8 months ago
Mattel's latest addition to the Barbie family is striking up a lot of conversation for News 10 viewers. The new doll is known as "Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie."
She is fully equipped with sticker tattoos for herself and 40 temporary tattoos for kids. A small water-gun like "stamper" also comes with the doll for easy application of the temporary tattoos.
This is the second "Tattoo-Barbie" Mattel has launched. The first was back in 1999 and was called "Butterfly Art Barbie." She too came with tattoos for children and even had a large butterfly tattoo covering her mid-drift area. That doll was pulled from shelves after four months of being on the market do to a large amount of complaints by parents.
The new Tattoo Barbie is said to be selling very well. Target stores in Sacramento are sold out of the doll and Mattel has just released "Totally Stylin' Tattoo Nikki," Barbie's brunette counterpart.
Read what News10 viewers had to say about the new doll and weigh in on the conversation yourself:
As a mom of 5 daughters we have told them they need to wait until they are 18 to make that decision. For my part I just hate the thought of something so permanent, I am not the same person at 45 that I was at 20 let alone, 8, 10 or 12 years old. -Martha
I'm one that doesn't agree with the whole tattoo thing for more reasons than the stigma that is connected to them; in other countries they are really looked down on. But here in the U.S. we live in a much more liberal society. If I were a parent of a young girl preparing her to be a successful woman one day, I would surely censor the types of toys she would be playing with - this wouldn't be on the list. This falls in the category of the whole cowboy "gun' thing and violent video games. The good thing is, children don't just "get" toys, parents buy them. As far as the ad goes, I wouldn't be letting my child watch that channel... ultimately, parents are the one's responsible; children are exposed to many things that we as parents don't agree with. We really need to monitor what they are watching on television - commercials included. -Jeanine
Well I know Brittany would love it and I don't think I would have a problem with there being little sticker tattoo's for the doll and Brittany however; the tattoo gun is going too far. I would not buy it with that as part of the package. I agree that they are just putting too much out there for kids at such a young age. Just like the pregnant Barbie. None of these are proper for the age groups that like to play with them. If they are going to sell them it shouldn't be located with the normal barbies or should have some parental information attached but should not be put in plain view for the little girls that run through the store looking for a new Barbie doll. What happened to just the Holiday Barbie or just the basic Barbie doll. -Tara
What's next? "Totally Pierced Barbie Girl" with piercing gun and simulated diamond studs for ears, nose, eyebrows, lips or belly button! She can even have her tongue pierced. Be sure to look for "Totally Huge Earlobes Ken", with stretchable earlobes to insert large rings and other jewelry! -Marty
This is ridiculous! I, as you know, have no tattoos but am not in any way against them. However, I think it is absolutely appalling that Mattel is marketing a Barbie aimed at young girls which essentially endorses the idea of getting tattoos! It is the right of any adult to get a tattoo if they choose when they are grown up enough to make that decision. This Barbie is basically telling young girls with impressionable minds that having a tattoo is the cool thing to do. Ava will definitely not be playing with this Barbie!! -Jen
Tattoos are not a fashion statement of what is currently in vogue - they are a forever statement as they do not come off! The marketing of Tattoos to little girls through Barbie is not appropriate or a cool thing to do. Tattoos are not subject matter for little ones who play with toy dolls. I would not buy this for my eight year old granddaughter. I will stick with My Little Pony (with no tattoos) thank you for asking. -Lynette
Good God, no. It's bad enough that she's 6 feet tall with a 16 inch waistline. Now this? I'm with you... keep her the unrealistic version of female humanity that we've come to adore. Next thing you know they'll have "muffin top" Barbie! -Stacy
Two thumbs down! -Jim
There are shows and shows about tattooing and the people that get and give them. Most celebrities and athletes on tv have them. What do you people really expect? Shouldn`t the alternative kids get a barbie? -Billy
Why should the tattoo Barbie be any more or less derogatory than the mini skirt she wears or the cleavage she shows? I don't see this to be any different than the piercing booth in the ball that is aimed at young kids. Or giving a girl an Easy bake oven, or two girls playing make -up. Mattel isn't out to change culture or society, it is a merely showing a reflection of current trends. Judging from what is out at schools these days, a tattooed Barbie seems mild.... -Sven
I think it is irresponsible to place a judgment on a barbie, what does that teach people, to place judgments on people with tattoos. Having beautiful art work on your body , or any way that you look does not mean that you are a good bad ,ugly or irresponsible person. I myself don't have tattoos, but I will go buy this for my daughter, I want her to learn to embrace all differences in all people and what makes each one unique. -Chad
I think it's terrible that our "little" girls are not allowed to be "little girls" anymore. The innocence is gone. The thought of having my granddaughters playing with tattoo dolls is unacceptable. What kind of messages are we sending our little girls? Then everyone wonders what's wrong with our kids today. We, "society" allow all this so called freedom and expression, then wonder why are they so wild and/or disrespectful? What are we teaching our daughters and granddaughters? Tattoos on dolls, play credit cards and cell phones....... what's next, a doll having a baby? Let our little girls be little girls. They grow up fast enough as it is. Whatever happened to the plain baby dolls we used to have? We were allowed to use our imaginations, not have things thrown at us at a very young age. I think they should pull the doll from the market and I hope more parents feel the same. -Debbie
It is amazing to see how shallow most of these comments are about little girls playing with a tattooed Barbie. It sounds as if most if not all of these people do let their children play with Barbie, that being said, playing with a tattooed Barbie is NO different than playing with the original (of which teaches children they have to be a certain size and shape to be accepted). People need to look past the tattoo and body images and let children be children, allowing them to see and experience the major differences in society and people! Tattoos are a form of self expression. It does not matter if they are tattooed or not, most kids see the dolls as dolls, not sizes, shapes, make up etc... Parents put those thoughts into their own heads, not the kids! -Mike and Nicole
Our world is full of choices. As parents, we need to instill what the "good choices" are in our own children based on our own values. This new Barbie may open an opportunity to talk and teach our children something about the differences and variety that will be presented to us during our lives. I'm not saying whether this toy is good or bad. I'm saying it's just another choice out there. Fortunately we have those free choices in this country. -Robin
People seem to have a very narrow definition of what feminine is. I wouldn't worry about my daughter wanting this doll. Even if she did request a tattoo I am the parent and it's my decision until the child is of an appropriate age to choose for herself. If I decide she has to wait until she's 18...I am the parent! It's a cute little pink butterfly and poses no moral harm to little girls. People have tattoos and it's no big deal, really! Just let them make the decisions for themselves when they're old enough. And get over the fear of telling their child no! -Cheri
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