
Marge Piercy’s poem, Barbie Doll, was written in 1973, which was during a time when second-wave feminism was transforming American politics and culture. The movement focused broadly on social and cultural barriers, as well as equal opportunity. These issues are present in Piercy’s poem and could potentially remain relevant to today’s society, however, it is understood that the work is a product of the 1970’s, specifically. The gender roles placed on women and the body shaming shown towards them during the second-wave feminist movement are expressed not only in Piercy’s poem, but in other outside sources as well, including various articles. 

Tavaana’s article, “The 1960’s-70’s American Feminist Movement: Breaking Down Barriers for Women”, explains the gender roles placed on women during the time and how they worked to defeat them. From the beginning of the 1960’s, American women were limited in just about every way possible. They were born with a list of expectations, which included getting married in their early 20’s, starting a family, and devoting their life to homemaking. On average, women spent 55 hours doing work devoted to housekeeping and childcare. The 38 percent of those who actually had jobs were limited to being teachers, nurses, and secretaries. Only six percent of women accounted for American doctors, three percent of lawyers, and less than one percent of engineers. Their salaries were also lower than those of men, and they were denied any opportunity to advance. Women were highly dependent upon men due to these facts. Tavaana’s article quotes Betty Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique, which states, “I'm desperate. I begin to feel I have no personality. I'm a server of food and a putter-on of pants and a bedmaker, somebody who can be called on when you want something. But who am I?” This shows how women are practically stripped of their identities. Their lack of freedom and opportunity stop them from reaching and even exceeding their potential, as well as limit them from expressing themselves. Fortunately, by the late 1970’s, things began to change for the better. The efforts made through class action lawsuits, formal complaints, protests, and hearings in order to create legal change were successful. Gender discrimination in education, college sports, and obtaining financial credits was outlawed. There was no longer any sort of discrimination against pregnant women either, and abortion and birth control were finally legalized. Many great gains were eventually obtained, but the hardships women faced beforehand will always remain unforgettable.

From the beginning of Barbie Doll, one of the stereotypes and gender roles placed on women by society is recognized. Ever since the girl is born, she is presented with all of the usual toys and items that most are. The couple of toys mentioned are miniature GE stoves and irons, as well as “dolls that did pee-pee”. It is at a very young age that girls are learning their role in society. They spend time with these toys, thinking they are playing, but really, they are actually preparing and getting used to and exposed to the norms of grown women. As specified in Tavaana’s article, women devote their lives to housekeeping and caring for their children. Piercy successfully alludes to this fact in her poem. If it were a poem about men and their roles in society, the young boy would be presented with a much different set of toys. These toys might include toy stethoscopes or even building blocks to represent the jobs as doctors and engineers that they had the opportunity to possess, as oppose to women, also according to Tavaana’s article.

Not only were there a set of expectations placed on women and their role in society, but there was an expectation, or standard, placed on their physical appearance. Rehab’s article, “Body Image and BMI—100 Years in the U.S.”, explains women’s body image during the 1960’s and 1970’s, which is when the second-wave feminist movement occurred. During the 1960’s, the thin and androgynous look was in, as oppose to the rather curvaceous figures that were idealized in the 1950’s. A major supermodel during the time, who went by the name of Twiggy, possessed all of the physical characteristics of the idealized body type during the time. She was only 112 pounds with minimal chest, a slight frame, and short hair. The 1960’s beauty trend strayed away from the curvy and more mature look. This thin look and trend continued to dominate in the 1970’s, which actually began to impact the health and eating habits of women. Cases of anorexia nervosa and the use of diet pills came about, which had many negative effects. Actress Farrah Fawcett rose to be a sex symbol at the time, with her layered hair and one-piece swimsuits. Typically, long hair and minimal makeup was worn to create a “natural look”. A wide range of makeup looks were offered as the cosmetic industry diversified, taking advantage of these trends. 

The young girl in Barbie Doll faces the body shaming that many women suffered from during the time of the second-wave feminist movement. “You have a great big nose and fat legs”, a classmate says to her. The poem also quotes that, “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.” However, the only features people seemed to care about were what they would have considered to be flaws. During the time, the trend of being thin was in. Because the young girl does not match and live up to this idealized look, she is punished and bullied. The poem explains how the young girl is advised to exercise and even diet in an effort to reach the expectations placed upon women and their bodies. This sort of pressure is similar to the extremes women were influenced to go through, such as taking on anorexia nervosa and using diet pills, as stated in Rehab’s article. When the girl finally cuts off her nose and legs, then lies in the casket with cosmetics painted on and a turned-up putty nose, it is not until that moment that she is considered pretty. The harsh criticism put on by society pushes the girl to death, and there is no feeling of remorse shown towards what they put her through. All they can do is appreciate the fact that she is finally living up to the physical standards that have been set. This shows the hardships faced by many women as they attempt to fit in. It is disappointing that women are not accepted no matter what body shape or other physical features they possess. Piercy makes a huge point by pointing out how harsh society is towards women, especially during this time.

Overall, Marge Piercy makes a clear statement about society’s cruel expectations for women by pointing out the unfair gender roles placed on them, as well as the body shaming shown towards them. It is clear that during the time that her poem was written, women were being oppressed and denied the same rights as men. They were also forced to attempt to live up to the idealized looks at the time, pushing them to go through extreme measures. Tavaana’s article, “The 1960’s-70’s American Feminist Movement: Breaking Down Barriers for Women”, and Rehab’s article of “Body Image and BMI—100 Years in the U.S.”, shows and supports this claim. Piercy’s, Barbie Doll, was written to call out society on their unfair standards and to promote change and equal rights for all American women during the second-wave feminist movement. She successfully identifies the problems being faced, according to all of the information provided by outside sources. 
