Often times when we think about the time period between the 1960s and the 1980s the first thing that comes to mind is the civil rights movement spearheaded by the minority citizens of the United States. It is for this reason that the second-wave feminist movement is often overlooked. The second-wave feminist movement influenced many female authors and poets of the mid-twentieth century and led to the creation of numerous books, anthologies, and publications that advocated for women's rights. "Barbie Doll" was published in 1973 by Marge Piercy as part of her book of poetry entitled, To Be of Use. Piercy most likely wrote this poem as a response to the second-wave feminist movement through which she was living; however, this poem can also be seen as raising questions about the gender stereotypes and societal expectations for girls which can still be seen in today's society. 

The second-wave feminist movement, in contrast with the first-wave feminist movement, was seen as a class struggle. Women of all races and socio-economic status formed a united front against their one oppressor, men. They were able to spread the message and ideas through the formation of different organizations who distributed different types of literature and held demonstrations. One such radical organization was the Redstockings. "The Redstockings Manifesto" was published on July 7, 1969 as part of an anthology called Sisterhood Is Powerful. The anthology contained various feminist essays, sexist quotes, historical documents, and excerpts. "The Redstockings Manifesto" clearly defines the reasons behind why these women were protesting, gives evidence to back up their claims, and outlines their objectives. Reading this manifesto provides a context with which the reader is able to better analyze Piercy's poem. 

Piercy's poem starts out by identifying the innocence to which little girls are born into; however, the mood quickly shifts in line five. It reads, "then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said: You have a great big nose and fat legs." This classmate, presumably a male, is quick to objectify and demean the protagonist. This was very common in the treatment of women during the mid-twentieth century. Women were supposed to keep up their appearance and be seen, not heard. "The Redstockings Manifesto" refers to this exploitation saying that women were seen "as sex objects, breeders, domestic servants, and cheap labor.  [They were] considered inferior beings, whose only purpose (was) to enhance men's lives.  [Their] humanity (was) denied." 

"Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said. Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending." This line alludes to the fact that women will never be able to fulfill the wants of men. They will never reach the standard of perfection to which they are held. Therefore, they cannot attain happiness until the constant pressure of attaining these standards is removed when they can rest in eternal peace.

The speaker of the poem goes on to talk about the standards to which women of the time were kept in lines such as, "she was advised to play coy, exhorted to come on hearty, exercise, diet, smile, and wheedle." Women were expected to follow these outrageous, unwritten rules and held to them by society, a society dominated by men. Women were kept blind to the fact that their own personal struggles were shared by so many other women around the country. They were led to believe that it was only them that felt this way and instead of speaking out and fighting for their freedoms that they should stick to what they were good at, caring for children and making a home. "The Redstockings Manifesto" mentions this oppression in the line, "we have been kept from seeing our personal suffering as a political condition."

At the end of the third stanza of the poem, "Barbie Doll," the protagonist cuts off her nose and legs and offers them up. The speaker describes her saying, "her good nature wore out like a fan belt." This line contains strong imagery. When a fan belt wears out, it snaps. The same could be said for the woman in this poem. She could no longer put  up with  the stress placed on her by society, so  she snapped. This line can also be seen as symbolic of was happening to women during that time. They had become so sick of the constant put downs and failure to meet societal expectations that they could no longer just do nothing. Women, however, realized that it was not they themselves that needed to be altered, it was men.  This realization is evident in "The Redstockings Manifesto." "Women's submission is not the result of brain-washing, stupidity or mental illness but of continual, daily pressure from men.  We do not need to change ourselves, but to change men." 

How far have we really come since the second-wave of feminism? Even though it was decades ago that women started to protest gender stereotypes and societal expectations, we can still see instances of these in our society today. The first line of "Barbie Doll" starts out by referring to the protagonist as "girlchild." It gives the reader the impression that gender plays an important role in the poem as well as to the child's identity. The speaker then goes on to say this the protagonist was "born as usual." This refers to the cultural norms and standards to which this girl has been born into and is expected to uphold for the entirety of her life. The speaker next remarks that the protagonist was "presented dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy." This line contains two different stereotypes about women, the first being that all women are dainty, innocent individuals. Words like miniature and wee refer to the supposed inferiority that women have to men. In general, it is believed that men are superior not only physically but also intellectually, and therefore women are considered small. The second stereotype is that the only thing that women are good for is homemaking and child care. Why is it that the little girl is presented dolls, kitchen appliances, and cleaning supplies? More importantly, why is that "usual?" 

A recent New York Times article by Hiroko Tabuchi, titled "Sweeping Away Gender-Specific Toys and Labels," talks about the gender norms directed towards children which are pursued by marketers and advertisers. Some of the United States biggest, most advanced companies, like Walmart, Target, and Lego, are also some of the biggest offenders of this. Though some companies have recently begun to make strides in the right direction by offering some gender-neutral labels and unsegregated aisles there is still far too much that still needs to be done. Last year, Land's End released a clothing line of science themed shirts only for boys. The Toys "R" Us website still only sells pink Housekeeping and Ironing Board playsets, both listed under "girls' toys." These examples, though subtle and maybe sometimes overlooked, send a strong message to the youth of the country. By continuing these gender norms, we are teaching our children that there is a set of standards they must abide by and a limit on who and what they can be. 

Marge Piercy addressed these issues in 1973. We have known for decades that these stereotypes are harmful, particularly for children who are so easily so influenced. By doing nothing to end these, we are continuing to create generations of closed-minded people. If we raise another generation of people who judge those who choose not to live their lives according to these societal standard, we are ultimately failing ourselves because of failure to change.      

By looking at the poem, "Barbie Doll," in context it is easily to see that it is definitely a product of the second-wave of feminism through which Marge Piercy lived. The message of the poem aligns almost perfectly with the ideas of "The Redstockings Manifesto." It is, however, also relevant to the gender stereotypes and social expectations we have for girls from such a young age in today's society. The examples provided by the New York Times article convey the gender stereotypes and societal expectations which still prevail even in today's modern, forward-thinking, and politically correct society. 

