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Home › Entertainment

Entertainment | 03/04/2009 10:55 am

West Virginia Lawmaker Jeff Eldridge Seeks Barbie Ban

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

Now that she’s turning 50, Barbie may find herself an outlaw in West Virginia!

Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge proposed a bill Tuesday that would ban the iconic doll and all of her plastic clones. The measure, creatively entitled the "Barbie Ban Bill," claims such toys perpetuate unhealthy, unrealistic stereotypes for young girls and women: "I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful, and you don’t have to be smart."

While Eldridge knows most lawmakers won’t sign on, he’s happy to go it alone: "I knew a lot of people were going to joke about it and poke fun at me. I couldn’t get anybody to sign on the bill with me but I said I’m still going to introduce it."

Manufacturer Mattel had no comment. Barbie was also too busy to reply: She’s been planning a party for her birthday, which is March 9.

Read more about: Barbie, Jeff Eldridge, Mattel, News, West Virginia

65 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Patty E
TOTally agree!  But, this new fou-fou about Barbie will jack up the sale price on my vintage Barbies that I just pulled out of the basement! Just in time for the Spring flea markets!
By Patty E on 03/04/2009 12:01 pm
Linda Tubbs
A barbie doesn’t give a child a self image - parents do.  If parent’s are doing their job children would have healthy egos.  They wouldn’t need a barbie to tell them what they are supposed to look like.  There are people of all shapes and sizes in the world.  Teach your children properly to respect everyone.  A person can look beautiful like a barbie and still have brains.  Not all people with brains look like barbies.  I think there are more important issues that should concern you instead of worrying about toys!!
By Linda Tubbs on 03/04/2009 11:50 am
Green Tears
Barbie is a part of American culture. Her proportions are humanly unattainable and no woman’s foot will ever be ‘high heel ready’ at all times like Barbie’s, but she supplies lots of opportunity for little girls to have great ‘make believe’ time.
By Green Tears on 03/04/2009 12:27 pm
Valerie Maigue
Barbie is an Icon, after more than 50 years, this is what we’re going to decide? BAN Hannah Montanah for crying out loud - she’s the one whose a brunette, who puts on a blonde wig pretending to be someone she isn’t - now what kind of message does that send little girls? But really, parenting starts at home with parents. Not to mention, Barbie has changed over the years - she’s a teacher, a doctor, an astronaut, a veterenarian .. it allows girls to dream big! Can’t the congressman come up with somethinga a lot more important???
By Valerie Maigue on 03/04/2009 12:41 pm
Green Tears
I don’t know why that happens, but I remember my older sister telling me that it didn’t matter which ones you bought or how many outfits because all you ever end up with is a storage bin full of naked Barbies!
By Green Tears on 03/04/2009 5:03 pm
Republican 4Life
Mr Steve!  You’re back! I was missing you dreadfully.  I was commenting on another thread about your marked resemblance to our dear Mr. Rush, but for some reason, my post was deleted.  You even both look equally well in your black shirts!
By Republican 4Life on 03/05/2009 12:11 am
eleanor roche
Gee R4L, I’d wish you’d make up your mind which "team" you want to play for.
By eleanor roche on 03/05/2009 7:41 am
Republican 4Life

Miss Eleanor, I ALWAYS play for the righteous Christian conservative capitalist Republican team. Why would anyone not want to play on the winning team?!

By Republican 4Life on 03/05/2009 3:45 pm
Agyness O

Can’t you tell she loves "the Boss".

By Agyness O on 03/05/2009 7:15 pm
eleanor roche
WoW, the level of maturity from the "garden gang" has really elevated! I guess it was the earnest talk about civility you all had on the "comments of the week" thread. You must all be quite apoplectic about Wow’s response to your pleas if you have to slide into the psychotic abyss with Suzanne….I mean R4L. That’s OK I’m sure no one will cast dispersions on your new identities. Besides I rather like your more "attractive" personality.
By eleanor roche on 03/07/2009 10:01 am
Sally K
I was not aware that West Virginia was so very well off that the Delegates had time to concern themselves with children’s toys.  Gee, maybe I’ll relocate there.  Apparently, they have no unemployment, housing,  or banking issues there. 
By Sally K on 03/04/2009 1:18 pm
RC Forman
Jeff, honey, it isn’t Barbie who distorts a girl’s or woman’s image - iit’s men(boys.)  Drop this nonsense ‘cause Barbie’s way out of your league.
By RC Forman on 03/04/2009 3:26 pm
shirley adams
i think Jeff Eldridge needs a new job, he need to focus on keeping our food safe. barbie been around for 50 years, who has she made sick?? is he going to band all the new york and Paris models too?
By shirley adams on 03/04/2009 3:44 pm
Lizzie R.
My daughter had a Barbie when she was a little girl and now she’s a hooker - sigh. Knew no good would come of it.
By Lizzie R. on 03/04/2009 5:57 pm
Steve Douglass
Better that she’s a hooker than a lawyer. At least being a hooker is more honorable than a lawyer.
By Steve Douglass on 03/05/2009 12:21 am
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