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Video Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks Debates
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Video Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks Debates

Video Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks DebatesMom Celebrates Realistic Body Standards By Drawing Stretch Marks On BarbieMom Draws Stretch Marks On Daughter’s BarbieMom Shows Her Daughter That Stretch Marks Are Normal Using BarbieVideo Of Mom Drawing Stretch Marks On Barbie Goes ViralVideo Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks DebatesVideo Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks DebatesVideo Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks DebatesVideo Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks DebatesVideo Of Mom Drawing ‘Tiger Stripes’ On Barbie Sparks Debates
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Most little kids had a Barbie growing up. Mine was a princess and she had a white horse. I spent hours playing with her, imagining how one day I too would be a long-haired princess and have a horse named Sugar. Barbies represented the perfect world that, if we’re lucky, we will grow into. Mum Kate Claxton wanted to add a dash of reality to that fantasy world and show her daughter that even perfect Barbies have stretch marks and it’s completely normal.

More info: Instagram

Mom decided to show her daughter that stretch marks are normal using her toy

Image credits: reallyratherwild

Kate Claxton, an author of children’s books, is a mum to an adorable three-year-old girl. Wanting to raise a happy, confident adult, Kate is showing her that there are different bodies using Barbies, a toy her daughter is very fond of. In their home you’ll find Barbies with prosthetic legs, vitiligo, and some with fuller figures, just like women in real life.

“My three-year-old old daughter is really into her dolls at the moment and I try hard to give her a diverse and body-inclusive mix of Barbies,” Kate said.

However, she couldn’t find any dolls that had stretch marks. Kate herself has stretch marks and is very open with her daughter about what they are, where they come from and how beautiful her ‘tiger stripes’ are. So she decided to change it herself with a help of a little DIY.

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Image credits: reallyratherwild

Using nail varnish, Kate Claxton added stretch marks to the vet Barbie

Image credits: reallyratherwild

Using nail varnish, she added stretch marks to various parts of Vet Barbie’s body – hips, breasts, and belly – as a powerful message of body positivity.

Kate faced serious body image struggles when growing up, perpetuated by perfect models in the heavily photoshopped magazine pictures and diet culture. She doesn’t want her daughter to suffer from the same fate, so she is doing everything in her power to raise a confident girl who is not affected by unrealistic body standards.

As a gift to her daughter on her first birthday, she published a book, called “My Mum’s A Tiger”, which is all about body inclusivity and positivity. The book is aimed to teach young children that stretch marks are beautiful and completely normal parts of the human body.

Stretch marks on hips, belly and breasts – all of them are normal parts of a human body

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Image credits: reallyratherwild

When Kate shared the video of stretch mark Barbie, it quickly went viral. Parents were asking her how she drew stretch marks on her daughter’s toys, giving Claxton hope that she inspired a Barbie revolution.

When she shared a video of her stretch mark-adorned Barbie on social media, it really struck a chord with her followers.

The world is slowly moving in a positive direction. Mattel, the manufacturer of Barbie, has already made changes. They feature dolls of different professions, ethnicities, disabilities, and body types. Perhaps Claxton’s call for stretch marks will work as a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do.

Kate said she wanted to instill body positivity in her three-year-old daughter by showing her different bodies

Image credits: reallyratherwild

When asked how her daughter reacted to the ‘tiger stripes’, Kate said she was more interested in her doctor outfit. Her reaction further proves the point that children do not care about appearances and appreciate the diversity if it’s presented to them in a positive light from a young age.

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Image credits: reallyratherwild

Despite making changes to the famous doll to demonstrate more ‘normal’ bodies, Kate is still a big fan of Barbies. She is eagerly awaiting one of the most anticipated movies of this summer, which, of course, is about Barbie.

“I have a whole date planned out with a friend, we’re even going for a Barbie afternoon tea where the food is served in a Barbie wardrobe,” she says.

Not everything in the world is black and white. Sometimes it’s pink.

Image credits: reallyratherwild

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Barbie represents the ideal – immaculate hair, thin body type, tiny feet

Image credits: illaria (not the actual photo)

But is it time to move on from the ‘Barbie ideal’?

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Image credits: Arianne Caluar (not the actual photo)

In the ideal world, there should be no ideal body types. Everyone should strive to be the best version of themselves – well rested, hydrated and properly nourished. Unfortunately, body trends come and go – from tall and extremely skinny models in the early 2000s, to voluptuous curves of the 2010s. They add millions to the beauty, plastic surgeon and fashion industries, harming people of all ages.

So perhaps, this new generation of parents will lessen the negative impact. Teaching kids from a young age that there are different bodies and that all of them are beautiful will help them become more confident. Having inclusive toys like Barbies with stretch marks will aid in that, but let’s not forget that true acceptance and love for one’s body comes from a positive example from one’s parents.

So what do you think of this Barbie? Would you have wanted to have her as a child or do you think this mom’s actions are over the top? Share your opinion in the comments.

Watch the video here:

Some people in the comments praised the mom for her decision

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Others thought it was unnecessary

Image credits: www.facebook.com

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Margo Butautaite

Margo Butautaite

Author, BoredPanda staff

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Sometimes the world can be a dark place but you just how to know where to look for some good news. Hint: take a garner at my profile. I write about happy things like dogs, good teachers and inspiring elderly people.

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Margo Butautaite

Margo Butautaite

Author, BoredPanda staff

Sometimes the world can be a dark place but you just how to know where to look for some good news. Hint: take a garner at my profile. I write about happy things like dogs, good teachers and inspiring elderly people.

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Pink Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same but then again I've always had strong body image. I'm a teenager and I've accidentally stumbled upon a pro ana website and my mum is always telling me that I'll "get fat when I'm older, I can just tell", but I've never had any problems with body image.

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Feathered Dinosaur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not, let her put stretch marks or whatever else she likes on the doll. Representation is a good thing and worst case is the daughter doesn't want to play with that doll.

Malfar
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Can't agree with the representation bit. It doesn't have to be included everywhere, and it can actually spoil the product. I am a physically weak guy (genetic thing) with low eyesight. I like to play video games where protagonists are strong and see just fine and as a kid I definitely wouldn't play with a doll or an action figure portraying a nearsighted weakling just because "oh he is just like me I am so represented". I believe all those products like amputee dolls, wheelchair bound dolls, dolls with cancer etc etc are not helping. They are 1) leeching additional money and guilt-tripping people into buying them and 2) rubbing it in. Like "hey kid don't forget that life is not a f*****g game, there are stretch marks, cellulite, birth marks, acne and illnesses that make people look like this, yeah, you are not a princess or a superman, so stop fantasizing"

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Pink Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's unnecessary in my opinion. Like of course you're not doing any harm by adding stretch marks, it just doesn't seem worth the effort. Even when I was little I knew barbies weren't meant to be realistic and no one I know or anyone on the internet has been affected by barbies.

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Pink Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same but then again I've always had strong body image. I'm a teenager and I've accidentally stumbled upon a pro ana website and my mum is always telling me that I'll "get fat when I'm older, I can just tell", but I've never had any problems with body image.

Load More Replies...
Feathered Dinosaur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not, let her put stretch marks or whatever else she likes on the doll. Representation is a good thing and worst case is the daughter doesn't want to play with that doll.

Malfar
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Can't agree with the representation bit. It doesn't have to be included everywhere, and it can actually spoil the product. I am a physically weak guy (genetic thing) with low eyesight. I like to play video games where protagonists are strong and see just fine and as a kid I definitely wouldn't play with a doll or an action figure portraying a nearsighted weakling just because "oh he is just like me I am so represented". I believe all those products like amputee dolls, wheelchair bound dolls, dolls with cancer etc etc are not helping. They are 1) leeching additional money and guilt-tripping people into buying them and 2) rubbing it in. Like "hey kid don't forget that life is not a f*****g game, there are stretch marks, cellulite, birth marks, acne and illnesses that make people look like this, yeah, you are not a princess or a superman, so stop fantasizing"

Load More Replies...
Pink Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's unnecessary in my opinion. Like of course you're not doing any harm by adding stretch marks, it just doesn't seem worth the effort. Even when I was little I knew barbies weren't meant to be realistic and no one I know or anyone on the internet has been affected by barbies.

Load More Comments
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