a young girl has regarding which adult doll they would like to play with, but when Barbie was introduced there was only Barbie. Barbie encouraged imagination and exposed young girls to different cultures throughout it product life. Barbie’s representing different cultures and skin tones offer young girls options to have a doll like themselves or one unlike themselves. Barbie could and can be whatever she wants to be offering young girls the opportunity to aspire to be like her, not her body shape, but her freedom and options. Ruth Handler, unknowingly, created a cultural icon.
